What kind of fish are grown artificially in small ponds?

Fish is a valuable dietary product. It contains a lot of trace elements necessary for normal human life. Doctors emphasize that for the normal functioning of the body, each person must eat several tens of kilograms per year (over 30 kg) or about 80 g of fish every day.

True, there is still an open shortage of fish products on the shelves of Russian stores. The fishing fleet of our country is small and outdated, and natural fish resources are gradually depleted. The cultivation of fish in Russia is just beginning, although the country has many natural reservoirs and a lot of opportunities for creating artificial ones. In terms of water reserves, it is in second place after Latin American Brazil. A significant number of reservoirs with fresh water make it possible to engage in fish production.

There remains only one question - what kind of fish to breed in central Russia? How to organize your own business so that it brings tangible profits?

Fish business

Any business is based on supply and demand. Fish farming is a business too. The domestic market is in great demand. Nowadays, consumers demand a large volume of fish products not only from large enterprises, but also from private farms with their mini-farms. From the standpoint of profitability, fish production in a pond makes it possible to earn about 20% of net profit. Such commerce can be done in any regions of the country, including in central Russia.

At the same time, obtaining fish allows you to spend a little time - about 3-5 hours per day are needed for care. And fish farming in artificial reservoirs as a business is almost not subject to the danger of a sharp change in weather conditions or a cold snap. If you correctly create a business, you can recoup the money spent in a short time and reach a steady income.

Sale of fish

Of course, the production of fish products is not an end in itself. Selling fish is one of the essential factors in this business. The cost of fish products depends on the cost, quality, type and demand. The most famous red fish is trout, its price is much higher than that of other fish, such as crucian carp, tench, etc., but the cost price of such a product is much higher, and it is bought much less.

It is not for nothing that 70% of the live fish market is carp. Their cost is lower, but they are sold easier. When you start your fish business, be sure to look around the fish market and settle for the most popular fish.

You need to choose distribution channels, establish communication with catering enterprises (they may become regular customers), restaurants, cafes and supermarkets (many agree to cooperate with farmers if you have all the necessary permits). In the end, fish can be sold simply on the market.

Forms of fish development

The fish farming methods are quite diverse:

• Pond breeding - the use of one, basic reservoir for fish production (this is enough for any species).
• Cage fish production is especially effective for large specimens.With this form of cultivation, the producer uses a certain section of the reservoir, distributing the water sphere in cage lines.
• The basin method makes it possible to produce fish in relatively small artificial reservoirs. They can organize everything for breeding freshwater fish species: predatory (pike, perch), herbivorous (bream, carp), etc. Some businessmen have mini-reservoirs in the form of small containers.

Artificial reservoirs

There are two main ways of raising fish in nature: in artificial (dug by man) and natural (created by the elements) reservoirs. The latter path is quite difficult to implement due to the cumbersome administrative barriers of the Russian bureaucracy. Renting or buying, for example, a lake is very difficult. A significant amount of time will be spent on collecting papers, conducting approvals with numerous authorities. And you can buy the right to rent a certain natural reservoir only after winning the announced competitive bidding.

An artificial reservoir is usually a pond. In Soviet times, collective farm ponds were up to 0.5 and even 1-3 square meters. km. What types of fish are suitable for breeding in artificial reservoirs? In them, crucians, carps were usually grown, varietal species of fish were less common.

But the ponds can be small. Nowadays, small ponds with a water mirror of 1-3 square meters are created on the territory of personal plots. m. They do not need to carry out legal approvals. You can swim in them, use them for decorative purposes, breed some fish "for the soul." And you can use it in commercial tasks. After all, even such a reservoir allows you to bring a good income. The fishing business can start small.

However, the owner of the pond should be aware of the presence of a whole list of subtleties, such as water temperature, degree of acidity, volume of the reservoir, amount of fish, etc. Ignoring the leading rules can lead to the death of fish. It is necessary to determine in advance the number of specimens and the species characteristics of the inhabitants that the entrepreneur is going to settle in the pond.

