A detailed business plan for breeding crayfish at home - analysis of competition, financial plan, evaluation of the effectiveness of the project. Breeding crayfish: profitable or not

Alexander Kaptsov

Reading time: 9 minutes

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The benefits of crayfish for the human body do not require proof, the demand for this delicacy is consistently high. The deterioration of the environment, as well as the use of barbaric fishing methods, have affected the decrease in the population of this species of invertebrates. That is why today the crayfish breeding business is a promising and profitable activity. Let's take a closer look at all the nuances of this business idea.

How to open a crayfish breeding business officially in the city - a documented minimum

To open an official crayfish breeding business in the city, you will first need to obtain a certificate confirming the status of an individual entrepreneur. Next you need to register with the tax structure. An entrepreneur engaged in the cultivation of crayfish belongs to the producers of agricultural products, which means that a possible form of taxation may be the ESHN (Single agricultural tax).

To open a crayfish farm, you need to find a plot of land where a pond or several reservoirs will be built.

According to the law, certain conditions will be required:

The future businessman must be the owner of the site (the tenant will have big problems with paperwork when obtaining permits). On his land, he has the right to build a pond or other objects, and no one will interfere with this decision.
The reservoir can be used for the owner’s own purposes , if during its construction urban planning, environmental and sanitary standards are not violated.
Pond should not be connected to natural bodies of water.

Crayfish are bred for subsequent sale, therefore, it will be necessary to issue a number of additional documents in order to sell invertebrates:

Certificate for products in accordance with GOST R 50380 of 2005.
Certificate issued by the veterinary service (form No. 2).
Declaration , reflecting the product’s compliance with all standards.
For auto on which the crayfish will be transported, you must have a sanitary passport.

The above documents will be required for both individuals and legal entities.

What else do you need to know about crayfish farming?

Naturally, documentation is an important component of business. However, the conditions for growing crayfish are no less important.

To be acceptable, you need to study a lot of information and understand the following details:

Where to keep crayfish

Crayfish can live and breed in natural conditions - in the nearest rented pond. If we are talking about a more profitable business, then it is better to equip an artificial reservoir or reservoirs (aquariums) on a personal plot and use an intensive method of breeding crayfish.

What equipment will you need?

For crayfish, water quality is a very important factor; having a pond alone is not enough. A set of special equipment is what you should take care of.

What does it consist of:

Made from thermal insulation structure , maintaining water at the specified temperature parameters. In fact, a polycarbonate greenhouse can perform this function.
From a pond frame . It is usually made from polypropylene sheets. Such a material is durable, waterproof, quickly connected using polyfusion welding. The main advantage is that it is neutral towards water.
Aerator or air compressor . This technique will not allow the water to stagnate. Otherwise, the crayfish will not survive.
Oxidizer . Its function is to oxygenate water. This is especially important in winter for open ponds. Ice prevents the flow of oxygen.
Flow type filter – the filtration system removes toxic substances in the form of food residues and waste products of the inhabitants of the pond. It supports the vital activity of crayfish, allows production volumes not to decrease.
If the quality of water during breeding plays a decisive role, then you can not do without measuring instruments that determine its parameters: an oximeter (measures the concentration of oxygen), a selenometer (determines the hardness of water), a conductometer (evaluates the efficiency of filters).

What to feed crayfish

Crayfish are omnivores. They feed on earthworms, insect larvae, and small snails. In an artificial reservoir, grain (steamed and chopped), boiled potatoes, grated carrots, fish, and meat are suitable for them.

The best option for feeding crayfish is to reproduce their natural habitat, excluding the negative facts in the form of the presence of predators . If the reservoir is filled with a food base (phytoplankton, zooplankton, and so on), then you can not buy expensive food. The introduction of organic matter and mineral fertilizers significantly improves the performance of the forage base. The main thing here is not to overdo it, so as not to increase the growth of vegetation in the water beyond measure.

There is a way to save on the purchase of fertilizers if you sow the bottom of the reservoir with legumes, oats, vetch, and so on. To do this, the pond is drained, and after sowing it is filled with water again. The method is environmentally friendly and cheap.

Where to buy crayfish for breeding at home and on an industrial scale?

To breed crayfish, you don’t have to buy them. You can catch crayfish yourself in the nearest body of water. Of course, you will need some experience and special equipment.

