Breeding crayfish at home with minimal investment. How to start a crayfish farm? At home

In the current economic conditions, a novice entrepreneur has every chance for a successful start of his own business. It is important to correctly prioritize and choose the scope of your efforts.

It is worth taking a closer look at such a type of business as crayfish breeding - a very interesting direction. According to static data, there is an increase in the consumption of this product, while the supply remains limited.

prospects

The bulk of arthropods on the market is caught from natural reservoirs, which leads to a significant decrease in their population. Industrial breeding of crayfish in our country is extremely poorly developed.

Thus, the competition in this segment is relatively low. The growth trend in demand for this type of product remains unchanged, which contributes to maintaining prices at a fairly high level.

Like any business, breeding crayfish will require an initial investment, the amount of which is determined by the scale of the plans. Before making a responsible decision to open a business, the technology, experience of organizing business at other enterprises and other issues are studied.

After a comprehensive analysis of their capabilities and preliminary calculations, a final decision is made and a plan of preparatory measures is drawn up.

Video - video of Sevan Crayfish LLC, which supplies live crayfish in Krasnodar:

Business plan preparation

The middle lane and the southern regions of our country are a natural habitat for crayfish, the cultivation of which is also possible in artificial conditions.

The habitat of arthropods are reservoirs with fairly clean water, rocky bottom and sandy shores.

Cultivation of crustaceans is carried out:

• in natural ponds, lakes or rivers;
• in reservoirs of artificial origin;
• in specially equipped aquariums.

Each of the options listed above has a number of features and will require different costs to start the project.

The easiest option is the first, where the initial investment will be minimal, however, and the profits are much smaller. The explanation for this is quite simple: for the correct and rapid development of crayfish, special environmental conditions will be required. The temperature drops in winter and water bodies freeze, while the optimum temperature for this process is about +16 C.

The best conditions for breeding crayfish can be created in aquariums, but the latter have serious volume limitations. This option will require the highest costs for the purchase of a whole range of equipment, the lease of premises of a sufficiently large area equipped with a heating system.

Medium in terms of cost - an artificial reservoir for breeding crayfish, located near the river.

In addition to the pond, young growth or larvae, feed, equipment and materials will be required. An entrepreneur starting this type of business does not have to count on a quick return on investment.

Practice and statistics show that the return on investment occurs approximately 5-7 years from the start of the project and reaching the planned level of production.

Organizing a crayfish farm

The first step is to attend to the registration of a newly created enterprise. One of the most common legal forms of business organization in our country is. The easiest way to create an enterprise is to contact a law firm, where a package of necessary documents will be prepared for a relatively small fee.

The field of activity in accordance with the legal framework of OKVED has the code 0.121 - breeding and sale of crustaceans, fish and mollusks. When organizing an LLC, the authorized capital of the enterprise is contributed, the minimum amount is 10 thousand rubles. The created company is registered in the tax office and in all off-budget funds. After that, you can start business activities.

The next step is the selection of a suitable reservoir for breeding crayfish and its improvement. This is a responsible process that determines the success of the entire enterprise; the main thing depends on the quality of the implementation of this stage, whether favorable conditions for the life and reproduction of arthropods will be created.

Experts recommend: to cover the bottom of the pond with a special polymer film, which reliably isolates the reservoir from the ingress of harmful substances from the soil into it. The material has high strength and will last at least 25 years if properly installed.

The next step in the organization of the farm will be the acquisition of the necessary equipment for breeding crayfish. The complete set includes:

Experienced entrepreneurs arrange a system of three or more reservoirs that communicate with each other. This contributes to an increase in the production of crustaceans and better selection of species. To reduce the impact of the external environment over the reservoirs, an overlap is arranged by the type of greenhouses made of polycarbonate.

As the reservoirs are ready, larvae or young crustaceans are purchased, as well as feed in estimated quantities. The best implementation of the preparatory measures will create the best conditions for the start, and subsequently the development of the business.

Where to buy crayfish for breeding

The current practice in our country involves certain difficulties in acquiring the necessary amount of living material for settling water bodies.

Existing farms are extremely reluctant to sell larvae or young. The way out may be the acquisition of adults based on the ratio of two females to one male. Mating of crustaceans takes place in autumn; a fertilized female can be easily identified by the presence of eggs in a special bag under the tail.

The climatic conditions of the middle zone are quite acceptable for different types of arthropods. One of the promising species is the Australian red claw crayfish, the breeding of which can bring a good income.

The meat of this arthropod species is similar in taste and structure to sea lobsters, one of the most expensive delicacies. In our country, there is experience of successful breeding of these crustaceans on a specialized farm near Astrakhan.

Video - experiments on growing Australian crayfish near Astrakhan:

The most accessible species of arthropods in our country are common crayfish. Their purchase is possible even in the supermarket, the main thing is that they are alive and healthy.

For an accurate answer to the question of where to buy crayfish for breeding, you should carefully study the offers from working and developing farms.

Recently, crayfish holding farms have been developing near large cities, which buy crayfish in other regions and supply them to retail chains and restaurants.

Video report from a farm near St. Petersburg, which supplies crayfish from various regions of Russia and abroad:

Breeding technology

In the pond

In this section, we are talking about an artificial reservoir, which needs careful preparation before starting the livestock. In addition to preparing the bottom, a number of operations are performed:

• A protective edge is constructed around the pond and a drainage drain is made on its outer side. This is necessary to prevent rain runoff and debris from entering the pond.
• Trees are planted along the banks, one of the best species is the weeping willow, which will create shade.
• It is necessary to provide different depths of the pond: near the shore - about 0.4 m in the middle up to 3 m.