Pond requirements

What kind of fish to breed in central Russia depends on the characteristics of the pond. Have you decided to build an artificial pond on your own personal plot (preferably large)? Get ready to grow algae in it - it is good free food for future residents. Peat and silt, whatever their quality, must not be left at the bottom of the pond. It is necessary to decide in advance that the reservoir is needed precisely for production and reproduction, and not only for keeping fish.

You can search for decorative parts of the pond to your liking, but during construction it is necessary to determine some important factors when breeding fish: the most optimal volume of the pond is from 30 to 50 square meters. m, a pond of smaller volume will be unprofitable, and a larger pond will be too expensive to build and operate. It is necessary to dig a pond in a low-lying area with an exit at the bottom of the springs; there must certainly be a shady place so that the fish can hide in it during the hot season.

It is better not to design a flat bottom near the pond, but to produce sections with rapids and long ledges. Any type of fish loves bodies of water with different soil characteristics and bottom depths.

Pond fish

To determine what kind of fish to breed in central Russia, you need to start with the type of water you select. The artificial reservoir has a peculiar microclimate that is not suitable for all types of fish. There is less oxygen in stagnant water, it contains more microorganisms and various kinds of bacteria, small animals, including predatory ones. The relief of the bottom, the banks, the type of vegetation differ significantly from the rivers. There is a lot of silt in them. Not all fish can be in an artificial reservoir. However, the types of fish for breeding in artificial reservoirs in our country are quite diverse.

Carp (carp)

Of the total number of commercial fish for obtaining marketable weight in artificial reservoirs, one of the most suitable will be carp, crucian carp. The carp (carp) is not particularly picky about the living conditions, it feeds on benthic small organisms, algae, fish food. Marketable carp grows over 3-5 years, standing out at a high speed.

A domesticated version of the carp is carp - a rapidly growing fish that has several species and is able to adapt to any conditions of the reservoir. Carp grows well in mass in medium-sized artificial and natural reservoirs heated by the summer sun. The most favorable for them will be slightly alkaline water. Carp can eat plant and animal food. Carp can reproduce by 4–5 years of existence.

Carp

Crucian carp is also of great importance. It is also a rapidly growing fish. Crucian carp is omnivorous and very beneficial for fishing. Crucian carp is a well-known fish for production in the breeding pool. He opts for extremely still water, feeds mainly on algae. Adults can weigh up to 5 kg. The fish is very hardy. But in winter, because of the thick solid ice, it needs oxygen. It can be served using ice holes in the ice plate.

Trout

Nowadays, trout cultivation is considered a promising business and allows you to earn quite good money. The popularity of trout is well known, its price is consistently high (450 rubles / kg). The current situation is facilitated by the increased demand of Russians for this valuable variety of fish. In addition, trout fishing in paid reservoirs is regularly gaining popularity. An increasing number of anglers prefer this kind of fishing, since the probability of getting fish out of the water is high and vivid feelings from this will remain for a long time.

To grow trout, the breeding conditions must be properly organized. When young trout reach 1 year old, 500-1000 fish are placed in the pond.

The full-scale fish complex includes a hatchery, fry tanks, a reservoir for adult fish, feed rooms, refrigeration machines for fish products and other necessary technical structures.

Large trout, which are fed for balych production, are kept mainly in cages and ponds, and occasionally in deep pools. Pool trout production requires additional investment in proper equipment.

Most breeding fish reach the age of 3-7 years with a mass of at least half a kilogram. Trout activity during spawning depends on these two indicators. If the breeding cycles are correct, then spawning can be done all year round.

To grow trout, the following conditions must be taken into account:

• the suitable water temperature for this fish is in the range of 3-24 degrees;
• it is necessary to keep the water clear and sufficiently clean, with a good oxygen content;
• for a quick increase in weight, the fish must be supplied with a fodder base, which must certainly include all the necessary substances, trace elements, vitamins and mineral salts;
• you definitely need astaxanthin - a combination with a natural carotenoid to give the trout meat a bright red color.

If these conditions are maintained, trout will reach a mass of 2 kg in about four years.

Sturgeon

Breeding sturgeon breeds is quite a profitable and promising business. One kilogram of sturgeon reaches $ 20, and the cost of black caviar reaches $ 1,000 per 1 kg. It is not difficult to calculate how much profit will be from such a business and its payback period.

