Business plan for breeding freshwater aquarium fish. Crayfish farming business plan

The idea of crayfish farming is not new. Similar farms were organized in the Rostov region even before the start of perestroika in the Soviet Union. However, today this business has not become a fully occupied niche in Russia. Let’s look at the specifics of crayfish farming to understand what the prospects for crayfish farming are and whether such a commercial enterprise can generate significant and stable income.

Breeding crayfish in ponds

Growing crayfish in an artificial pond is considered the cheapest and easiest way to do this type of activity.

If you have your own land, then building a pond will not be a big effort. In this case, the costs will be minimal.

The recommended area of the reservoir is 25-60 m2, depth - 1-3 m. It is advisable to fill the bottom with sand and line it with stones so that arthropods can dig holes for themselves. Afterwards, you should stock up on food, and also build several concrete pools. They are useful for fattening and keeping young livestock.

Be sure to provide a reliable water drain and an additional source of water. Purchase cleaning and aeration systems. Study specialized literature, it will never be superfluous. In principle, after this you can release larvae or breeding stock into the pond.

An artificial pond requires replacement every 2-3 weeks. In winter, it is advisable to catch the stock and transplant it into an indoor reservoir so that the crayfish do not suffocate under the thick ice.

You cannot build a pond in a sunny place!

If there is a natural reservoir near your place, then you can release the larvae there. However, it must meet the following requirements:

shaded sandy shores;
the presence of a rocky bottom;
environmental friendliness;
a bottom suitable for the construction of holes;
absence of pathogenic flora.

The problem that we really face in this case is poachers. However, they also have control. You can hire watchmen, put up streamers with bells, and stretch a net over the surface.

This method of cultivation extremely saves the budget for organizing a habitat for crayfish and their nutrition, but the farmer does not have the ability to control the temperature.

This means that the weight of individuals raised in a natural reservoir will be approximately 30% lower than those individuals raised in a home pond.

In aquarium

Crayfish can be grown in an aquarium even in urban conditions, although on a somewhat smaller scale than in a pond. The premises can be rented in a quiet residential area. This method of breeding crayfish has many advantages:

convenient control of pets;
strict adherence to temperature conditions;
less feed consumption;
simplified crayfish catching;
possibility of installing a filtration system;
shortened wintering.

In such “greenhouse” conditions, young offspring develop quickly and efficiently, and the entrepreneur, in turn, makes a profit faster. However, you should not forget about the need to pay bills for electricity and heating the premises.

It is important to know the secrets of choosing the right aquarium:

volume from 250 l;
wide bottom;
plastic walls low to 1 m (to avoid metal contact with water).

Soil should be poured onto the bottom, pebbles and driftwood should be placed, and algae should be planted. The planting density of crayfish can reach 350 individuals per 1 m2.

Creating a farm

Entrepreneurs involved in crayfish breeding are advised to familiarize themselves with the peculiarities of keeping arthropods in practice before investing significant sums in it. Despite the fact that the World Wide Web provides access to almost any information, you should not neglect the advice of professionals.

Farm for industrial breeding of crayfish

Experienced crayfish farmers will not reveal all the secrets, but by visiting their farm, you will have an idea of what exactly a successful farm should look like.

Where to buy crayfish for breeding

It is difficult to find larvae, so you will have to buy adults. There is no need to purchase a lot of breeding stock at once. For a small farm, 40 males and 80 females will be enough. The latter are easily identified by the presence of eggs under the tail at the end of spring.

Sources for acquiring crayfish can be very different:

independent fishing in the river;
supermarket;
specialized farm.

Naturally, it is preferable to buy arthropods from specialists. They can advise which species will be preferable for your region, living conditions and breeding goals (by the way, crayfish have excellent caviar that can be salted). They will also tell you what care should be taken in the first months.

The following industrial types of crayfish are popular:

Blue Cuban (withstands temperatures only up to 26 C o, grows quickly, omnivorous).
Australian crayfish (suitable for aquariums, capricious in care and nutrition, is the most fleshy type of crayfish).
Marble (requires stable water temperature and large areas - 20 adult individuals per 100 cubic meters of water, reproduces by parthenogenesis (that is, there is a female and a male in one individual).

Feeding

Being herbivorous animals, crayfish do not disdain various organic remains and even carrion in natural conditions.