If there is no suitable lake / river nearby or you do not have skills in such a matter, then you can buy crayfish from those who are engaged in catching them professionally or in a regular supermarket (on the market). The main thing is that the individuals are young, then you can count on a solid increase and a good income. .

Please note that there are no farms specializing in crayfish breeding in Russia. Therefore, regardless of the scale of the enterprise, it is necessary to independently engage in the selection of crayfish for divorce. Viable and healthy individuals are needed.

Features of crayfish breeding technology - selection and preparation of reservoirs

The choice of reservoir largely depends on the size of the business. If this is a production scale, then it is more profitable to immediately invest (and considerable) in a crayfish farm.

It should consist of:

hatching aquariums heated.
Pools for growing individuals - for yearlings. This is the name given to crayfish whose age does not exceed one year.
Outdoor and indoor swimming pools to make production year-round.

However, you can start a cancer business with less expensive options:

Living conditions in a natural pond

A natural reservoir has its advantages: you do not need to dig a hole, fill it with water, improve the bottom, and buy food in large quantities. Nature has taken care of everything. The only condition is the presence of a natural flow of water to eliminate the lack of oxygen. Complementary feeding is also needed, otherwise the crayfish will begin to eat young individuals. Periodic cleaning of the bottom will be required so that the depth of the reservoir is two meters. In this case, the crayfish will have favorable conditions for reproduction. However, even if all conditions are met, you should not count on business profitability in the first few years.

Conditions for keeping at home (artificial pond)

What size should the pond be? Depth within 1.5-2 meters, area from 30 to 60 “squares”. Clay is suitable as a soil. The bottom is lined with stones so that there are gaps between them. These are future burrows for crayfish. A drainage system equipped with a wooden mesh is required. The net will become an obstacle, and the crayfish will not leave their home.

Plants are planted around the pond. Caring for crayfish is simple.

They will reproduce well if the following conditions are met:

Change the water every 14-20 days, but not completely, only 30%.
Periodically remove mud and clean the bottom. This will ensure there is enough oxygen in the water.
Water temperature is important. Usually 21ºС. For babies to grow quickly – 24ºС.
Monitor the water hardness indicator. The pH level should be from 7 to 8.5.
Feed regularly in the evening or morning. The daily value for cancer is 2% of its weight.
If crayfish have brought offspring, then adults should be transplanted to another body of water (if any). Crayfish can eat babies. Young animals that have a hard shell can be combined with old crayfish.
For a profitable business, it is better to organize 3-4 reservoirs.

During the season, the female lays 100 eggs, about half of which survive. The annual offspring from one female is 25-50 crayfish. After what period will the population begin to reproduce itself? In 5 years, not earlier. Cancer maturation time is at least two years. During this period, it grows up to 12 cm and gains weight up to 200 grams.

Types of crayfish and their purchase - which species are easier and more profitable to breed?

There are two types of crayfish: long-fingered and broad-fingered. The second species is valued for its fleshy bellies, which are in demand in cooking "crayfish necks". However, the population of broad-clawed crayfish has declined sharply. They ended up on the pages of the Red Book. In order not to have problems with inspection organizations, it is better not to breed this species.

Crayfish are also divided into inhabitants of lakes and rivers:

Lake crustaceans reach impressive sizes, they do not have a hibernation period - everyone is good for business at home. You need to know about the demanding maintenance requirements of this species. They must have a warm room - 20 m².
Crayfish characterized by smaller size and lower cost, although they are not as fastidious. So decide which individuals are more profitable to buy for breeding?

Another nuance is how many crayfish are needed. What should be their number per square meter of reservoir? For artificial reservoirs, experts recommend the following density: six crayfish per square meter, one male for two females.

Profitability of a business for breeding and selling crayfish: costs, start-up capital, maintenance, etc.

How much should you invest in the business if a crayfish farm is built on a plot of 1100 m² and will have 20 reservoirs at once:

The construction of ponds will require about 290,000 rubles.
Equipment costs will amount to 2,800,000 rubles.
The cost of a plot of land is at least 70,000 rubles.
Feed costs are 150,000 rubles.
Other expenses up to 200,100 rubles.

Total investment - 3,510,100 rubles.

Note to entrepreneurs. In the crayfish farming industry there is no strict interconnection of infrastructure. Therefore, the figure should not be taken as mandatory. It is permissible to make only two indoor swimming pools, and after receiving the profit, invest it in further development.