Under domestic conditions, sturgeon breeds develop much faster. If at first the sturgeon fry weighs only a few grams, then in a year some individuals will weigh 1 kg, and the body length will reach half a meter. After two years of fattening, the sturgeon grows to several kilograms of weight.Producers begin commercialization of individuals at an average age of about 1.5 years with a mass of 2 kg.

On a large scale in Russia, development is taking place near the river. Volga, where river water is used for fish farming.

Number of fish

Effective fish farming will be possible if certain rules are followed. To begin with, the most correct will be to determine the type of tank, the ratio of the depth of the reservoir with the selected type of fish. Then the problem of the number of fish fry for the pond is solved. Overpopulation of the reservoir negatively affects business. If there are obviously a lot of fish, overconsumption of food begins, and the water deteriorates faster. When calculating the exact number of fish in the pool, you need to drain at least 50 liters of water for 1 specimen 10-15 cm long. Pay attention to the size of the fish. There will be much less sturgeon fry than, for example, crucian fry.

The deep pool creates ideal conditions for finding fish in winter and more even temperatures in summer. But there are also disadvantages: at depth, the water can remain cold for the active growth of microorganisms - food for fish. The absorption of atmospheric oxygen will be less than that of a small pool with an enlarged water surface. Because of this, the vital activity of the fish deteriorates.

Other characteristics of the reservoir

Pools for breeding fish of different species differ in terms of water surface, depth, level of water supply, nature of the soil and other natural conditions. They differ from natural reservoirs by the regulation of the processes taking place: the cultivation of selected fish, artificial feed, fertilization, and so on.

Temperature and chemical reactions can be important reasons that largely determine the effectiveness of the development of residents of artificial pools. Some fish are thermophilic, others, as a rule, feel great at low temperatures. Constant changes in temperature and acidity levels can be dangerous for some fish species. Measurements of the acidic reaction of water, the temperature level, determination of the volume of oxygen should be carried out quite often, especially in winter. Changing the level of acidity to reduce it is carried out by liming, adjusting the operation of lime filters, mills.

We must also not forget to determine the compatibility of individual fish species with each other, some of them can compete for food.

In a properly designed pond, the fish will feel good and grow quickly.

Food

Above, it has been said more than once about food for fish. This is one of the most important factors in the stable growth of the inhabitants of the reservoir. Nutrition will depend on what kind of fish to breed in central Russia.

It should be noted that there is no universal approach to the principle of proper fish feeding. It's like asking about the best way to fish. In addition, a lot depends on the cultured species, because all fish have their own food preferences. There are requirements for the conditions of detention and the tasks set. If a businessman wants to increase the growth rate of fish, then a larger weight of feed saturated with protein should be introduced into the diet. Fish do not expect a lot of food. For example, to increase the mass by 1 kilogram, food should have a value of about 4,500 kcal.

It is necessary to monitor the amount of amino acids in food, since it is they that increase appetite and directly affect the rate of mass gain. They also prevent the emergence of a large number of diseases in fish, especially in fry. The diet must also include different types of fats; a lot of fiber (the weight of its consumption depends on the type of fish produced, the most required specific gravity is 20%, for certain species this level may be higher); biologically active compounds (these can be various enzymes or premixes); cereals (you can sprinkle bran in the feed, they will be an excellent source of carbohydrates); important vitamin B; food of meat origin (special flour, low-fat dairy food. Such a balanced diet will enable the fish to grow at a faster rate, improve its health and increase the rate of reproduction.

By organizing fish farming in a pond, pool or cage method, the owner can sell an environmentally friendly product to the market at a high cost, and the suitable climate of our country and the growing demand for carp and trout make this business profitable and very profitable in all regions.

The content of the article:

• Fish farming methods in artificial conditions
• Features of breeding in artificial pools
• Common misconceptions of novice fish farmers
• Features of breeding in a pond
• Cage method
• What kind to grow?
• Carp breeding technology
• Trout breeding technology
• How much can you earn?
• Examples of successful "fish" business

For many millennia, the products of the world's oceans have been competing with livestock products. Many treatises have been written about the benefits of these products. The World Health Organization recommends eating fish at least 2 times a day. The content of specific fatty acids (Omega-3) in it has a positive effect on the functioning of the brain and heart. Vitamin D is essential for proper bone growth. The consumption of salmon, trout and mackerel is very important for the normal development of the fetus and is recommended for pregnant women and children. Fish farming in Russia is a fairly relevant line of business and is constantly evolving.