Crayfish feed mainly on:

earthworms;
greens;
mixed feed;
insect larvae;
small snails and bottom fish.

In the case of artificial breeding, the diet of crayfish includes:

steamed crushed grain;
meat;
boiled potatoes;
fish;
grated carrots.

The daily food intake is 2% of the individual’s weight.

You can purchase food for crayfish from companies associated with the fishing business, feed mills, greenhouse farms, and specialized markets.

Reproduction

Mating of arthropods occurs in the fall - from September to October.

Male crayfish are able to fertilize two females in a row, and they simply eat the third.

That is why the ratio of individuals of different sexes in one pond/aquarium should be 1:2.

The eggs are initially placed under the shell of the female crayfish, and after being laid, they are attached by the abdominal legs under the tail. Females often wash the eggs with water, thereby cleaning them and allowing the embryos to develop properly. After 2 months, the larvae hatch.

Rachiha protects them for another 21 days, sheltering them from dangers under their tail. It is worth noting that in the natural environment, females raise 12 crustaceans, but no more than 20 offspring annually. In the case of crayfish breeding at home, this figure reaches 60 crayfish annually.

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Features of growing at home

It is important to consider the following features:

Crayfish come in different varieties, and so do their commercial prices. Before starting a business, it makes sense to understand in detail the species of these freshwater arthropods.

Equipment

To breed crayfish you will need the following equipment:

Aquariums. It is desirable that they be equipped with heaters for incubating eggs, a filtration system, and compressors. Controlling water quality will allow the larvae to develop quickly and correctly.
Swimming pools. Should be separate for teenagers and independent young adults. As crayfish grow older, they are necessarily sorted. This allows them to develop properly and also vary in weight/size, age and cost accordingly.
Ponds. The more there are, the better. It is worth considering that the minimum pond size is 25 m2. It is advisable to give it an oval shape, which promotes proper gas exchange. There should be shelters at the bottom (pieces of plastic pipes, driftwood, stones). It is worth equipping at least a couple of indoor ponds (in them, young-of-the-year crayfish are raised and the broodstock are accommodated).

Implementation

To be able to legally sell goods, a business must be registered (OKVED codes 01.21; 52.23). This gives buyers confidence that the product is of high quality and safe.

Sorting crayfish before sale

There is always a demand for such products. Preference in the sale of crayfish should be given to wholesale trading enterprises. It is important to establish sales to establishments such as beer pubs, fish restaurants, saunas, baths.

Financial calculations

Regardless of what you choose as a home for crayfish (a pond or an aquarium), the starting capital will be about 200 thousand rubles. With this money you will need to purchase:

individuals (200 will be enough);
aquarium (dig a hole for a pond and equip it);
food and medicines.

You will also need to hire staff (1-2 people). Annual costs for feeding crayfish and replacing water will amount to no more than 100 thousand rubles.

Crayfish pond

It makes no sense to rent a pond. It is usually rented for 1 year. At the same time, the rental rate increases annually. Crayfish grow for about 4 years, so it makes sense to make your own pond.

Today in Russia, prices for crayfish fluctuate between 400-450 rubles. / kg and for adults; 200-250 rub. / kg and young individuals. You can sell goods individually. With the right approach, from a pond of 50 m2, where 50 females are released, you can get in a year:

3.5 tons of young animals (up to 13 thousand individuals);
up to 80 kg of breeding stock.

Crayfish farming is not a difficult task. Even a pensioner can cope with it. The only negative is the long duration of the project. Such a business does not pay off quickly, after about 2 years. After that, the business will begin to bring a stable profit - up to 450 thousand rubles. / year. Tangible income appears in years 6-8 with a tendency to constantly increase.

Business plan

Crayfish farming, like any other business, requires a responsible approach.

A carefully thought-out business plan will allow you to understand the project budget and correctly distribute funds at each stage.

This document also acts as a kind of supporting outline, which reflects all the important steps and nuances that can later simply be forgotten.

In a business plan, it is important to focus on:

project start time (preferably in early April);
competition (monopoly coverage of the market/region or the presence of similar farms);
purpose of the product (sale on the market, wholesale, processing, sale to breeding stock);
sales markets (preferably wholesale buyers - retail chains, restaurants, individual entrepreneurs);
method of breeding crayfish (natural aquatic environment, aquarium, artificial pond);
cost of breeding stock (200-1000 rubles / kg);
type of farm (for cold regions, aquarium breeding of crayfish is necessary, but growing in a pond is more economically profitable).