What will be the earnings - revenue for the year:

On average, a kilogram of crayfish costs 510 rubles.
Over the course of a year, 12,500 crayfish will grow, weighing a total of 2,500 kg.

The annual revenue will be - 1,275,000 rubles.

Amount of expenses throughout the year:

For electricity – 9,500 rubles.
For feed - 12,500 rubles.
Other expenses (transport, veterinarian, etc.) – 100,000 rubles.

Total expenses – 122,000 rubles.

Net profit will be: 1,275,000 - 122,000 = 1,153,000 rubles. The payback period for the project is 3-4 years.

How and where to sell crayfish profitably: potential customers and important sales nuances

The main advantage of this business is the lack of competition with constant demand for products. This means that it will not be difficult to establish sales. Buyers of crayfish can be supermarkets and small shops, restaurants and cafes. They tend to prefer wholesale suppliers. Therefore, it is important to find in advance stores and food outlets that are willing to buy crayfish on a regular basis . Next, all that remains is to catch the crayfish, issue a veterinary certificate and deliver the products to the customer.

Industrial cultivation of crayfish is not popular among domestic businessmen. Large enterprises working in the field of aquaculture try to avoid this direction, since the long payback period does not justify significant investments in setting up a crayfish farm. As a result, the high demand for products is partially satisfied by catching crustaceans in natural reservoirs, however, the size and quality of these individuals leave much to be desired.

In such a situation, one can consider breeding crayfish at home as a business that brings in a small but stable profit. In addition, a farm of this scale does not require intensive care: the entrepreneur’s daily tasks are limited to feeding the pets once and checking the water quality. Finally, modern equipment makes it possible to grow not only the familiar crayfish, but also larger, heat-loving species, the high market value of which serves as an additional incentive for beginners.

Business features

The simplest way to organize a business is considered to be breeding crayfish in a pond: to set up a farm, an entrepreneur just needs to rent or purchase a plot of land with a natural reservoir. The pond basin is cleared of debris, populated with young animals, and after 5–6 years a self-reproducing population is obtained.

Of course, one cannot expect any significant income in this case: the simplified method completely excludes the possibility of controlling the parameters that are most important for the growth of the herd, which include the chemical composition and temperature of the water, feeding ration and stocking density. Therefore, experienced farmers prefer intensive crayfish breeding technologies, which involve the construction of artificial reservoirs with a partially or fully controlled environment. The advantages of this method are obvious:

The entrepreneur can receive the first profit in 12–18 months;
Individuals grow much faster, and in a year they reach a weight of 100–150 g;
When placing aquariums or swimming pools in heated rooms, you can buy heat-loving crayfish species that are highly productive for breeding at home;
Thanks to control over reproduction and incubation, the survival rate of young animals increases to 85–90%.

The business of growing crayfish is characterized by certain advantages and disadvantages: in order to draw a conclusion about the feasibility of implementing this idea, the entrepreneur must consider them in their entirety, taking into account, first of all, factors that can turn into an insurmountable obstacle for him. Listing the positive aspects, it is necessary to mention that:

There are several methods for breeding crayfish at home for sale, and some of them are quite loyal to the amount of investment;
In the process of work, the entrepreneur’s expenses are limited to paying for utilities and purchasing feed at the rate of 0.5 kg per individual per year;
Care of crayfish practically does not require time and physical effort;
An entrepreneur need not be afraid of competition, since in Russia few farmers are involved in the implementation of the business idea of crayfish breeding;
Demand for products remains high regardless of the season.

The main disadvantage of this type of activity is considered to be the slow growth of crayfish: representatives of common river species reach marketable sizes within several years. Besides:

Setting up a crayfish breeding farm using intensive technologies requires significant investments;
In open reservoirs, at water temperatures below 17°C, crustaceans stop growing and hibernate, so the business is seasonal;
Regardless of the method of cultivation and the type of crayfish, a return on investment should not be expected earlier than in 3-4 years.

