Tips for Starting a Freshwater Shrimp Cultivation Business, Definitely Cuan!

Cultivating freshwater shrimp is one of the most popular businesses to be involved in. Moreover, freshwater prawns have many health benefits ranging from high protein, increasing bone and tooth strength, to helping thyroid hormones. So freshwater prawns are not only delicious but have various health benefits.

For those of you who are interested in freshwater shrimp farming, reading this article is the right choice. Here, we will explain in full, starting from the business potential of freshwater shrimp, how to cultivate it, to tips and tricks for successful freshwater shrimp cultivation.

Freshwater Shrimp Cultivation Business Opportunities

Freshwater shrimp farming business opportunity is very large. Much favored by the tongue of the people of Indonesia, making sales will be easy and have a wide market share. In addition, freshwater shrimp are also quite productive and harvest quickly. 

Then what are the types of freshwater shrimp that are often cultivated? There are several types of freshwater shrimp that are popularly cultivated because they are popular consumption by Indonesian people, such as vannamei shrimp, tiger prawns, giant prawns, rice prawns, red palm prawns and lar prawns.

Freshwater shrimp also have a relatively short harvest period, depending on each type. However, generally freshwater shrimp can be harvested in a span of 4-6 months.

The money generated from the freshwater shrimp cultivating business is also lucrative. Some freshwater shrimp farmers can even pocket 20 million to 30 million per month.

Sales are also not difficult. You can sell freshwater shrimp to restaurants and restaurants that provide a freshwater shrimp menu. Interested in starting shrimp farming? Come on, see more about how to cultivate freshwater shrimp!

How to Cultivate Freshwater Shrimp

There are several steps that you can take in cultivating freshwater shrimp. This method can be your guide to starting cultivation.

1. Preparation of Aquaculture Ponds

The first step for shrimp farming is preparing freshwater shrimp ponds. The selection of aquaculture ponds is very important because it can determine the environmental conditions of the shrimp. This will have a major impact on the health and productivity of freshwater shrimp.

There are many options for aquaculture ponds such as tarpaulins, concrete ponds or aquariums. Whatever type of pond you choose, make sure the pond water has sufficient oxygen content.

In addition, it is also important that aquaculture ponds are far from pollutants and factory and household waste. This is because, shrimp are very sensitive to pollutants.

Next, you need to prepare clean water into the pond. Check the pH of the water used, make sure that the pH is between 6-7. So that the oxygen levels in the water are sufficient for the breathing of the shrimp, you can use an aerator for freshwater shrimp ponds.

2. Selection of Superior Seeds

The next method is selecting superior fry from freshwater shrimp which will facilitate shrimp production, accelerate harvest, and reduce the potential for crop failure. 

There are several criteria in selecting fry so that your shrimp cultivation can run smoothly:

• Benur free from disease
• Glowing and bright skin
• Have agile and active movements
• Have the same size 
• Weight with 0.1 – 0.3 grams

3. Shrimp Feeding Arrangement

You can use natural feed and artificial feed for shrimp farming. Some types of natural shrimp feed that you can give to shrimp are wheat flour, corn kernels, sticky rice, rice bran, and others.

Apart from that, you can also combine it with artificial feed such as shrimp pellets which are sold in the market. You can feed as much as 40% in the morning and 60% in the afternoon.

4. Water Quality Control

Cultivation of freshwater shrimp is very dependent on the conditions of the aquaculture water. You must frequently change the water in the pond when it is dirty. This is because low water quality will increase the potential for freshwater shrimp to be attacked by disease.

In addition, the amount of dirt in the pond can reduce oxygen levels which causes the shrimp to lack oxygen.

5. Harvesting

Before the harvesting process, you must find a market that can accommodate the harvest, for example collectors or restaurants that accept freshwater shrimp.

The harvesting process will take place after you have cultivated shrimp for about 6 months. Harvesting is done by taking the shrimp with a net and putting them inside box. Don't forget to sort the shrimp so that the quality of the shrimp sold is well maintained.

Tips for Success in Freshwater Shrimp Cultivation Business

Cultivating freshwater shrimp has the key to success. You must pay attention to the factors that can affect the growth and development of freshwater shrimp. Here are the factors that influence the success of freshwater shrimp cultivation!

1. Freshwater Shrimp Pond Temperature Regulation

The growth of freshwater shrimp is strongly influenced by the temperature in the pond. Even though it can have a fairly wide temperature tolerance, don't let the pond temperature reach temperatures above 35°C. Optimally keep pond water temperature conditions in the range of 25-29°C.

2. pH and Water Hardness

Make sure you can measure the pH and awareness level of the water so that shrimp productivity can be optimal. The pH suitable for shrimp is in the range of 7-9.

You can measure it with chemical indicators that can be purchased at chemical stores. In addition, the required lime content is moderate to high. So that you can add a little lime to the pond.