Fish farming methods in artificial conditions

Business should be fun. Fish farming is best associated with relaxation and can bring a lot of pleasant emotions. Moreover, it is quite a lucrative and uncomplicated process. The arrangement of your farm does not require large investments, and the economic effect is quite tangible, and with proper housekeeping, you can get regular profits and an environmentally friendly product to your table. The demand for typical river inhabitants, be it sturgeon or trout, is constantly growing in Russia. A huge number of ponds, lakes and reservoirs, as well as the climate in our country make it possible to successfully engage in this type of activity in almost all regions. Artificial fish farming was practiced in ancient times. Currently, this method has reached a high level of development and provides for implementation in the following conditions:

1. In the pool.
2. In the pond.
3. Cage method.

The guarantee of success in this case will be the preparation of a detailed business plan, taking into account many risk factors.

Features of breeding in artificial pools

The advantageous quality of fish reproduction in artificial pools is that it can be positioned absolutely anywhere. This can be a garden or another part of the infield. Another positive point is the ability to choose the volume, material and shape of the tank. Such tanks are very durable, as they are made of fiberglass, metal or reinforced concrete structures. They require minor maintenance work and do not need very frequent cleaning activities. If desired, you can order pools of any shape, which will allow you to install it based on the availability of free space. As a rule, the walls of the tank, made of various types of plastic, have a smooth surface, which prevents their significant contamination, reduces the cost of water treatment and the likelihood of a fish epidemic. The ability to artificially regulate the temperature and hydrochemical regimes makes it possible to use reservoirs of this type all year round.

The installation of a closed water exchange, as the most advanced method of growing in artificial conditions, allows you to achieve complete mechanization and automation of processes. For the reproduction of fry in this way, it is best to choose gourmet varieties (sturgeon or salmon), since the installation of expensive cleaning and water exchange equipment increases costs by about 1.5 times. The saturation of the planting in such an environment is calculated based on the rate of water purification and its circulation.The fish productivity rate is from 20 to 100 kg per 1 m3. The method is simple, but there are typical mistakes when starting it.

Common misconceptions of novice fish farmers

1. Large production volume. The growing technique is quite simple, but in the absence of experience in this industry and making elementary mistakes, you can lose the entire offspring at once. To begin with, you should master the first basics of this business and get positive results, and then move on to industrial volumes.
2. Purchase of handicraft equipment. If you decide to equip the fry tank in compliance with all the rules and regulations, then you should work hard to purchase, if not the most expensive, then reliable equipment. In case of failures in the process of cleaning, oxygen enrichment or pumping water, the entire living mass of your pool can die and the costs will be colossal. The deal is profitable, but there is no need to rush and chase super-profits at the risk of all production.
3. Making a pool with your own hands. If you have no experience in building a pool or you are not familiar with the basic principles of building such structures, then you should resort to the help of specialists, which, if done correctly, will, of course, pay off. And having spent a lot of money and nerves on the construction and having received a colossal fiasco, you can stop your commercial zeal.
4. Poorly verified project accounting. Our man's hope for "maybe" never ceases to amaze and seemingly obvious things are not taken into account. Only accurate financial calculations of costs and profits, numerous consultations with experienced manufacturers and economists will help you avoid significant losses.

Features of breeding in a pond

This option is one of the least risky and is suitable for beginners. The minimum monetary threshold and the ability to use natural reservoirs without additional spending will allow you to get positive developments. In the territories of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, you can easily find a suitable pond or backwater. There is an option with using your own artificial pond, which will force you to make additional investments in earthworks and has a certain risk associated with a lack of groundwater and critical shallowing of the pond. Also, in order to get a good profitability, you need a pond with an area of ​​at least 1 hectare.