Species for breeding

An entrepreneur who wants to buy live crayfish for breeding must take into account factors such as the growth rate and marketable size of individuals, consumer demand and climatic features of the region - the domestic buyer perceives some quite edible crustaceans exclusively as a decoration for the aquarium, and keeping heat-loving species in the conditions of the Middle Zone only possible in closed heated tanks. In general, for growing with intensive methods, the following are suitable:

Broad-toed cancer. It has a fleshy body up to 20 cm long and large claws. It prefers reservoirs with a rocky bottom, heated to a temperature of 16–22°C, and therefore feels good in artificial pools. Currently, this species is endangered: you can buy crayfish for breeding only in nurseries in the Leningrad region, the Baltic states or Belarus;
Narrow-clawed cancer. The most common species in Russia, characterized by high fertility: every year the female lays at least 300 eggs. The body length of a male at the age of five reaches 16–18 cm and weighs 120–150 g. Crayfish prefer sandy and clayey soils suitable for building burrows, which helps them adapt to the conditions of open artificial ponds;
Blue Cuban crayfish. It has a calm, peaceful character, as a result of which it rarely attacks relatives and fish. With quality nutrition, this species grows to 8–12 cm in less than a year. It prefers moderately warm waters with a temperature of 23–25°C, so it takes root well in aquariums and pools, where each pair requires about 20 liters of water. To buy blue crayfish for breeding, you need to go to a large pet store;
Marble Cancer. It lives in well-heated reservoirs with a temperature of 20–28°C, where it grows up to 15 cm in two to three years. This species has no sexual division - each crayfish can simultaneously lay and fertilize up to 300 eggs. It calmly tolerates a planting density of up to 20 individuals per 100 liters of water, as it has a peaceful character. You can buy crayfish fry and adults for breeding in online stores or from private breeders;
Australian red claw crayfish. A heat-loving species that prefers water bodies with a temperature of 21–28°C. It is distinguished by its fleshiness up to 30% of body weight, fertility and growth rate - within a year, young animals reach a weight of 120–150 g with a body length of 12–15 cm. Thanks to their calm nature, they feel good at a stocking density of up to 25 pcs/m². You can buy Australian crayfish for breeding in nurseries in Astrakhan and the Krasnodar Territory.

Breeding methods

Popular methods for keeping crustaceans can be divided into two groups: the first involves the creation of identical natural conditions for breeding crayfish, while the second focuses exclusively on achieving maximum productivity through the formation of an artificial environment with optimal parameters for the development of the population.

open ponds

Breeding crayfish in a pond is characterized by high labor intensity at the initial stage: it is necessary to dig out several reservoirs with flat walls on the site and equip them with water circulation systems. The area of each can be 0.01–0.1 hectares with a depth of up to two meters. The bottom should be lined with clay, covered with sheets of polypropylene or plastic film, and then a layer of sand and stones should be poured on top, under which the crayfish can build their shelters.

In the future, the entrepreneur’s tasks are reduced to periodic monitoring of water quality, timely aeration and algae removal. It is also recommended to regularly feed pets, since with high planting densities, the volume of natural food supply may be insufficient. When listing other requirements for artificial ponds, it is necessary to mention that:

In order to avoid the death of livestock, reservoirs should under no circumstances completely freeze, so in cold climates it is advisable to deepen them to 3.5–4 m;
To prevent flowering and growth of microalgae, up to 30% of the total water volume must be replaced every two weeks;
Drainage ditches should be dug along the perimeter of the ponds, as well as strengthening the shoreline and creating shade by planting grass and trees.

Advantages of the method:

The cost of maintaining the reservoir is minimal;
The water in the ponds is partially aerated and purified by natural processes;
The development of a natural food supply allows you to save on the maintenance of crayfish.

Flaws:

In an open reservoir, crayfish grow quite slowly;
Permissible planting density - no more than 5-6 pieces / m²;
It is impossible to control the temperature and chemical composition of water;
To fill the ponds need a constant source of water supply;
It is necessary to think over ways to drain ponds - you cannot simply pour hundreds of tons of water into the garden or yard;
It is difficult to transplant young stock after breeding stock;
In winter, crayfish do not gain weight.

Aquariums

You can start breeding crayfish in an aquarium not only in the village, but also in urban conditions - just choose a room in which the temperature does not drop below 19–21°C. Here, several wide aquariums with a capacity of about 250 liters each are installed, filled with soil and plants, and then equipped with microclimate and water quality control systems.

As a business, breeding crayfish for sale in an aquarium involves large-scale investments - the cost of a tank equipped with everything necessary is comparable to the cost of equipping a pond with an area of 90–100 m². Therefore, this method is used mainly for keeping ornamental species, or for raising fry before planting in open ponds.