The maximum allowable number of adult crayfish per square meter of pond area should not exceed 5 units. Before the settling of the descent reservoir, it is filled, after which the water is given time to settle for a period of at least two weeks, and preferably one month.

Upon the readiness of the reservoir, instrumental monitoring of water quality for nitrate content is carried out; for arthropods, exceeding the maximum allowable doses is detrimental.

With proper arrangement of the pond, crayfish do not need additional feeding, there is enough plankton, algae or larvae in the water.

To accelerate the growth of individuals, vegetable trimmings, compound feed, meat and fish waste, as well as cereals soaked in water are carried out. Feeding is carried out using special bottom devices that are removed from the water after a certain time.

This avoids contamination of the pond water, which can have a detrimental effect on the livestock and lead to the death of part of it. Strict adherence to the recommendations of specialists and the use of a full range of equipment to maintain optimal conditions for the life of crayfish will quickly achieve good performance.

In special aquariums

In artificially created environmental conditions, it is quite possible to achieve year-round growth of arthropods. For their maintenance, tanks of a special design with a capacity of at least 250 liters are required.

The bottom of the tank is covered with sand mixed with stones, snags are laid on them, which serve as natural shelters for crayfish during the period of gestation and laying eggs.

Crustaceans are extremely sensitive to water quality, the aquariums used must meet very stringent requirements. First, the possibility of contact of water with the frame metal should be excluded. Secondly, the tank must be equipped with a water supply system from the bottom. Thirdly, the installation of water filtration, aeration and oxidation systems will be required.

Two weeks before settling, the aquariums are filled with water and plants are planted in the ground. After that, crayfish are lowered into the tank at the rate of one individual should be at least 5 liters of water.

The technology of breeding crayfish in artificial conditions provides for the maintenance of decorative rocks such as Cuban blue. They are a great decoration for a home aquarium, but before you start, you need to take care of a little marketing research. An agreement with large pet stores will facilitate the accelerated sale of grown products.

At home

This type of business on a relatively small scale can be done at home. To organize such a business, the technology of home breeding of crayfish in pools or aquariums is best suited.

Each of the proposed options has its own specifics and will require the investment of certain amounts to purchase everything necessary and carry out a number of construction works.

The organization of breeding arthropods in aquariums is described above and there is no point in repeating. Let us dwell on the technology of growing crayfish in specially equipped pools in a country house or on a site near a country house.

At the stage of preliminary preparation, it is necessary to assess the possibilities of the land plot for the placement of an artificial reservoir with an area of ​​at least 30 square meters. m and the performance of the water source.

For home breeding of crayfish, you will need not the usual rectangular pool with a flat bottom and vertical walls, but a reservoir with slightly different parameters.

Requirements for an artificial pond:

• The most rational form is a circle or an oval with a diameter of 6 to 10 m, the bottom should look like a bowl with a maximum depth of 1.5-2 m in its center.
• The bottom must be lined with a special film.
• The pool is equipped with all systems that provide circulation, purification and saturation of water with oxygen.
• A drainage system is being installed along the shore of the pool to drain stormwater.
• Devices are installed around the artificial reservoir to ensure shading of coastal areas

Such a pool for breeding crayfish can also be dug manually on your own or with the involvement of professional excavators. The amount of work is quite significant, but quite feasible.

The bottom of the pool is covered with river sand and stones and driftwood are scattered over it. Among other things, the necessary equipment is installed. The presence of overlapping and water heating systems in winter will increase the productivity of the pond.

Crustaceans in artificially created conditions grow and multiply faster. This is explained quite simply: arthropods do not hibernate and the process of reproduction of offspring is greatly accelerated.

The presence of several ponds, at least three, and preferably four five - on one site makes it possible to increase the yield of finished products.

Breeding crayfish in a country house will help you gain invaluable experience and get acquainted with the technology.

Organizing a crayfish farm at home is usually only the first step in starting a farm. Having tested the technologies and methods of growing gourmet products in relatively small volumes, and having gained the necessary experience, it will be possible to think about expanding the business. Such a business approach will help to avoid significant losses in future endeavors.

The article intentionally did not give examples, in different regions they can vary greatly.

The main thing is that crayfish breeding as a business is a rather promising business, promising a high level of profitability. When organizing and preparing a project for launch, it is important to carefully and responsibly treat the recommendations of specialists.

Video - how crayfish are bred in Louisiana:

Growing crayfish at home brings its owner a guaranteed income, because the demand for them is constantly growing. With little competition, you can make big profits. Of course, you won’t be able to immediately count on large sums, because the payback of the enterprise begins in a few years. But despite this, the crayfish business is quite profitable.

Who is this business for?

Breeding crayfish is suitable for both rural and urban areas. Due to the fact that crayfish can be grown in various environments, for example, ponds or home aquariums, this business finds its fans. It is enough to decide how the habitat will be equipped, and having studied the necessary literature, you can organize a business that will bring a stable income to its owner for many years.

Crayfish breeding

Breeding crayfish at home for sale can be done in several ways:

• in the basement;
• in reservoirs;
• in aquariums.