Cage method

Assumes a combined approach to reproduction. It has both positives. So are the negative qualities. Natural waters with certain instrumental support are used. To implement the method, you need to purchase or build your own floating cage and stock it with fry. Cage lines are installed in lakes, river backwaters or reservoirs. The latter method, provided that the environment is heated, makes it possible to obtain population growth all year round. The main advantages of a cage farm:

1. Small area. Allows for better guarding of cages and simplifies fishing.
2. Possibility of implementation all year round. Most companies have a seasonal sales vector. This advantage will increase your profits.
3. You can use all types of pond, even for complex purposes.

What kind to grow?

Before starting a project, you should ask yourself what kind of fish you are ready to supply to store shelves. The main varieties for sale are carp and trout. Breeding, feeding and care methods are somewhat different. Carp is a very unpretentious variety that can be placed in many types of water and use less specialized feed. There is a lot of information about the features of technology on the Internet and specialized manuals. Growing trout fry is a somewhat more laborious process. You need to have basic fish farming experience and special education. This variety is extremely picky about the place of keeping and conditions.

Carp breeding technology

This representative of the marine fauna occupies a leading position in this segment of the freshwater aquaculture market. For the growth of fry of this species, artificial reservoirs, ponds and the cage method can be used. The following breeds are grown:

1. Scaly.
2. Mirror.
3. Linear.
4. Naked.
5. Ukrainian frame.

It is possible to cultivate carp in monoculture with various other species, including predatory breeds. There are three systems of reproduction:

1. Extensive.
2. Semi-intensive.
3. Intense.

The extensive environment involves feeding carp with natural derivatives of the bottom fauna and zooplankton. The method is characterized by a small increase per unit area (from 200 to 650 kg). The advantage is low feed costs and costs.

The semi-intensive method consists in drawing up the diet in such a way that it contains more artificial feed, which is produced in significant quantities by the agro-industrial complex. The lack of calories in the diet is leveled with the help of food additives of the carbohydrate type (various types of cereals). With the correct selection of the ration, productivity reaches the level of 650 to 1400 kg per hectare. A clear advantage of this system is the ability to correct food energy deficiencies through supplementation.

The intensive system provides for the transfer of the entire generation to a complex feed that contains protein in high concentrations (up to 40%). The high value of nutrition leads to a large planting of the growth area, which requires additional aeration, if the norms are not observed, there is a risk of death of the offspring. The efficiency of this system makes it possible to receive from 5 to 20 tons per hectare of water area. A positive feature is the maximum utilization of water areas. However, there is also a significant risk of infection and epidemics.

Trout breeding technology

There are more than a dozen species of trout in the world's oceans. Two main ones are most suitable for industrial reproduction:

1. Brown trout.
2. Rainbow trout.

The first species grows in the waters of the Azov, Black, White and Caspian Seas. It has good taste and is one of the most valuable types of fish. It lives exclusively in cold conditions and requires a fairly high aeration. The rainbow trout grows in North America. It can live not only in cold streams, but also in warm rivers. Has excellent growth ability.

The cage method and the pond culture method are suitable for reproduction. However, trout does not breed in ponds and artificial insemination has to be used. You should adhere to the temperature regime from 4 to 18 ° C. It takes about 2 years to grow an adult ready for sale.

How much can you earn?

The expenditure and revenue side of the project will vary with the scale of production. The cost of carp fry varies from 60 to 120 rubles per kilogram. The minimum price of compound feed for him is 7-8 rubles. An adult is sold at 100-130 rubles per 1 kg. For example, you can take the average values ​​of the main points when growing carp. With the most conservative calculations with minimal volumes of the final product, the cost part looks like this:

1. Malek - 5200 rubles.
2. Personnel - 15150 rubles.
3. Food - 3350 rubles.
4. Other - 9350 rubles.

The regressive part of the accounting will be 30,050 rubles.

With a total profitability of 50,000 rubles, the net profit will be 19,950 rubles. A multiple increase in parameters will lead to lower costs and higher profits. The profitability with the correct organization of the process can reach 40%.

Examples of successful "fish" business

Large holdings with a wide network of export links are engaged in the successful cultivation of fish on an industrial scale in Russia.However, small and medium-sized fish farms, which are successfully increasing production in Russia (OOO Arskiy Rybkhoz, OOO Vyvenskoye, OOO Nazarovskoe rybnoe hozyajstvo), deserve great attention. Such companies are an excellent example of a verified technological and financial basis for fish farming.