In general, growing crayfish as a business is a moderately labor-intensive and time-consuming process, but it is also profitable. The farmer will receive a hundredfold for his efforts. In addition, crayfish rarely get sick, and it’s even more fun to watch your pets!

Buying a ready-made business is a solution for those who do not want to deal with the preparatory stages, but immediately have a ready-made, established production and customer base. Buying is a great decision, as you can find a lot of offers.

Read about how to make a million without having anything in the section.

Video on the topic

Many of those who have tried crayfish meat at least once became real fans of its delicate taste. Crayfish meat is popular and not cheap; demand for it is observed all year round. Therefore, the idea of breeding crayfish for business deserves close attention. In Russia, the cultivation of crayfish on an industrial scale is practically undeveloped, and the demand for their meat remains invariably high. Before the revolution in Russia, crayfish were grown under artificial conditions, and crayfish meat was imported to many European countries at that time. Today, the main suppliers of crayfish to the world market are China, Spain and Turkey, where they are not found at all.

Almost any body of fresh water is suitable for this, except those that are swampy or silted. Fish ponds are also suitable, but populated with non-predatory crucian carps, carps, etc. Breeding crayfish in ponds as a business is made difficult by the harsh conditions of the Russian winter. When the ambient temperature becomes lower than optimal for the life of crayfish, they go into suspended animation (hibernation), stop eating and do not gain weight at all. If the pond freezes to the bottom, the crayfish will die.

Under natural conditions, crayfish grow slowly, gaining marketable weight and length (40–50 g, 9–10 cm in length) by approximately the fifth year of life. That is, another disadvantage of this method of growing crayfish is that profits are made in the sixth year of the business’s existence. In natural ponds, the population density of crayfish is low: 8 animals per square meter. But there is practically no initial investment in such a business. Breeding and growing crayfish in a pond has a number of advantages; the pond is a sustainable aquatic system that itself is cleaned and renewed. And you can save significantly on aerators and filters, as well as on food, since crayfish feed on natural plankton, algae and the larvae of various insects.

Business of breeding crayfish in aquariums

Breeding crayfish at home is possible, but technically difficult. You will need a frameless aquarium with a volume of 250 liters or more. Soil is poured onto the bottom of the aquarium, and driftwood and stones are also placed to cover the crayfish. This method of cultivation allows them to prevent hibernation at a constant optimal temperature, as well as intensive aeration and filtration of water. Under such conditions, the stocking density of crayfish is increased to 350 animals per square meter and ensures rapid weight gain.

The only drawback of such breeding is the limited area; large industrial volumes cannot be achieved. But they proceed as follows: crayfish larvae are raised in an aquarium until they become so-called fingerlings, and then they are released into the RAS pool or simply into the pond. The quality of water in the aquarium should be strictly controlled so that the larvae do not die, and also so that they develop faster.

Growing crayfish in the basement

Basements are used to store unnecessary things, but it is wiser to try to get additional income from the use of this space, which is not used for housing. Growing crayfish in the basement will not require additional insulation: for these animals it is enough when the temperature does not drop below +7 degrees, and in the summer they stay within 17–20 degrees. To illuminate the basement, you only need one 200 W bulb in the middle of the ceiling. In the basement, install multi-tiered shelving to house aquariums.

Breeding crayfish at home

For those who are not strapped for money and are planning to make crayfish as a business generate significant income, we advise you to organize a farm for breeding on an industrial scale.

Where to buy crayfish

It is not often possible to purchase crayfish larvae, so you will have to purchase adult animals and raise the young ones yourself. You can buy crayfish at any place where they are sold. For every two females there is one male. The mating season for crayfish begins in the fall, and at the end of spring, females differ from males by the presence of eggs under the tail. Depending on the size of the animals, a kilogram of live crayfish costs from 300 to 500 rubles, but you can avoid these costs by catching animals yourself in the nearest pond.

What do they eat

Crayfish are herbivorous animals, but in natural conditions they do not disdain a variety of organic remains and carrion. Insect larvae and small ones also serve as food. When artificially bred, the diet of crayfish is made up of steamed crushed grain, boiled potatoes and grated carrots, and the source of protein is fish and meat. The daily food intake is 2% of weight.

How do they reproduce?