Growing in the basement

Growing crayfish in the basement has a huge plus - it's an underground climate, which is most welcome in this matter. They have a beneficial effect on the development of cancers. Any selected basement must meet the following requirements:

1. The temperature regime of the room where the lowest temperature indicator will not reach -1 degrees, but rather +15. At the first temperature value, the crayfish will not die, but they will not be able to multiply under such conditions, and in the second case, they can grow comfortably.
2. The presence of three containers, with a large volume. The material for these containers should be safe for crustaceans, plastic or plexiglass is considered the most suitable. At the bottom of each container, a certain habitat is created, as close as possible to the real one. To do this, sand, stones and clay are poured onto the bottom, the thickness of the clay layer should be sufficient for digging minks.
3. The presence of cleaning filters. The water in these containers must be purified within 24 hours. If the cleaning procedure is carried out manually, this slows down the growth of crustaceans, and small individuals generally die.
4. Complete set of equipment for catching and transporting crustaceans.
5. The presence of an oxygen generator with an oximeter.
6. Feed.
7. Artificial conditions of detention imply dense placement of all individuals, therefore, a situation often arises when large crayfish eat babies. To avoid this, large crayfish are transplanted into another tank. For this, the use of three containers is intended.

Growing in ponds

In order to breed crayfish in ponds or other bodies of water, it is necessary to comply with certain requirements and conditions of detention, otherwise the process will not bring the desired result.

Terms:

• a lake or pond that will only be used for crustaceans. To populate the first batch of crayfish there, it is necessary to prepare favorable conditions for them, clean the reservoir, remove fish that are predators, and prepare a favorable bottom surface;
• The reservoir is divided into three equal parts. As in the case of containers, each part is intended for a certain category of crayfish, in the first part - fry, in the second part - growing individuals and in the third part - adults;
• Be sure to consider changing the water. For this, drain pipes and supply pipes are equipped. If there is a river nearby, then the replenishment of the reservoir can be done using a pump. Water changes should take place at least once a month. At one time, 30% of the entire reservoir should change, the same amount of water is added. A larger percentage is not recommended to be changed, otherwise the microclimate in the reservoir can be disturbed and the crayfish will die;
• strict adherence to the density of planting individuals. The optimal amount per 1 sq. m. is 5–7 pieces. Usually there is an excess of these standards, but at the very beginning of the business, it is better not to rush and clearly fulfill all the requirements of the content.

Read also: How to start raising pigs as a business and how to succeed

For breeding, it is necessary to select fast-growing breeds that are specially bred for artificial maintenance. One female, during the season, brings about 30 individuals, which will reach a marketable appearance only after 6 years.

Benefits include the following:

• small costs for the arrangement of a pond or reservoir;
• thanks to the natural food in the pond, the consumption of purchased food is reduced;
• during the entire period of growth, there is no large labor costs on the part of the owner.

But there are also disadvantages:

• this breeding method is not suitable for all regions, but only for those where there are no severe winters, and the water will not freeze in winter;
• long payback period of the business;
• low density criteria per 1 sq. m.

Growing in an aquarium

Crayfish breeding in an aquarium as a business involves the creation of artificial habitats. A properly created microclimate, which will be constant regardless of the season, will allow you to receive a stable and uninterrupted income.

The crayfish farm is quite simple - you need to take care of aquariums, the capacity of which reaches 250 liters. At the bottom there are stones, sand, snags, this will bring the living conditions as close as possible to natural ones. For 1 sq. m. in conditions of aquarium breeding, 350 individuals are allowed.

To understand what factors affect the readiness of breeding females, the following should be noted:

1. The number of trace elements and the level of acidity in the artificial habitat. Usually, one aquarium is allocated for mating, the volume of which must be at least 200 liters. Mating time is autumn.
2. To get the long-awaited offspring, you must adhere to one rule: there must be twice as many females as males.
3. The female always carries the laid eggs with her on her paws, so the eggs are constantly in close contact with the mother. After the babies have appeared, they are immediately separated from large individuals in order to avoid their death. Some of the young die during the natural process of molting, and those that remain successfully grow to the desired size.

In order for the business to flourish, it is necessary to expand the volumes, and at home it is unlikely that a large number of such aquariums will be placed. The best place for breeding crayfish will be a home basement. Usually this place is littered with unnecessary things, and by equipping it for a business, you can get quite a lot of profit.

In the basement, the most favorable conditions for the reproduction and cultivation of crustaceans, additional heating and lighting are not needed, it is only necessary to equip special shelves on which aquariums will be placed.

Purchase and transportation

To start a business, you will need the crayfish themselves, which you can buy or catch yourself. The ideal option is to purchase crayfish larvae, but this is not always possible. More often it turns out to acquire adults and raise their offspring. In principle, it does not matter where you get the material for breeding, the main thing is that the proportion of male: female is 1: 2. It is better to postpone the time for buying crayfish until autumn, when the mating process begins, and you can easily distinguish where the female is and where the male is. Females will have eggs under their tails.

For the transportation of crayfish, the dark time of the day is selected, at this time it is especially comfortable for them. Special attention is paid to females with caviar, discomfort can negatively affect future offspring.

Wooden boxes are used for transportation. Crayfish are laid out on their backs in prepared containers. Depending on the height of the box, you can put several rows of crayfish, but no more than 20 pieces. for 1 decimeter.

Breeding crayfish at home can become quite a promising and profitable business in the conditions of Russian reality, since today this industry is still free from a large number of competitors. Probably, many of those who have ever tasted tender crayfish meat will prefer to continue to eat this delicacy, so the constant demand for the product is almost guaranteed.