Advantages of the method:

Availability of an automated control system;
Ability to maintain any given temperature;
Thanks to the heating of water, crayfish do not go to winter;
The permissible planting density is up to 30 pcs/m².

Flaws:

High cost of equipment per unit of production;
Aquariums need to be cleaned regularly, water and plants changed.

RAS units

Special equipment for breeding crayfish is more cost-effective and practical than ponds: for example, under natural conditions, individuals reach marketable weight in 3–4 years, while in closed water supply installations this period is halved. Moreover, the ability to regulate the parameters of the aquatic environment in a RAS makes it possible to breed Australian crayfish and other productive species that grow to the required size in just 12–18 months.

Commercially available installations are equipped with equipment that makes it possible to purify water from impurities and waste residues, subject it to disinfection, heat it and saturate it with oxygen. They are placed in any insulated rooms where the temperature does not drop below 10°C: in a home farm, basements or sheds can be used as such.

Advantages of the method:

Water consumption is limited to the initial filling of the crayfish tanks and minor level adjustments after evaporation;
The growth rate of pets does not depend on the season and outdoor temperature;
The operation of the plant is fully automated;
The vital activity of the herd is perfectly controlled - females can be removed for spawning, fry can be sorted and crayfish can be kept separately for sale;
Stocking density of adults - up to 25 pcs/m², fry - up to 250 pcs/m².

Flaws:

High cost of equipment;
In the room, the humidity of the air rises significantly;
The operation of the installation is accompanied by the consumption of electricity.

Farm in the basement

The advantages of intensive crayfish breeding technologies fully compensate for the costs associated with setting up a farm: the productivity of a RAS installation with a capacity of 2 m³ is equivalent to the productivity of an open pond with an area of 80 m². In a small insulated basement 5x10 m, you can place five such installations and by breeding Australian red-clawed crayfish, you can annually obtain at least 120–130 kg of products. In the process of preparing the premises, the following must be considered:

The basement must be dry, free from fungus and mold, with concrete floors and walls. When pests are detected, it is necessary to use sulfur bombs and aerosol insecticides. It should be noted that crayfish can be introduced into pools only 12–14 days after treatment;
For active life, crayfish practically do not need light. In the basement it is enough to install several lamps at the rate of 5 W/m² and organize the duration of daylight within 10–11 hours;
The room must be equipped with an exhaust ventilation system, since the evaporation of water from the pools increases the humidity level.

Farm equipment

A farmer planning to buy equipment for breeding crayfish should know that fish tanks with a capacity of 2–3 m³ with high walls are not suitable for these purposes: their filling is accompanied by excessive water consumption, and operation is inconvenient due to the great depth. Therefore, for growing crayfish, special RAS are used, which are a frame with six polypropylene pools installed on it in three tiers. In this case, five containers with dimensions of 2000x830x250 are used for keeping the herd, and the sixth contains:

Circulation pump;
Biological filter;
Ultraviolet sterilizer lamp;
Heating elements;
Compressor for aeration.

An entrepreneur who has at his disposal five such three-tier RAS installations can organize the work of the farm as follows:

One pool is designed to support a broodstock of 30 animals (20 females and 10 males) with a stocking density of 18–20 pcs./m²;
Four tanks are used for seeding females for the incubation period and subsequent rearing of fry at a stocking density of 200–250 pcs./m²;
Four installations with five tanks each are used to maintain a commercial herd of 830 animals with a stocking density of 25 pcs./m².

Farm arrangement

Name	price, rub.	Qty	Amount, rub.
Three-tier RAS	116000	5	580000
Oximeter	12800	1	12800
Universal measuring device	1400	1	1400
Shelters for fry	2,9	900	2610
Shelters for young animals	7,7	900	6930
Shelters for broodstock	12,5	50	625
Feeders	150	50	7500
Lamp	1200	5	6000
Exhaust fan	3200	1	3200
electronic scales	2000	1	2000
Total:			623065

Considering the functional purpose of the equipment, it should be mentioned that:

An oximeter is used to measure the degree of oxygen saturation of water;
The universal measuring device is a conductometer, salinity meter and thermometer combined in one housing;
Shelters for adult crayfish and fry can be made from propylene pipes, cut into pieces 15–20 cm long;
Electronic scales are used to weigh feed and control the weight of livestock.