Crayfish mate between September and October. Males fertilize two females in a row, and when they come across a third, they eat her. This determines the recommended ratio of females and males in the reservoir. First, the eggs are placed under the female's shell, and later she lays them, and the eggs are attached under the tail to the shell and abdominal legs. For proper development of the embryos, the eggs are constantly cleaned and washed with water. The larvae hatch from the eggs after two months. For another three weeks, the female shelters them under her tail from all possible dangers, until the moment when they turn into independent crustaceans. In natural habitats, each female on average raises 12 young crustaceans. At home, the number of offspring from one female is increased to 60 crustaceans per year.

Shedding

In the first year of life, young crayfish molt eight times, in the second year the number decreases to four to five, and in the third to three to four times. Adult crayfish molt 1–2 times a year. During this period, the cancer sheds its old shell, which becomes tight, and at the same time the animal grows. The molting period in the life of a crayfish is important; at this time it becomes vulnerable and represents easy prey for both birds of prey and fish.

Important points about growing crayfish

Temperature. 17–20 degrees are considered optimal for adult crayfish. For rapid development of larvae, approximately 23 degrees is required. When it is lower, crayfish eat poorly and grow worse, and in winter they go into suspended animation (hibernation);
Aeration. Young crayfish are sensitive to the quality of water and the oxygen content in it. When growing in a garden pond, gas exchange occurs naturally because the surface area of the pond relative to the depth is large. Pools and aquariums require forced aeration;

For the full functioning of a crayfish farm, it is necessary to properly equip and select a place for them. Options for arranging successful crayfish breeding on a farm:

Aquariums. Aquariums are used that are equipped with a filtration system, heaters for incubating eggs and compressors. When water quality is constantly monitored, the loss of larvae is minimal and they develop quickly;
Swimming pools. From the incubation aquarium, young crayfish that have become independent are transplanted into one pool, and adolescents into another (or several). As they mature, young crayfish are sorted into different tanks, where they grow to the fingerling stage, and then they are released into special indoor ponds;
Ponds. Two or more of these are made for breeding crayfish. Area 25 sq. m, and a depth of 2 m. For gas exchange, it is recommended to arrange elongated ponds. When it is possible to dig a number of ponds on a farm, it is recommended that two or three of them be covered. Plus, when the water in the ponds is running, it’s good to have a river nearby. If there isn’t one, drill water wells. Shelters are needed at the bottom of ponds: stones, fragments of ceramic or plastic pipes, driftwood, etc. In indoor ponds, intensive cultivation of fingerling crayfish is carried out. Use one of them as a “mother cell” - permanent residence of the brood stock. In open ponds, crayfish grow naturally. Division is necessary to expand the range so that crayfish of different weights and sizes are obtained; they will also differ in price.

Implementation

With a constant shortage of crayfish, persistent demand and low competition, one of the main advantages of this business is the absence of problems with the place of sale. The sale of crayfish is negotiated with bars, cafes and restaurants; in many cases, we immediately talk about wholesale supplies. They offer live crayfish to relatives, neighbors, friends, acquaintances, etc. Few people know that salted crayfish caviar is almost as good in nutrition and taste as red caviar. And the chitinous shell of animals is a valuable raw material for various types of production.

Business plan for crayfish farming

A business plan for a crayfish farm looks something like this:

When the farm has a pond of 25 square meters. m of natural origin, it is optimal to place 200 young-of-the-year crayfish with a total weight of 30 kg. Feed consumption for this number of animals is 600 g. per day. After a year and a half, each crayfish weighs twice as much, during which time the cost of food will reach four thousand rubles. Please note that crayfish reach marketable weight in 2–3 years (in an equipped farm) or 4–5 years (in natural conditions). On the market, a kilogram of crayfish costs 450–500 rubles; in a year and a half you will get 26 thousand net profit. This figure may seem small, but taking into account the fact that the proposed business does not require start-up capital investments, the profit is tangible. Children or old people can handle the work on a crayfish farm. Tangible profits from the crayfish breeding business appear in the sixth to eighth year of existence, and increase in subsequent years. Long-term income generation is a disadvantage of this business.

Paperwork

Register as an individual entrepreneur. Many farmers recommend completing the paperwork immediately after receiving the first catches and accessing the opportunity to sell and make a profit. This will allow you to get rid of such problems: over such a long period of time, legislation changes, you will not have to deal with reporting during the initial breeding of the population.