A pond in the country can carry not only a decorative function, but also benefit in the form of delicious and environmentally friendly fish to your table. Moreover, some species of fish reproduce well at home. Breeding of underwater inhabitants usually begins with carp rearing. But if you study all the subtleties and correctly organize the process, then you can even grow sturgeons and crayfish in the country. It is not necessary to have a huge pond for this, as you will see when watching the video.

Fish food

If you want to get a full-fledged increase in the live weight of the farmed fish, then the issue of feeding should be approached with all responsibility. The family of carps is considered to be the most unassuming when it comes to choosing a menu. Nature has deprived the carp of the stomach, so the fish always wants to eat and does not belong to gourmets. Fish are fed with the following products:

• compound feed for poultry or pigs with a protein content of about 40% is mainly fed to carp, although fish meat acquires a specific taste;
• a mixture of cereals, corn and steamed legumes prefer other types of fish;

It is important to feed the fish at the same time at all times.

• in reservoirs, arranged in a natural way and having a developed flora and fauna, the fish finds food on its own. True, the weight of the wards with such a content will be inferior to individuals grown on compound feed. But the meat will be very tasty and environmentally friendly.

Pets are fed once or twice a day, preferably without changing the time of reception and the place of food distribution. In fish, like in Pavlov's dog, reflexes are well fixed. If you combine feeding with a whistle or the ringing of a bell, then in the future the fish will swim on its own at the signal.

The food is placed on a special tray, which is then dipped into water. Such a dining room will allow the owner to control the amount of food consumed and avoid contamination of the reservoir by its fermented residues. This is especially true when using compound feed.

Advice. To attract a large amount of natural food, a little trick is used. A 12 W light bulb is fixed above the water surface, which is turned on at night. A large number of mosquitoes and moths fly into the world, which the fish feast on with great pleasure.

Types of fish suitable for decorating a pond

When choosing a fish for growing in a summer cottage, decide on its purpose: fishing or decorative decoration of the reservoir. For aesthetic enjoyment, the following types of fish are suitable:

• koi carp is very popular due to its color from bright red to black, and it is impossible to predict the color of future young animals. These fish have an excellent appetite and grow rapidly. They spend most of their time at the bottom of the reservoir, looking for food in the silt. They are very gullible, they can swim right up to their hands, hoping for additional feeding;

Decorative koi carp

• goldfish is very unpretentious, it does not need a deep reservoir. To begin with, you can purchase a couple of individuals and they will quickly fill the reservoir with numerous offspring. In addition, in food, goldfish are unpretentious. Their decorativeness is not even negotiable;
• It is almost impossible to breed cold-water trout in an artificial reservoir, therefore it is also used for decorative purposes. Basically, they buy river trout or very elegant rainbow trout for decoration. This fish feeds on small aquatic animals, but will not refuse artificial feeding.

Advice. When the temperature of the water in the reservoir drops below +5 degrees, the fish falls asleep and is not interested in food.Feeding begins in spring when the pond dwellers wake up.

Fish of commercial value

If you are going to equip a pond for fishing, then the following fish species are most in demand for this purpose:

1. Carp are the most popular species due to their unassuming habitat and feeding conditions. Carps love warmth and sun. They gain mass quickly in a small pond. Sexual maturity occurs at the 4th year of life. A wide variety of species allows you to choose a fish to your liking.

   Carp

2. The tench feeds in shallow water. Like carp, it is omnivorous. Calmly reacts to changes in the acidity of water and the level of oxygen in it. Adaptable, adapts to life in any pond. It gets along poorly with crucians and carps, since these species are competitors in food.
3. Crucian carp prefers stagnant water with an abundance of plant odors. In winter, there must be an ice hole in the reservoir for the supply of oxygen.

Advice. The purchased fish must be properly released into the reservoir. The water temperature of the pond and the tank where the fish is brought should be approximately the same. Shock in temperature differences will result in fish death.

Fish in the pond for catching

Fishing requires a fairly large pond. Fish species are selected based on the parameters of the reservoir: depth, presence of vegetation, water temperature. Usually the pond is filled with representatives of carp. If conditions permit, then predators are added: catfish, pike or perch.