But where to start, having some capital and a great desire to become a breeder of tasty and appetizing arthropods? Which animal species to choose and how to create a habitat for them? Consider step by step the process of organizing business activities aimed at growing crayfish and their subsequent sale.

Pros and cons of breeding crayfish at home

Before you go all out and run to buy an aquarium or dig a pond to populate it with expensive claw dwellers, it is worth analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of such a business.

The advantages include the following points:

• One-time significant investment- they are needed only at the beginning of the activity, and the amount will depend on the planned scale. Why? Nothing complicated: some breed crayfish at home - in an aquarium, while others - in artificial reservoirs. Agree, the costs for the first and second are significantly different, which means that the entrepreneur himself is free to decide how much financial resources he is ready to invest in the business. It is quite possible to organize your own.
• Development prospects- having mastered a new area and having dealt with all the nuances, you can think about scaling up activities, which will significantly increase profits. It is quite possible to expand in this area, since there are still very few competitors, and it is not difficult to find distribution channels.
• No need to maintain a large staff of workers- breeding crayfish at home is usually labor-intensive only at the start, that is, when laying a kind of foundation for a business, including registering a legal entity or individual entrepreneur, creating a reservoir, buying the first inhabitants, etc. Then, when the matter is settled, everything will go like on rails, without causing serious problems.
• High profit- crayfish meat is considered a delicacy, therefore the prices for these arthropods are impressive in their size, therefore, breeders with well-organized activities, as a rule, have a large income.

Important: however, not everything is as rosy as it seems at first glance, otherwise every second would grow crayfish at home. However, there are not too many cons. For example, they include the seasonality of product sales. But it also takes place only if crayfish are bred in their natural habitat. Also, as an obstacle that does not allow you to join the business, you can identify the significant financial costs required at the initial stage. Although, on the other hand, no one forces you to immediately dig ponds and purchase RAS, and buying an aquarium is a very budget option.

Breeding crayfish at home as a business

Now many aspiring entrepreneurs are realizing that growing crayfish is very promising in Russia, as well as, since there are negligible competitors, especially compared to other states. Crayfish have always been found in the reservoirs of our country, and in pre-revolutionary times they were also bred in an artificially created environment, sending meat for export throughout Europe. But today, the main suppliers providing the world market with delicacy arthropods are China, Turkey and Spain ... and the flag, as they say, is in their hands, but it’s only surprising that before there were no crayfish at all. That is, by initiating a crayfish breeding business at home, one can dream of covering not only Russia in the future, but also establishing sales channels abroad if things go uphill.

Let's take a step-by-step look at how to create your own business, aimed at making a profit by selling carefully grown crayfish.

Business registration

Currently, any activity aimed at generating income, according to the law, must be formalized and registered accordingly. The creation of a crayfish farm is no exception. Of course, a businessman has the right to independently choose an organizational form - there are two options:

• OOO– limited liability company;
• IP- individual entrepreneur.

Advice: how to decide what is right for you? Probably, it is necessary to analyze the differences between LLC and IP. A feature of the latter is that in the event of the formation of debts (and no one is safe from this, and it is worth thinking about the possibilities of collapse in advance), an individual entrepreneur is liable for obligations with all his property - an apartment, a car, and a summer house. An LLC risks only assets and authorized capital, the minimum amount of which today is 10 thousand rubles. Also, an LLC has another advantage - it allows you to attract investors and partners to the business.

Thus, when choosing a legal form, you should pay attention to the planned scale of the business - if you want to become a small fish in the business world, then an individual entrepreneur is quite suitable, and in the case when you see yourself as a future shark -. Although, in fact, with any option, LLCs have fewer problems - both in terms of risk and in terms of development prospects.

Important: when registering a business, it is necessary to determine the taxation system. Here, the UAT (single agricultural tax) would be the best solution. The payment amount is calculated according to the formula: Tax rate (6%) x Tax base (revenues less expenses).

This is a very profitable system due to the low tax rate, thanks to which the state supports those who are engaged in farming. However, there is one limitation - income from agricultural activities must exceed 70%.

Also, when registering your own crayfish breeding business at home, you need to select the codes for the types of activities that suit you according to OKVED and indicate them in the documents. In the case of breeding crayfish, the following will do:

• 01.49.5 - Breeding of domestic animals;
• 46.38 - Wholesale trade in other foodstuffs, including fish, crustaceans and mollusks;
• 47.23 - Retail sale of fish, crustaceans and mollusks in specialized stores.

Determination of the method of breeding crayfish

After completing all the bureaucratic procedures, you can legally breed crayfish at home with a view to their subsequent sale. But here the question arises - where to keep the future product? It all depends on the financial capabilities and plans of the businessman, since there are several options for growing arthropods:

Pond

Almost any body of water can be suitable for crayfish, with the exception of those that are characterized by significant waterlogging or a large amount of silt. Animals will also live well in fish ponds if there are no predators among their neighbors. The advantage of this method of growing arthropods is that the pond is a completely stable aquatic system, which means that the process of purification and renewal in it is regulated by nature itself, therefore, it is really possible to save a lot on equipment (filters, aerators, etc.), as well as on feed because in the ponds, crayfish eat algae and a variety of insect larvae. Of course, additional feeding is necessary, but the costs will still decrease. However, the option under consideration also has a significant disadvantage - the growth of crayfish in the natural environment is very slow: they gain marketable mass only in the fifth or sixth year. That is, profits will have to wait a long time. The number of individuals that can be launched into the pond is quite small - 6-8 crustaceans per square meter of the reservoir.