There will be no differences in registering and registering a business from any other farm. The only thing that is required to sell the product is the presence of documents on the sanitary inspection of the farm, as well as a veterinary certificate, which confirms the safety of crayfish for consumption. In practice, obtaining such documentation does not require large expenditures both in terms of finances and time, taking into account the fact that in this activity a month of waiting is not critical for the further development of the business. All that is required is to allow employees of the sanitary and epidemiological station to enter the farm territory, ensure water intake and examination, and also provide animals for veterinary control for inspection.

The Poseidon company was founded in 2002. Our company is widely known in Russia and abroad as the largest supplier of live crayfish. Following the principles of attentive attitude and flexibility in working with clients, we expand our capabilities in this business. Based on market demands, in May 2010, we began production of boiled and frozen crayfish. For 11 years, the Poseidon Company has been known as a supplier of high quality goods. The main reason for our success is product quality control and uninterrupted supply of live and boiled-frozen crayfish. The main destination for catching crayfish is Kazakhstan.

Zaisan (also Zaisan-Nor) is a lake in the east of Kazakhstan, in an open, high and flat valley between the mountain ranges: Altai from the northeast, Kalba from the northwest and Tarbagatai from the south. The lake is located at an altitude of 420 m, being the richest habitat for crayfish.

The crayfish that live in the crystal clear waters of the lake have a special and unique taste. Immediately after catching, the crayfish arrive at the company’s sorting station, located just 100 m from the lake shore. There, the crayfish are calibrated, washed and prepared for transportation.

Next, the crayfish are supplied to prepared, wholesale-retail, production bases in the Krasnodar region (Poseidon-South) and in the Moscow region (Poseidon), “crayfish farms”, where they are placed in special pools with aeration and running water, to provide the best conditions for overexposure crayfish

Crayfish intended for sale alive remain in the tanks until the moment of sale, i.e. We sell crayfish “from the water”, this is the guarantee that our crayfish will reach the shelves and reach the buyer alive.

In 2010, we established our own production of boiled and frozen crayfish. Thanks to the unique recipe and high-quality raw materials, our product appeals to the widest range of consumers.

Crayfish intended for cooking are sorted and transported to the cooking shop. When sorting, the crayfish undergo a thorough check to ensure that dead crayfish do not enter the digester.

The brewhouse is equipped strictly in accordance with all sanitary and epidemiological requirements. After sorting, calibrating, and washing, the crayfish go to a specialist who is directly involved in the preparation of boiled and frozen crayfish. Next comes the packaging and blast freezing process. The Poseidon company produces a product using a unique technology developed by our specialists, which has proven itself in the Russian market and abroad. Boiled-frozen crayfish have a number of advantages over the live product, namely: they are a ready-made product (just defrost and reheat), do not require specially equipped storage tanks (stored in the freezer), shelf life (6 months) .

The Poseidon company is pleased to offer you live and boiled-frozen crayfish, assorted live fish, silver carp, carp, sturgeon, grass carp wholesale and retail, in Moscow and Krasnodar, all year round, around the clock. Having our own fleet of vehicles, we offer optimal options for delivery of live crayfish in refrigerated trucks, delivery of live fish by specialized transport: in Moscow, Zhukovsky, Lyubertsy, Oktyabrsky, Ramenskoye, Bronnitsy, Balashikha, Zheleznodorozhny, Dubna, Chekhov, Serpukhov, Pushkino, Reutov, Stupino , Podolsk, Obninsk, Noginsk, Mytishchi, Obninsk, Ryazan, Tver, Naro-Fominsk, Krasnodar, Sochi, Anapa, Novorossiysk, Gelendzhik to markets, shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, to off-site banquets in the shortest possible time. Since 2015, our base has been certified by Rosselkhoznadzor, which allows us to supply live crayfish to the Republic of Belarus (Minsk, Vitebsk, Gomel, Polotsk, Orsha, Mogilev, Borisov, Bobruisk) and other countries of the Customs and Eurasian Union.

We have extensive experience in the fisheries sector from 2007 to the present day.

