Sterlet breeding is a relatively simple business idea for beginning entrepreneurs in the food industry. Growing sturgeon at home requires certain skills and the availability of special equipment. But with the help of a well-thought-out business plan, the implementation of this idea will not require much effort and cost.
Features of home breeding sterlet
Sterlet belongs to the sturgeon family. This type of fish differs from its relatives in a number of factors, the main of which is size. The standard weight of the sterlet varies from 500 grams to 2 kilograms, and the length is from 30 to 65 centimeters. In good conditions, such a fish can grow up to 90 centimeters with a weight of 4 kilograms. Its life expectancy reaches more than 25 years.
Self-cultivation of sterlet is recommended for people living in a private house with their own plot. An additional advantage is the presence of a pond on the site. If it is absent, its arrangement will be required. The size and depth of the pool depends on the capacity or intended volume of the diluted sterlet. As an analogue of a reservoir, the use of a pool is allowed.
The sterlet breeding and sale plan includes the following items:
- arrangement of a reservoir (if regular sturgeon cultivation is planned, additional premises will be required);
- purchase of suitable feed;
- after preparing the conditions for the sterlet fry are bought (initially they are kept in a separate container);
- growing fry to the size of an adult fish;
- development of a plan for the implementation of sturgeons.
Successful breeding of sterlet at home requires a detailed study of the technology, the availability of equipment and a large amount of free time. Today, innovative inventions are on sale that simplify the process of growing fish at home. But their use requires additional investment.
Advantages and disadvantages of sterlet breeding
Like any type of home breeding business, sterlet farming has its advantages and disadvantages.
The list of advantages consists of:
- little competition;
- the ability to work at home;
- high rate of income;
- the same demand at any time of the year.
The list of cons includes:
- the sensitivity of young fish to the purity and temperature of the water in which they are located;
- high risk of morbidity and death of fry;
- the need for constant monitoring of the conditions in which the fish are kept;
- the difficulty of acquiring healthy fry for breeding sterlet;
- a long payback period of the business (sterlet grows to the size of an adult within 3 years).
Despite the many nuances and difficulties in growing sterlet, the number of advantages provides great benefits from this business. Sturgeons are expensive species of fish, so there is a high demand for them even if there are competitors. The cost of sterlet is relatively high, so selling in small volumes can provide a significant income. Problems with the implementation of sturgeons are rare.
In addition to selling fish, sturgeon breeding allows you to organize an additional business for the sale of hides, which is also highly valued in the market. If you arrange good conditions, then the fish will consistently give caviar. Selling these products is another option for additional income. But to collect caviar, special equipment is required, which is why the size of the starting capital for organizing a business is increasing.
Place for fish farming
Arrangement of a reservoir for fish is the main condition for its breeding. Features of the implementation of this step depend on how long the fish is grown. Since sturgeons grow to an adult in 3 years, breeding within one season is impossible. For this reason, the reservoir is arranged indoors, where the sterlet will feel comfortable in the cold season.
Pool, room
The pond in the room is created on the basis of the pool. To open it, you need a large room with an area of 30 square meters. If the pool is in a separate building, it must be heated. To breed sterlet, a pool with the minimum dimensions is required:
- depth - 100 centimeters;
- length - 250 centimeters;
- width - 150 centimeters.
A pool with such dimensions can be serviced independently. The average volume of fish that can be grown during the year under such conditions is at least one ton. The pool is populated with the calculation of 60 kilograms of live fish per area of one square. meter.
Pond
In order to grow sterlet on the street, you will need to equip your own pond. The requirements for its arrangement are more serious than for the indoor pool. If you do not follow the instructions, the fish will not take root in the pond.
Initially, it is necessary to process the bottom of the pond - it should be as even as possible. To do this, eliminate pits and low places. If this is not done, the water will gradually swamp.
The next step is to clean the area around the pond. There should not be bushes, branches, trees on the shore. Vegetation is removed along with the root. The presence of the root system will lead to overgrowing and oxidation of the reservoir, as a result of which it will be very difficult to fish.
In order for the pond to feed on natural waters on its own, it is necessary to clean up nearby water bodies and outlets to groundwater.
Among the types of ponds for breeding sterlet, a drain is best suited. The advantages of this option are:
- ease of fishing;
- lack of difficulty in processing the bottom;
- minimum level of oxidation and waterlogging.
If there are hollows or ravines on the territory of the house adjoining site, preference should be given to arranging a drainage pond. The water in such reservoirs warms up well in the sun, and the bottom has abundant vegetation.
If there is a large amount of money and you want to breed a large volume of fish of different species, you can equip the reservoir pond. But for its construction and maintenance, in addition to financial investments, it will take a lot of effort.
Equipment and containers for growing sterlet
At the initial stage, a small plastic pool will be enough to breed the sterlet. Its depth does not exceed 100 centimeters with a length of 250 centimeters. During the year, you can grow enough fish in it to make a profit from the business. In the future, when the number of fish and sales volumes increase, it is possible to equip a pond or indoor pool.