Important: at low temperatures, crayfish become indifferent to food, stop eating and do not gain weight, that is, they plunge into a state of suspended animation. And for Russia, winter cold is a constant component, so when raising animals outdoors, one must keep in mind that their growth will take a long time.

Aquarium

Undoubtedly, this method of breeding crayfish at home requires huge containers. It is believed that the volume of the aquarium should not be less than at least 250 liters. The "house" for the inhabitants must be equipped - pour a little soil on the bottom, place stones there, as well as snags that will serve as animal shelter. If the temperature is maintained at an optimal level (18-23 degrees), then the crayfish will not hibernate and grow quickly, especially when creating comfortable conditions in the aquarium - ensuring water filtration and oxygen saturation. The advantage of this option is that up to 50 crustaceans are allowed to settle per square meter of "living space". But there is also a minus - the area is limited, which means that up to industrial volumes as to the moon.

Advice: crustacean larvae can be grown at home (in an aquarium) to the stage of fingerlings, and then transferred to a pond or a specially equipped pool. In order for larval survival to be high, it is very important to constantly monitor water quality and temperature.

Basement

If a businessman is the happy owner of his own cottage, then a basement can be allocated for breeding crayfish at home. Agree, often it plays the role of a repository of all unnecessary rubbish, and few are able to make it a source of income. To some extent, this method is a modification of the previous one, the only difference is the use of non-residential premises, although the scale of activity usually increases, because it is easy to place several aquariums in the basement, which, as a rule, are installed on special structures consisting of tiers. A significant advantage of growing crustaceans at home, namely in the basement, is that you do not have to clutter up an apartment or house with water tanks of considerable volume.

Advice: most likely, it will be necessary to insulate the basement, since sometimes in such rooms the temperature drops below 17 degrees, which means that animals can hibernate, stopping weight gain. You will also need to take care of lighting. However, there are no special requirements here - two or three standard light bulbs on the ceiling are enough.

RAS

RAS (recirculating water systems) refers to special equipment designed for the cultivation of crustaceans and fish. The undoubted advantages include the fact that it will take half the time to recruit the commercial mass of animals - crayfish in RAS can grow to the required size in two years (sometimes one), while in the natural environment it will take about five years. The modern market offers entrepreneurs wonderful options equipped with heating, aeration, disinfection and water purification systems. Such installations are often located in basements, garages - any insulated rooms where the temperature does not drop below 10 degrees.

Purchase of equipment

The equipment required for the farm will depend on the chosen format of activity - you can try to earn money at home, or go to the industrial level. If you have serious plans and have the opportunity to make the necessary calculations, then you should try to get, and buy equipment with this money. Consider what will be required for those who prefer to keep up with progress and have opted for RAS. A special recirculating water supply installation is a frame containing several tiers, each of which has pools. Usually one container is not populated by tenants, but left under the "equipment". Her list looks like this:

• Circulation pump;
• Filters;
• Sterilizer (ultraviolet lamp);
• Compressor used to aerate water;
• heating elements.

Important: if you take a responsible approach to the issue of breeding crayfish at home, then it is best to purchase an oximeter, which determines how oxygenated the water is. You can not do without instruments that measure temperature and analyze the water composition. Well, you can remember the little things: feeders, electronic scales, lamps, shelters for animals, etc.

Choosing a type of crayfish

After the issue with the habitat of crayfish is resolved, you should think about what species of animals to settle there. Breeding crayfish at home involves the initial acquisition of male and female individuals. Some farmers do not particularly bother with the selection and purchase of future residents of an aquarium or reservoir, but simply take females from natural ponds and carefully transport them to a new home. But future entrepreneurs should be aware that there are several varieties of crayfish, and they all have their own characteristics.

blue cuban- it is rather non-capricious, so it is easy to grow it at home or in open ponds and pools, but it needs a temperature above 25 degrees and systematic feeding. It is extremely profitable to breed such crayfish, since they grow very quickly - the mass required for sale can be achieved in just 6 months, and the length of the animal's body ranges from 6 to 12 centimeters (without claws), although sometimes there are large individuals (about 15 centimeters).

Marble- quite fastidious: thermophilic and has an excellent appetite, so it will have to be fed plentifully and often. Individuals grow, as a rule, large (up to 15 centimeters). Breeding such animals at home usually brings a good profit, as their breed is considered elite.

Australian- it is also called the "red claw" for the corresponding color of the claws. On the world market, it is perceived as a high-quality delicacy, similar in taste to lobsters. It is logical that the price of the product will also please farmers. Breeding such arthropods at home is not too difficult to organize - they are not picky about food, but they love warmth and need a large number of various minks where they can hide after eating or sleeping.

European river- in Russia, it is most often bred because of the unpretentiousness and ease of cultivation, which can be carried out in open water. Animals are divided into broad-toed and long-toed.

Development of a forage base

Of course, anyone who plans to make money selling their own home-grown crustaceans understands that they need to be well fed. With what? After all, the goal of the entrepreneur is for them to quickly gain “commodity” weight. In fact, food largely depends on the type of inhabitants of the pond or aquarium, but the general principles in the nutrition of crayfish can still be formulated. It is easy to buy food in specialized stores or cook at home. Usually the diet consists of the following products:

• Meat and fish, ground into minced meat or cut into pieces;
• Seaweed;
• Earthworms, various larvae, snails and plankton;
• Cereal crops (corn, barley, wheat, etc.);
• Vegetables that are high in fiber (potatoes, carrots, etc.);
• Chopped and steamed hay;
• Oak leaves (they are a natural antiseptic).