You can arrange a pond with sturgeon or sterlet, but they will need special conditions for comfortable living and reproduction. In addition, this fish cannot be grown only on artificial feed, natural nutrition is vital for it.

Trout will need a deep pond with clean, cold water. In any case, before you start digging a pit, be sure to find out what the requirements for the reservoir are made by the type of underwater inhabitants that you want to grow.

The subtleties of successful breeding

To avoid gross mistakes, novice fish producers should consider the following points:

1. The depth of the pond and the bottom topography must meet the requirements of the breed. The great depth will allow the fish to endure the winter well, but the water will warm up unevenly, and this will delay the development of the aquatic fauna that the fish feed on. A shallow pond warms up quickly, but is better oxygenated.
2. One 15 cm individual will need about 50 liters of water. A large flock in a tiny pond will be cramped, moreover, the water will quickly become polluted.

   Construction of a pond in the country

3. The amount of water area without vegetation is taken into account.
4. For successful breeding, you will need to purchase equipment: a biofilter for water purification, a compressor for additional enrichment of the pond with oxygen, a hydraulic pump, an ultraviolet sterilizer will protect water from blooming.
5. Different types of fish are adapted to life in water with different temperatures and water acidity. Therefore, these indicators require constant monitoring.
6. To prevent the fish from dying in winter, the depth of the reservoir should be such that an ice-free layer of water remains at least one meter. Oxygen access for pets is organized using an aerator, a frozen bunch of reeds and an ice hole.
7. In spring, you can speed up the melting process by sprinkling the surface with earth or coal chips.

If you approach the issue of fish farming deliberately, providing the inhabitants of the pond with the necessary living conditions, then you can simultaneously get aesthetic pleasure and practical benefits with minimal hassle.

How to make a pond in the country with your own hands: video

Fish pond in the country: photo

An artificial reservoir on a private plot can become a source of not only aesthetic, but also gastronomic pleasure. With some effort in fish farming, you can get a good help in providing yourself and your loved ones with valuable fresh product.And if you get down to business on a grand scale, then you can make money. After all, doing everything with your own hands in the country at home is not so difficult.

Suitable types of fish for breeding in the pond

The fish species are selected according to the breeding conditions. The determining factors are air temperature and water composition. The type of pond is essential - flowing or standing. When selecting varieties, one should take into account the coexistence of breeds, competition for food. The most unpretentious and productive are:

• Carp or carp - thermophilic, but resistant to temperature fluctuations. The diet is plant food and compound feed. It enters puberty at 1-3 years of age, depending on the ambient temperature. The varieties are scaly, mirror-like and leathery.
• White amur - a large relative of the carp. Reaches a weight of 50 kg and more. Homeland - the Far East. It eats a large amount of plant food, is used to clean up overgrown reservoirs.
• Black carp - similar to white, but feeds on shellfish. The scales are dark in color. Well sanitizes ponds from pests of other species.
• Silver carp - very similar up to 3 years of age. Then spots appear on the scales of the motley. Reach 50 kg. The silver carp feeds only on plants. Motley is more unpretentious.
• Buffalo - similar to carp, homeland America. In terms of growing conditions, it is similar to carp, but meat is much more valuable in taste.
• Channel catfish - omnivorous, large, thermophilic. Homeland America. When properly fed, it has a very pleasant meat flavor.

Less productive, but well amenable to cultivation in a man-made pond, are:

Gold and goldfish are unpretentious, fast-growing. Can interbreed with other fish species. Gains weight up to 5 kg. Feels good even with an unfavorable water composition.

Trout, pike, tench, sturgeon are also bred in artificial reservoirs.

The grass carp is a type of freshwater fish suitable for breeding in a pond

Advantages and disadvantages of fish farming at home

An important advantage of cultivation in a home garden is the ability to receive for personal consumption or sell all year round products that are in great demand.

Fish meat contains a lot of valuable substances and vitamins. Fresh catch has excellent taste.

The investment required to start fish farming is not very large. The labor intensity of cultivation is from 3 to 5 hours a day. Weather conditions when using an artificial reservoir insignificantly affect the growth of individuals.