To create favorable conditions, equipment is needed that provides:
- filtering
- aeration
- temperature condition.
The solution to this problem is carried out using a compressor unit, pumps and filters. An automatic feeder additionally saves time and effort. But due to the high cost, it will not work for many beginning entrepreneurs.
When buying compressors and a pump, you need to focus on equipment that has a limit of capabilities higher than required. This step will help extend the operational period of purchased devices. If in the future a fish farm is organized, it will not be necessary to purchase new equipment.
To maintain the necessary conditions in the reservoir, it is recommended to use an ultrasonic testing device (installation of closed water supply). This device provides:
- mechanical and biological treatment;
- necessary temperature conditions;
- supply of water with oxygen;
- the destruction of harmful microorganisms.
Several similar installations can be connected to the pool at once. The main condition is the presence of heating in the room where they will work. The equipment creates an intensive exchange of water, creating conditions for the dense placement of fish.
The care and feeding process is automated. The operation of the installation can be monitored visually. Using this equipment saves feed and resources needed to keep the sterlet. The influence of weather conditions on fish is minimized, as well as the occurrence of various diseases.
How to choose a feed?
Sterlet is fed at the bottom of the reservoir. This condition corresponds to how fish of this species eat in nature. There is a ready-made feed for sturgeons on sale. If necessary, you can cook it yourself.
Sterlet food should consist of:
- protein;
- fat
- lysine;
- phosphorus.
The sturgeon fry are characterized by uneven development. A fifth of the total amount grows faster than others, as a result of which it becomes stronger, and takes most of the feed itself.
Suitable for feeding young fish of this species:
- daphnia;
- insect larvae;
- small crustaceans;
- fry of fresh fish species.
When they grow up, shells can be added to the diet. Crustaceans are the main food of the adult sterlet. Do not feed the fish too much, as this may harm them. It is easier to adjust the dose when buying special food. The packaging indicates how much food is needed for a certain number of fish, depending on age.
If the fish are kept in a pond on the street, and it is not planned to move them in the winter, then feeding stops with the onset of frost, and the pond is lime. During hibernation, the weight of the fish does not change. In the spring season, feeding resumes.
Temperature mode
In order for the sterlet to feel comfortable, the temperature in the water must be maintained at a level of +18 to +20 degrees Celsius. The acceptable limit is +24 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures will cause inconvenience to fish.
Temperature fluctuations should also be considered. In the summer, the water temperature should not drop below +20 degrees Celsius. At other times of the year, it is necessary to maintain the temperature regime not lower than +17 degrees Celsius.
Buying fry
If you plan independent breeding of sterlet at home, it is recommended to buy already matured fry. The purchase is made from late spring to early fall. You can buy fry in special farms that are engaged in fish farming. Such fry receive proper nutrition from birth, and get used to the person. Therefore, when they interfere with their lifestyle, they will experience less stress.
Specialty shops are also involved in the sale of fry. But they usually get the goods from fisheries at a mark-up. Therefore, this method is less profitable.
The average cost of sterlet fry depends on the size and is about 20 rubles. In the absence of experience in this field, a specialist should be involved. After the purchase, the fry should be transported at a low temperature. Therefore, if the weather is hot outside, it is better to postpone their transportation until the evening.
With independent breeding of fry, additional costs are required. This method can be resorted to when a sufficient number of adult sterlet are at their disposal.
Capacity for fry
The requirements for the capacity for keeping fry are the same as for adult fish, with the exception of dimensions. Young sterlet is kept in a small plastic pool. When they grow up, they can be released into the pond.
The pool for fry can be equipped independently, or you can buy ready-made equipment. The second method is simpler, since it involves the purchase of already assembled containers with the necessary equipment.
Investments and return on investment
The amount of investment depends on the planned number of farmed fish. In order to grow 1 thousand fry, you will need equipment worth 300 thousand rubles. Additionally, the costs go to:
- purchase of fry - 25 thousand rubles;
- purchase of food - 35 thousand rubles;
- payment of electricity - 25 thousand rubles.
From the beginning of spring to the end of autumn, an ordinary fry grows to 500 grams. When a fish of this species reaches the specified weight, it can be sold. The average price for one fish is 300 rubles. The payback period is at least a year.
Recommendations for the implementation of grown sterlet
The simplest and most profitable implementation option is to open your own store. But for its maintenance and attracting customers, breeding of other types of fish will be required. You can also supply products to existing stores. In this case, the main task is to offer a more favorable pricing policy to customers than competitors. When you open your own fisheries, you can sell the fry to people who are just starting their own business in the future.
Breeding sterlet at home is a profitable business idea for people who are ready to devote the bulk of their time to this. But in order to succeed in this area, you will need special equipment and knowledge of the sturgeon growing system. Otherwise, the business will not pay off.
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Russia. City: Syktyvkar
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