For the meal of crayfish, it is convenient to use special feeders - lattice cells where food is placed. Their use allows you to slightly push back the moment when water purification becomes a necessity.

Important: of course, most businessmen strive to quickly grow animals to a size that allows them to start selling, but it’s still not worth feeding arthropods - food residues pollute the reservoir, which can lead to additional costs for its cleansing or diseases of the inhabitants. Lack of food, like excess, is fraught with problems - if the crayfish are constantly hungry, they will not only stop gaining mass, but will also start to fight, tearing off each other's claws and damaging the shells, and this will significantly affect their presentation.

Search for distribution channels

One of the main advantages of breeding crayfish at home is the lack of difficulty in finding outlets. Why? Little competition. That is, businessmen will offer the market an almost scarce product that is popular, in demand because of its good taste - and who would not want to enjoy the tender and exotic meat of the animals in question? How about with beer? This means that demand will not be long in coming, especially if it is possible to carry out wholesale deliveries. Consider a sample list of organizations that are most likely to be interested in a delicatessen product:

• fish markets;
• Restaurants, cafes, sports bars;
• Saunas and baths;
• Hotels and holiday homes;
• Retail Stores.

Advice: in addition to crayfish meat, you can sell their caviar - many say that in salty form it is not at all inferior in taste to red caviar. Chitinous shells are also a valuable commodity - they, ground into powder, are often used in the cosmetic and medical fields due to the content of rare substances that promote tissue regeneration.

Breeding and growing crayfish as an idea for a business - video

Frequently asked Questions

Starting a crayfish breeding business at home is fraught with many questions for beginners in this business. Let's answer the most common ones.

Is it profitable to breed crayfish at home?

If an entrepreneur does not plan to acquire a whole RAS complex or a farm consisting of several ponds, then you should not count on a huge and quick income. It will take a long time to wait for profit - in the natural environment, animals gain mass, which allows them to start selling, very slowly (several years). Under artificial conditions, it is realistic to grow crustaceans in a year or two. Prices for the product vary significantly depending on the weight of one piece, although the sale is usually carried out in kilograms. Approximate wholesale prices can be found in the table:

It is clearly seen that the prices for crayfish are quite high, since they are perceived as an elite product. It is not difficult to find distribution channels, so the entrepreneur will not be left without profit. Significant capital investments will be required only at the start - the purchase of aquariums or RAS, equipment, etc. Their amount will be affected by the planned scale of activity. The only drawback is the waiting time for income, because you have to be patient until the animals grow up. That is, for starters, breeding crayfish at home can be considered as an additional source of income, because the payback will come only after a few years (depending on the method of breeding arthropods).

How Do Crayfish Reproduce?

Crayfish in nature mate in autumn - in September-October. In the natural environment, the female sticks eggs in the tail area and carries them during hibernation. If the reservoir warms up, then such a pause will not occur, which will have a beneficial effect on the growth of livestock - the breeding cycle will take about two months instead of six months. Typically, the clutch consists of 150-500 eggs, but most of them die quickly. An average of 30-60 larvae survive, which actively increase their mass and very soon begin to get their own food. In artificial and domestic conditions, farmers will be able to save the lives of almost all small crustaceans (up to 90%) if they are well fed and protected from adults, since the animals in question are characterized by cannibalism - they can eat their own kind. In nature, the survival rate is several times lower - about 20%.

Important: at the beginning of growth, crayfish often molt, that is, they shed the old shell, which becomes corny small. This happens up to six to eight times in the first year. Then the molting process slows down - the shell is updated two or three times a year. Of course, all crayfish cannot “change clothes” at the same time, so there are always very small and adult individuals in the reservoirs. If the farmer does not want to find out one day that all the babies are eaten by large animals, then the latter should be planted in other containers in order to avoid sad cases. Molting is a difficult process for crustaceans, because as a result they become completely defenseless. But to help in this case is simple - you need to organize as many shelters as possible for them: place stones, driftwood, pipe trimmings and similar things in a pond or aquarium.

Do cancers get sick?

Possible ailments are the worst thing for everyone who deals with animals (whether it be crustaceans or crustaceans, it doesn’t matter). After all, then it is easy to completely lose the livestock grown with difficulty. Crustaceans are not immune from the following types of diseases:

Breeding crayfish at home is a relevant and profitable business, but the first profit will not go into the farmer's pocket quickly. Of course, basing a business on raising animals is always somewhat risky, as they can suddenly fall ill, negating a lot of effort. But, in the end, any kind of entrepreneurial activity is not immune from failure.

Most likely, the game is worth the candle, since now the competition in this area is negligible, which means that the chances of success are very high. The main thing is to responsibly take care of the inhabitants of reservoirs or aquariums: feed well, control the purity, quality and temperature of the water, monitor the breeding process and create the necessary conditions in the form of a large number of shelters.

Do not know how to make money, what business is most profitable to develop? Open a crayfish farm! This type of business will suit you, especially if you yourself like to eat the meat of these animals.

The relevance of this business

People have been using crayfish as food for a long time, adding them to various recipes or eating them as an independent dish with a foamy drink. Anyone who has tried crayfish meat at least once knows how pleasant and delicate it tastes. It is due to its taste that this type of product will always be in demand.