In 2009, it was decided to work on a then rare product: live cancer.
Special equipment was purchased, pools were prepared, and things slowly began to move forward.
For the last few years, we have been actively supplying live crayfish to many cities of Russia: St. Petersburg, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod and others. We also have deliveries abroad to Germany, Poland, Estonia. Our crayfish have all the necessary certificates and documents.
In St. Petersburg, we work closely with large sellers of live crayfish such as: Crayfish Empire, RakiSPb, various restaurants and shops.

We, Crayfish Farm, are engaged in breeding live crayfish in conditions close to natural. We also provide services for storing live crayfish in special aquariums.

Cooperation with CancerFarm

For cooperation, call us, our managers will answer all your questions

Crayfish are invertebrate animals that are in great demand all over the world. Every year, natural populations of crayfish decrease due to the high activity of poachers. Crayfish are prized for their delicate meat flavor. This is also a great beer snack.

Crayfish breeding technologies

In recent years, attention to crayfish breeding at home or in artificial reservoirs has increased significantly. For this purpose, drained bays of reservoirs are specially built, artificial ponds and farms are created. In Russia, crayfish farming on an industrial scale is underdeveloped, but due to the stable demand for fresh crayfish, it is tirelessly gaining momentum. An example of this is crayfish farming in the Krasnodar region.

The creation and maintenance of specialized farms in which conditions have been created for comfortable keeping of crayfish, requires solving many issues. When constructing new equipment and ponds for breeding crayfish, it is necessary to pay attention to many details. Any freshwater reservoirs or ponds are suitable for breeding crayfish, except very swampy ones. Fish ponds with predatory fish are also not suitable. However, breeding crayfish in artificial ponds is made difficult by winter conditions. At low temperatures, crayfish go into suspended animation, so they do not gain weight. Freezing of the pond completely entails the death of crayfish. Therefore, when creating farms, it is necessary to observe all the subtleties.

Creating an ecosystem is a complex process. At least two ponds must be installed. The minimum area of each is 25 sq. m, minimum depth 2 m. It is recommended to build elongated ponds, which promotes gas exchange. It is better to use running water, for example, from a river or well. It is imperative to install shelters at the bottom of reservoirs: driftwood, stones, pipe fragments. Several pools are needed to create favorable incubation conditions.

Breeding crayfish at home

At home, breeding crayfish is not technically difficult. You need to know and consider the following:

1. Equipment. The main thing is that the aquarium for crayfish should be more than 250 liters. To reduce the waste of larvae, it is necessary to create certain conditions and equip the aquarium with filtration, heating, and aeration systems.

2. Where to get crayfish. If the population on the farm is small, then additional crayfish are purchased. Catch crayfish in any pond or buy them at a market or store. You need to buy on the basis of two females for one male. Mating of crayfish occurs in September-November, this is the optimal season. Closer to summer, a difference is observed between crayfish of both sexes, characterized by the presence of eggs under the tail.

3. Food for crayfish. The optimal daily food intake for crayfish is 2.5% of their own weight. The main food in natural conditions is vegetation, but it is not uncommon for crayfish to eat carrion and various organic remains. It is good to use insect larvae, snails, bloodworms and earthworms for complementary feeding. In captivity, crayfish are fed a boiled mixture: grain, potatoes and carrots, finely chopped fish.

4. Reproduction. The mating period for crustaceans is September - November. If you look closely, you can see the eggs placed under the female's shell; a little later, the eggs will be attached under the tail. After a couple of months, larvae emerge from the eggs. Under natural conditions, each female crayfish produces 12 - 20 crustaceans, but if the conditions are artificially created, then about 50 crustaceans per year can be achieved.

5. Molting of crayfish. The growth of crayfish is accompanied by molting. In the first year of life they molt 8 times, in the second year 4-5 times, in the third year - 3-4 molts. Adults molt 1-2 times a year. The molting period is very important. During this period of time, Cancer sheds its old clothes and shell, and therefore becomes vulnerable to its roommates.

6. Conditions of detention. Temperature regime. 18-20 degrees is considered ideal for adults. The larvae will grow and develop at temperatures within 22-24 degrees. Do not allow the temperature to drop, otherwise the crayfish will eat less and, accordingly, grow worse. Aeration and filtration. Young crayfish are extremely sensitive to water quality.

The disadvantage of such breeding is the limited area. Aquariums are often used to raise larvae to crayfish - “fingerlings”, after which they are released into RAS pools or into a pond.

