Planting fish with green fodder to reduce fish cost
2025-09-21 07:32:55
With the ongoing rise in food prices, feed costs have also increased, leading to higher expenses for fish feed and reduced economic returns. To address this challenge, it is essential to reduce feed costs while maintaining efficient fish production. One effective strategy is to make full use of Tanggu, Chipo, and short-term idle fields by planting high-quality, high-yield green fodder for fish. The following technical measures outline how to successfully integrate grass cultivation with fish farming.
**Choosing Grass Seeds and Planting Timely**
To ensure a continuous supply of forage throughout the year, it's important to select high-yield grass varieties that can thrive in different seasons. A recommended approach is to allocate 300–400 square meters of grassland per mu of pond, which ensures sufficient feed for growing fish. In spring, alfalfa and ryegrass are ideal choices. These perennial grasses can be sown in both spring and autumn. For each mu of pond, plant 80–100 square meters of ryegrass, which starts supplying grass from early April and can be harvested three times by the end of June. Another round of ryegrass can be planted at the end of August or early September, providing grass from April onward, with one cut every 25 days, resulting in 3–4 harvests.
In summer, Sudan grass and hybrid pennisetum are excellent options. These grasses should be planted at 150–200 square meters per mu of pond and can be sown in stages. Early March planting allows for mid-June harvesting, followed by another round in early June for mid-July harvest. Each time the grass is cut, it should be fertilized promptly to encourage regrowth. This method not only maximizes yield but also ensures a steady supply of fresh forage for fish.
**Reasonable Fish Stocking Ratio**
When raising fish alongside grass, herbivorous species such as grass carp and silver carp should be the primary fish. These species efficiently consume the green fodder, promoting faster growth and lower mortality rates. While grass carp may grow slowly initially, they have strong feeding habits and are highly beneficial for increasing overall production. In contrast, omnivorous fish like loach, eel, and tilapia can help clean up leftover food and debris, improving pond hygiene. However, since these fish do not eat as much as grass carp, their stocking numbers should be adjusted accordingly.
Additionally, the manure produced by grazing fish helps enrich the water, reducing the need for additional feed. Therefore, maintaining a balanced stocking ratio is crucial for maximizing productivity and minimizing feed costs.
**Strengthening Feeding Management**
The amount of green feed provided daily should be adjusted based on weather conditions, water quality, and fish behavior. Typically, feeding occurs between 8–9 AM and 4–5 PM. If feeding time is shorter than usual, the next day’s portion should be increased accordingly. If the feed is not fully consumed or if the weather turns bad, the next day’s feeding should be reduced to avoid waste.
Any uneaten grass residue should be removed in the evening to prevent decay, which could deplete oxygen levels and harm water quality. When raising fish in grass plots, the water depth should be gradually increased by 15–20 cm, reaching a maximum of 2–2.5 meters by mid-June. Water should be replenished every 10 days, and in ponds with poor water quality or high stocking density, each water exchange should replace 20–30% of the original water. This helps maintain clear, healthy, and cool water conditions, with a transparency of around 30 cm and a pH level between 7 and 8.
By implementing these practices, farmers can effectively reduce feed costs, improve fish production, and promote sustainable aquaculture.
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