The idea of ​​breeding crayfish is very beneficial. This type of business does not require special investments and at the same time brings a huge income for a whole six months, and on an industrial scale - even all year round. In Russia, crayfish breeding is practically not mastered, so you have a wide range for the implementation of your business idea.

In pre-revolutionary times, Russia was already engaged in the crayfish business, but it consisted only in catching, and not in growing. Later, artificial crayfish farms began to appear, which began to supply meat to the states of Europe.

Types of crayfish for breeding

Far Eastern and European types of crayfish are widespread in Russia. If you plan to put your business on stream, then the European look will suit you.

European, in turn, are divided into long-toed and broad-toed. Broad-toed crayfish are a very valuable species. In cooking, they are called "crayfish necks". But this type of crayfish is listed in the Red Book, so for business it is better to take long-toed individuals so that there are no problems with supervisory authorities.

There is also a division into lake and river crayfish. Lake crayfish are suitable for growing crayfish at home: they usually do not fall asleep and reach quite large sizes. Their only drawback is capriciousness: you will need a very warm room of at least 20 square meters to maintain this type.

Almost all types of crayfish are not large in size, but they are unpretentious to living conditions and are inexpensive.

Where to buy?

Finding crayfish larvae is not so easy. Most likely, you will have to raise the young on your own. You can buy the first copies in the supermarket. Buy two females for each male. If you do not want to spend money on a purchase, you can catch crayfish yourself in reservoirs.

Features of reproduction, molting and diseases of crayfish

• Crayfish mate in autumn (September, October). In late spring, females can be distinguished from males by the presence of eggs under the tail.
• The female cannot produce more than 20 crustaceans per year.
• Young crayfish molt about eight times a year. Adults - 1-2 times a year. When molting, it is necessary to ensure the safety of animals, since without a shell they become vulnerable to predators.
• The most dangerous cancer diseases are burn and plague. Make sure that pathogenic fungi do not develop in the water, otherwise the entire brood of crayfish will die.

Breeding sites

At the moment, there are two places for breeding crayfish - a pond and an aquarium.

Growing crayfish in a pond

A pond is a formed stable ecosystem with its inhabitants and conditions. He is able to update.

The main disadvantages of this breeding site:

• the pond freezes for the winter, while the crayfish hibernate, as the water temperature drops below 15 degrees. If the pond freezes to the bottom, then the living creatures will simply die;
• crayfish grow slowly in natural conditions, gaining the mass necessary for sale only in the fifth year.

What can be done when breeding in a pond?

• The first step is to clean the reservoir of pollution, as crayfish prefer clean water.
• You can not destroy non-predatory fish-neighbors of crayfish in the pond.

Video about breeding crayfish in the pond

Aquariums: keeping crayfish at home

• The minimum aquarium size is 250 liters.
• Soil should be poured to the bottom, pebbles and decorations should be placed so that the crayfish can hide there.
• Fill with water, ensure its filtration and purification.

Incubation ponds and aquariums

• Equip aquariums with filters and heaters.
• Organize elongated ponds with dimensions of at least 25 square meters and a depth of 2 meters.
• It is necessary that the water in the pond is flowing. It is very important that a river flows nearby. If this is not possible, water wells should be drilled.
• Place shelters at the bottom of the pond so that the crayfish can hide.

Necessary equipment for breeding crayfish

Maintenance and care requirements

Requirements for living conditions

• The water where crayfish live must be clean. Its temperature cannot be lower than 15 degrees, otherwise the animals will hibernate.
• The number of individuals per 1 square meter should not exceed 350 pieces.
• In one reservoir it is impossible to contain crayfish of different species.

Feeding

In order for the crayfish to correspond to the presentation and weight, it is necessary to properly organize their nutrition. The daily intake of food for one individual should be 4-5% of its weight.

What is good for food?

• Earthworms.
• Insect larvae.
• Snails.
• Steamed and crushed grains.
• Boiled potatoes.
• Shredded carrots.

Delivery of finished products

First you need to find potential customers who could buy your products. Call the nearest restaurants and catering points, test the soil. If your services are not needed, you can always start to supply the goods to the market by selling them to fishmongers.

You can also offer your friends grown goods. These same acquaintances can advise you to someone else - this is how you will earn your first profit.

Profitability of a mini-farm for growing crayfish

Even having a large profit from this activity, it must be borne in mind that this type of business is seasonal.

There is practically no competition in this type of business, so you can quickly find a buyer for your products and get your coveted profit.

To get a ton of crayfish in a few years, it will take about 600 individuals. All the main costs fall just at the start of the business.

The equipment of the reservoir and the purchase of the first batch of individuals will take about 170 thousand rubles. (20 thousand rubles for crayfish, the rest - for equipment for growing crayfish). Having invested 200 thousand rubles. in business, in two years you will earn the first million. These are all conditional figures, consider the price of selling crayfish when calculating expenses and income.

• It is cheaper to breed crayfish in a ready-made reservoir, but there is a risk of sinking the business due to weather conditions.
• You can start your own business by growing underyearlings (crayfish larvae) in an aquarium first, and then transplanting them into a pond.
• Avoid sudden changes in the temperature of the water in which the crayfish live, as well as its hypothermia.
• Choose one type of crayfish for business, as individuals of different categories do not get along with each other.
• Monitor the health of individuals. Cancers are prone to fungal diseases.
• Do not overfeed animals.
• Males should be half as many as females.
• Constantly monitor the quality of the water in which the crayfish live.