Alternative methods of breeding crayfish

Open farms (farms) for breeding crayfish, cages or ponds are unsuitable in harsh climates. The solution is found in installing a closed water supply system (RAS). RAS are artificial ecosystems organized in enclosed spaces. These are fully or partially automated systems for breeding crayfish. Include: swimming pool; closed water supply system (simulation of flow); feeding system; filtration and aeration system; sorting channels. RAS are expensive, but they make it possible to organize crayfish breeding in climates that are impossible for this.

Crayfish farming as a business

Taking into account the constant demand for crayfish and their virtually waste-free production, this business can be considered profitable, with low competition.

Sale of crayfish. Establishing the sale of crayfish will not be difficult: friends, markets, you can negotiate with small stores, and if you have certification, with large ones.

The chitinous shell of crustaceans is a valuable raw material for certain types of industries. With the right attitude, it can be realized.

Profitability. The profitability of the business of breeding and selling crayfish is undoubtedly there. Let's look at an example: In a pool with a RAS or a natural pond measuring 30 square meters, you can place 200-250 fingerling crayfish. This is approximately 35 kg. Feed consumption per day for this amount is approximately 650-700 grams, which in 2 years will be about 5 thousand rubles in a recirculation system and 2-3 thousand in a pond (due to its ecosystem, the pond will develop its own organisms suitable for food) . During this time, the crayfish will increase in weight by 2 - 2.5 times. Electricity consumption in the RAS pool will be approximately 2-2.5 thousand rubles. The cost of a kilogram of crayfish is approximately 500-600 rubles. (in winter 700-800 rub.). Selling crayfish, we will get 35-50 thousand rubles. Minus expenses. Net profit will be 25-40 thousand rubles. In total, we see that the profitability is about 400% over 2 years. Cons: too long-term profit generation. Pros: minimal investment of money and time, which will recoup all investments many times over.

There are a lot of business ideas. One of the most profitable and cost-effective is crayfish farming. The product is always extremely popular and in great demand. Therefore, there should be no problems with its sale. The main thing here is to find sales channels, register as an individual entrepreneur, organize the growing process, and, of course, have initial capital. Let's take a closer look at the crayfish farming business plan.

Peculiarities

The main areas of this business can be identified as follows:

growing arthropods in rented pools or reservoirs with their further sale;
organizing your own farm (creating an artificial pond);
breeding at home in aquarium containers.

Undoubtedly, the most expensive project is the improvement of your own reservoir. Financially secure people can do this. For everyone else, we offer crayfish breeding at home at minimal cost.

Introductory part

So, you have seriously and for a long time decided to grow this delicate delicacy and make a good profit. Before you start turning your idea into reality, you should open an LLC or individual entrepreneur, choosing the OKVED code 01.21 (for raising pets).

If you plan to engage in retail trade (sell to wholesale resellers), then you need to select 52.23.

Next, clearly write out a business plan for breeding crayfish, in which every little detail should be included and an estimate should be calculated. Growing arthropods at home is carried out in a large aquarium. You will also need a compressor and a pump to purify the water. Be sure to purchase stones and sand, as crayfish love to make burrows.

Make sure that the aquarium is in a well-heated room. Think about pet food, too. They feed on a variety of porridge, worms and fish, more on that later. Before breeding crayfish at home, we recommend reading information about these inhabitants. Please note that arthropods periodically shed their shells and appear “dead” and refuse food. There's no need to worry about this. Finally, think about marketing your product.

Which crayfish to choose?

River and lake crayfish are grown in captivity. Let’s immediately make a reservation that river arthropods love warm climates - this should be taken into account. If your region is not Sochi, then we recommend breeding a lake “pet”. It is also called “blue”, it quickly reaches commercial size and has good taste.

When growing them, you need to prepare females on legs with live eggs. For example, to breed a ton of crayfish, you will need at least 500 females, which are caught in ordinary reservoirs. Males live in separate containers and only in the fall they are placed with females (there is 1 male for every 2 females). As a result, you can get up to 100-150 larvae from one female.

How to organize a pond?

When drawing up a business plan for breeding crayfish, be sure to include conditions that imitate natural bodies of water. To do this, it is not necessary to dig deep holes and fill them with water; you can grow them in large containers. If you have a plot of land, then you can easily organize a pond on it, only with a roof and heating, so that the crayfish do not die in cold weather. Of course, this is very labor-intensive, so we’ll focus on an aquarium.

