Artificial Propagation technique of cultivating Oncomelania hupensis

Oncomelania hupensis originated from the Amazon River Basin in South America and was introduced into China in 1981. Its meat is delicate and delicious, rich in protein, carotene, a variety of vitamins and minerals, is a delicacy on the table, because of low fat content, is a high-quality tonic for patients with hypertension and coronary heart disease. In addition, it is also the feed for some precious aquatic animals. Oncomelania hupensis has the advantages of large individual, wide diet, strong adaptability, fast growth and reproduction and high yield.

1. Male and female identification

There is no significant difference in the appearance of female and male snails, and it is difficult to distinguish the young snails. The most obvious difference of adult snails is that under the same feeding conditions, the female snails of the same age are generally larger than the male snails; the female snails are sunken in the center, while the male snails are protruding in the center and slightly concave around.

2. Selection and cultivation of parent snails.

Snail parents should choose individuals over 4 months old, large, intact and healthy, with a male-to-female ratio of 2 to 4. Snail breeding pool (concurrently used as spawning pool) can be soil pool, cement pool, ditch, etc., the area should not be too large, rectangular is better, the water depth is 30cm to 50cm, wood strips and bamboo chips are inserted around and the center of the pool for female snails to adhere to and spawn, there should be anti-escape facilities around the soil pool. The stocking density of snails is about 30 per square meter. In addition to feeding a sufficient amount of green feed every day, concentrate feed should also be given manually, and the daily feeding amount of concentrate is 0.5% of the total weight of the snail. Ensure fresh water quality and quiet environment during the cultivation period.

3. Egg collection and hatching

From March to November every year, male and female snails mate and lay eggs, and the eggs laid should be collected in time and hatched in another pond. The time of egg collection should not be too early, the premature egg block is too soft, it is not easy to peel off as a whole, and it should not be too late, the egg block has completely dried up too late, and it is easy to break the egg when peeling. Generally, it is ideal to collect eggs 10 to 20 hours after spawning, when the egg mass is not completely hardened. The collected eggs are placed on a net or bamboo sieve, covered with a layer of gauze, and hatched above the indoor basin. It can also be set up at 30cm to 50cm above the young snail culture pond to hatch, paying attention to shading from the sun and avoiding rain. The young snail will break out of the membrane and fall into the water when the red eggs turn pale and white. After 2 days, the top of the young snail will change from red to black and begin to feed.