Don't think that growing crayfish is easy. This business will be profitable only when all the conditions for breeding and living animals are met. Don't expect a quick turnaround.

Breeding crayfish in a private area is a simple and profitable business. To grow arthropods at home, you need to acquire a reservoir and maintain minimally comfortable conditions for its inhabitants. Experts give recommendations on where to start and how best to build the process of growing crayfish. And video tips will help you figure it out in more detail.

Fundamentals of breeding crayfish. Preparatory work

The whole process of growing crayfish can be adjusted with minimal financial investment. Here's where you'll have to be patient. Crayfish grow over 2-3 years. Accordingly, starting from scratch, until this time you will not receive any delicacy meat or profit. But you will need to constantly feed the animals, take care of them.

The efficiency of the process is affected by the quality of the crayfish used for reproduction:

1. For breeding, it is better to use purchased thoroughbreds. Crayfish caught in an ordinary pond grow more slowly.
2. You should buy adult arthropods. You can raise the young on your own.
3. The optimal ratio of males and females for good offspring is 1:2.

For breeding it is better to use purebred crayfish

Calculated: to get 1 ton of crayfish, you need to buy 400 females. For a beginner water management, 40 pieces are enough for the first time. They are sold in specialized fishing companies. This, to a certain extent, guarantees the reliability of the type you have chosen.

Advice. You can not buy males if females have caviar on legs.

How to properly equip a pond

Water is the natural habitat of crayfish. For home breeding, both natural and hand-made reservoirs are used. Good housing for arthropods has the following qualities:

• area - 30-60 sq. m;
• depth - 1-3 m;
• optimal heating - not lower than +18 ° C, otherwise the crayfish will go into hibernation;
• the water is completely renewed every 2-3 weeks.

Attention! At one time, you can not renew more than 30% of the volume of the reservoir. This will lead to a violation of the microclimate.

The advantage of natural reservoirs is the presence of a clay or sandy bottom with a silt cushion: it is in such conditions that crayfish dig minks for themselves and create a comfortable microclimate. The downside is the slowed down by 3 times the growth rate of cancers.

Pond for growing crayfish

Aquariums are most often used as artificial places. This is quite expensive: you will most likely need several containers. Maintaining the correct temperature in them is easier, but more expensive. You can put filter units at the inlet to the aquarium and save yourself the need to manually renew the water.

Advice. People who decide to start breeding crayfish for sale choose aquariums. All costs for additional equipment are paid off due to the rapid growth of crayfish.

The best types of crayfish for breeding at home

Having equipped a place for growing, proceed to the purchase of a living basis for reproduction. Among crayfish lovers, the following varieties are popular:

• Australian. Has a good meat layer. It is grown only in buried artificial reservoirs. Comfortable volume for 3-4 individuals - 100 liters. Inside, you should equip a lot of minks and shelters for food, rest, molting. They eat dead fish, bread crumbs, algae, special food.
• Blue Cuban. Inconspicuous look. It is unpretentious, except that it needs a water temperature of about +26 ° C. The water itself must be hard. In the reservoir, you also need to equip a lot of shelters. The species develops to an adult in just six months.

blue cuban crayfish

• Marble. Large and fleshy. Capricious to care. Requires water heating up to +20…+28 °C, relatively large amount of feed. The comfortable volume of the reservoir is 100 liters for 20 individuals. In reproduction, one individual acts as both a female and a male. Fry should be removed due to the risk of cannibalism.

Attention! The primary purchase of crayfish for breeding is not the last. To get a full-fledged herd that can independently reproduce its numbers, periodic purchases will be needed for 5 years.

Crayfish care

The main features of caring for a herd of crayfish will help you get full-fledged and healthy individuals:

1. Separate and transplant to another pond every new young generation.
2. In the spring, catch females and transplant them into another container. This will help prevent cannibalism and keep the colony alive.
3. The optimum temperature for females is +22 ° C or slightly lower.

Crayfish are notorious scavengers. Their diet includes the remains of fish, algae. However, at home breeding, animals should be supplemented. To do this, use vegetables, boiled meat, plankton, larvae, worms, the same algae and fish. You can buy special food at the pet store.

Attention! Can't overfeed crayfish. Better not feed.

The ratio of 1:2 males and females is relevant, based on physiology. One crayfish can only fertilize two females. If after that he sees another one, he will probably decide to eat it. After fertilization, the layer of eggs is located in the female under the shell. By the end of next spring, it moves to its hind legs. From the eggs of one arthropod, an average of about 20 young crayfish appears, although at home, experienced breeders achieve an indicator of 60.

Crayfish breeding for sale is a profitable business

An important sign of the normal development of livestock is molting. Cancer throws off the shell, which has become cramped for him, and acquires a new one. Young individuals do this about 8 times a year. In the next 365 days of life, this number is reduced to 5, then to 3-4. The normal rate of cancer growth is about 50-60 g in weight and about 10-12 cm in length by the end of the second year of life.

Additional equipment for breeding crayfish

You can achieve greater efficiency by improving the living conditions of animals. To do this, for example, you can equip the reservoir with an air compressor. The device will prevent stagnation of water in the pond. An oxidizer will serve well. In autumn, the device is mounted at the bottom of natural reservoirs and in winter saturates the water with oxygen.

For open ponds, stakes and lakes in cold weather, the installation of greenhouses is relevant. They keep warm, maintaining a normal temperature level for crayfish. Farmers also use various filters to keep the pond clean, and polypropylene frames to keep the water in the pond.