The main investments take place at the initial stage. You need to build a pool or dig a pond.

The main expenses for breeding - at the initial stage in the manufacture of a pond

Their type and size are determined by the financial capabilities of the owner and the area of ​​the site. The minimum depth of an artificial reservoir is 1-1.5 m. The volume is calculated from the estimated number of individuals inhabited in the pond. One fish 10-15 cm long should have at least 50 liters of water, i.e. in one cubic meter no more than 20 specimens can coexist peacefully.

The recommended area of ​​the water surface is 25-50 sq.m. Usually 1.5-2 years are enough for a fish to gain weight.

Types of breeding pools

The quality of water in a mini pond, its chemical composition depends on the source of the pond filling. It also determines the temperature, the availability of food and the oxygen supply of the aquatic environment.

What type of filling is there:

• Stream or river. Water enters the reservoir from natural sources through the supply channel. The excess is removed by a branch duct. The content of oxygen and plankton in a pond with such filling is favorable for breeding, because closest to natural conditions.
• Rodnikovoye. Clean water with a high oxygen content is most favorable for breeding fish of different species.For the source of food in the territory adjacent to the reservoir, daphnia pits are arranged - shallow small depressions for the reproduction of plankton. They communicate with the main body of water. Daphnia move to the pond and serve as food for fish.
• Atmospheric. In the absence of rivers, streams and springs, the source of moisture is rain and melt water. Well-heated water is favorable for the development of vegetation and living organisms.
• Closed water supply. The use of ponds without external water sources became possible thanks to the use of special equipment: pumps, filters, ultraviolet sterilizers, etc. When constructing a reservoir, special attention should be paid to waterproofing the bottom.

Fish pond with stream filling

How to make a pond with your own hands

Having decided to arrange a fish pond on the site, you need to determine its location, area and method of construction. If there are no natural sources of filling, the reservoir is built using a closed water supply.

How to choose the right site

The place for the pond must meet the conditions:

• stay away from noisy places and highways,
• be shaded by trees, but not under them, because falling leaves pollute the water,
• do not be located in the lowlands, because there is a risk of contamination by running off rainwater,
• have a source of electricity for equipment with water purification filters and oxygen enrichment plants.

The scheme of making a fish breeding pool

Required tools and materials

The most durable is a pond with a concrete bottom. Its device requires significant material and labor costs, which will pay off with interest in the process of long-term operation.

To build a pond you will need:

• rubble,
• sand,
• cement,
• mesh of reinforcement with a diameter of 3-4 mm and a cell of 30x30 cm,
• formwork from boards,
• roofing felt or other material for waterproofing the bottom and walls,
• pipes for inlet and outlet openings,
• waterproofing additive for bottom and wall plaster.

The technology of creating an artificial reservoir in the country

1. Mark the size of the pond on the ground. For this, pegs and a cord are used. For fish farming, the shape of the pond does not matter.
2. Digging a pit manually or with an excavator. The optimum depth is 1.5-1.8 m, the angles of inclination of the walls are 20 °.
3. Before concreting, prepare from sand and crushed stone with compaction of the bottom.
4. Laying waterproofing from roofing material or film with its output to the surface of the earth.
5. The first layer of concrete is poured onto the bottom with a thickness of 10 cm, the reinforcing mesh is tamped and recessed along the entire bottom.
6. The second layer of concrete is poured.
7. Install the formwork for the pond walls. When finished, they should be 10-12 cm thick.
8. The walls of the reservoir are reinforced and poured with concrete.
9. Concrete surfaces are covered with plaster with a waterproofing additive or liquid glass. The material for processing the walls must be safe for the life of fish.
10. The necessary equipment is installed: pumps, filters, oxygen water enrichers.

Schematic structure of a fish pond

For a safe wintering of fish, a wintering well should be provided. It is arranged from asbestos-cement pipes with a diameter of 80 cm or ordinary reinforced concrete rings. In a well deepened to the level of 2.7 m, covered with a wooden shield, the fish will not freeze or die from lack of oxygen.

Even a beginner can build a pond with his own hands. Fish farming will not take much time if the process of stocking, fattening and catching is well established. Even if the purpose of fish farming is not to generate income, this activity will be beneficial and enjoyable.