We purchase miracle “farms” for breeding crayfish - three large containers. Harmless containers made of plastic or plexiglass are quite suitable for these purposes. And the larger the volume of your artificial reservoirs, the better. So, in a 250-liter aquarium you can plant 50 crayfish at a time.

Let us say right away that it will not be possible to install them for decades, since they deteriorate every four years. At first glance it will seem that no problems will arise, but this is only a misleading impression. Be prepared for anything. At least for the first few years, try to install the pond permanently.

Why do you need three containers?

Adult individuals quickly adapt to new conditions, unlike newly born ones, which is why they need to be removed. Immediately after the appearance of a new batch of arthropods, transplant the adult from the young. You should not change the water for two days, since in an artificial reservoir there are favorable conditions for development and growth. A crayfish farm at home can bring great profits, and at minimal cost.

This business will require considerable patience from you at first. You yourself will have to create optimal conditions for growth for them: clean, feed and monitor the water temperature. As mentioned above, crayfish are unpretentious to the conditions, reproduce quickly and feed on everything. Know that your pets should always be full; it is better to overfeed them than to underfeed them.

Carefully monitor the cleanliness of the reservoir; special filters will help with this. Don't forget to purchase equipment to catch them. Now let's talk about what to feed cancer at home. For your “dear” pets, you can buy bloodworms, earthworms, shrimp, scallops, beef heart, bread and seaweed (you can replace them with lettuce and spinach). In this case, food can be dried, fresh or frozen. Feed should be given three times a day.

We sell goods

A business plan for breeding crayfish at home is not as complicated as it seems. We all understand perfectly well that in order for a product to generate real income, it must be sold.

But how to do this without dating? To begin with, recommend the delicacy to your friends, relatives and acquaintances, and they will tell their friends. This way you will be able to find your first clients. Place an advertisement for the sale of crayfish in the newspaper and on Internet portals.

Go shopping, cafes, restaurants with the goods. The strategy here is simple - offer prices below market prices. To ensure that your customers stay with you for a long time, monitor the quality of the delicacy you sell. Learn the intricacies of selling - praise more, make compromises and provide discounts. By the way, you can deliver throughout the region. This will be a huge step forward!

Financial side

Now let's decide on the financial side. How much will crayfish farming bring you in the end? We will release 100 individuals (300 arthropods in total) into each of the three artificially created reservoirs. For this we will pay about 15,000 rubles. Let’s separately calculate the costs of improving the aquariums – that’s another 20,000 rubles. Total costs – 35,000 rubles.

Let's calculate what we get as a result. Today's purchase price per kilogram of crayfish ranges around 200 rubles. One individual weighs about three hundred grams. With a full sale, your income will be at least 100,000 rubles per month. Financial calculations show that this is a real and profitable business with minimal investment.

Final part

The prospects for growing crayfish look very rosy, since the animals are bred quickly and do not require special care or huge investments. The only catch is finding a clientele, but with great desire and minimal competition, difficulties are unlikely to arise. You can quickly expand and acquire a real body of water. The most important thing is to increase demand and find regular customers, then there will be more profit and the incentive will not dry up.

It is difficult to provide accurate universal calculations of the first investment for creating a crayfish farm, because much depends on the time of the start of cultivation, the method, conditions, the number of arthropods, the cost of the goods sold and much more. But judging by the reviews of entrepreneurs who have been in this business for a long time, we can clearly state that payback with maximum effort will not take long. If you comply with all the requirements and rules, you can receive over 200% of net income per year.

In this technology, it is important to take into account the moment of molting and hibernation of crayfish. Naturally, during this period, weight gain and growth slow down significantly, and with frequent shedding, on the contrary, it accelerates.

In home production, you can easily increase the number of molts up to three times a year, and this is a very good indicator. Crayfish can be sold live, boiled-frozen or boiled.

But to prepare them you need equipment, because for large batches, ordinary refrigerators and gas stoves are not enough.

You will also need a car for transportation - we advise you to enter into an agreement with some shipping company. Cumbersome difficulties will arise with certification, labeling, packaging and veterinary certificates.

But all these issues can be resolved if there is positive dynamics and great prospects are visible. Remember, everyone has difficulties, especially at first. In fact, any activity requires maximum effort and patience, and the result directly depends on you. If you strive to become the owner of your own profitable business, then do not relax and be confident in your abilities.