Breeding conditions and technology

Studying the species characteristics of crustaceans, one can notice that breeding Australian crayfish at home seems to be more profitable: firstly, they grow much faster than the well-known narrow-toed crayfish, and secondly, their cost on the market is three times higher than the price of crayfish. The step-by-step technology for growing the red claw species is as follows:

Purchased fry or adults are planted in RAS tanks;
Crayfish are raised to reproductive age;
Females with eggs are placed in free pools;
After a month, the fry are left in incubators, and the females are returned to the herd;
After two months, the grown young animals are distributed among the tanks.

After a year, the crayfish reach a weight of 130–150 g. Some of them are selected for the tribe, and the rest are sold wholesale or retail.

To create conditions comfortable for crayfish, it is necessary to adhere to the recommended values of the most important parameters of the aquatic environment at all stages:

Chemical composition of water

Purchasing young stock

When choosing where to buy crayfish for breeding, novice entrepreneurs often go to the supermarket or the nearest market, or collect fishing gear and try to catch specimens for the breeding stock in the nearest body of water. Meanwhile, these methods can hardly be considered effective:

Crayfish caught in the wild grow very slowly;
The natural environment is not sterile, as a result of which there is a danger of catching infected individuals;
When delivering to retail outlets, carriers are not bothered by creating ideal conditions for crayfish, which leads to drying out of the gills and oxygen starvation;
Stores most often receive rejected specimens that are not suitable for breeding.

Therefore, when searching for suitable suppliers, it is better to contact private breeders and specialized nurseries: here it is advisable not only to make sure that crayfish do not have diseases, but also to get advice regarding their breeding.

You can buy Australian crayfish and representatives of other heat-loving species for breeding at a price of 120 rubles per adult, while the cost of an ordinary narrow-clawed crayfish is 400–500 rubles per kilogram. In the process of forming a herd, you should adhere to a 2:1 proportion - in other words, the number of females should be twice the number of males.

Feeding

When using intensive technologies, there is usually no natural food supply in the pools, and therefore, in a business plan for crayfish breeding, it is necessary to provide for the costs associated with the purchase of feed. To formulate the diet of animals in an artificial environment, use:

Crushed corn, wheat, barley;
Minced fish and meat, bone meal;
Boiled mashed potatoes or carrots;
Steamed hay;
Oak or beech leaves as a natural antiseptic;
Larvae, insects, worms.

However, with a large population, it is more advisable to use ready-made mixed feed - as practice shows, crayfish willingly eat mixtures intended for salmon and carp fish. The daily feeding rate is 2% of body weight for commercial stock and 5–6% for spawning females: thus, the annual supply of food for raising crayfish is determined at the rate of 530–550 g for each individual.

Composition of feed for crayfish

Ingredient	For young animals	For adults
Wheat bran	–	25 g
Broken wheat	–	15 g
Sunflower meal	15 g	20 g
Soybean meal	15 g	20 g
Fish flour	35 g	5 g
Feed yeast	10 g	5 g
Bone flour	–	5 g
Powdered milk	20 g	5 g
Sunflower oil	5 g	2 g
Premix for fish	1 g	1 g

Reproduction and growth

In nature, crayfish mate in the fall, after which the female sticks the eggs under her tail and carries them during the winter. In heated reservoirs this pause is absent, so the breeding cycle lasts two months instead of six.

Depending on the species, the clutch volume is 100–500 eggs, most of which die. As a result, 40–60 larvae are born, which quickly gain weight, and within a month they acquire the ability to feed on their own. Under natural conditions, the survival rate of fry usually does not exceed 15–20%, while in RAS tanks, with abundant nutrition, up to 90% of the brood can be preserved.

During growth and development, crustaceans molt periodically - up to six times in the first year of life, and then two to three times annually. Due to the fact that this process does not occur simultaneously for the entire population, both smaller and larger individuals simultaneously find themselves in the pool at different stages of growth. To avoid cannibalism, it is recommended to place the latter in other tanks.

The molting stage itself is very dangerous for cancer: being left without a shell, covering gills and teeth, it becomes completely defenseless against aggressive relatives. Therefore, molting individuals tend to make a hole for themselves or find another shelter: the farm owner must provide them with this opportunity by placing pipe scraps, clay shards and stones on the bottom of the aquarium.

Paperwork

Unlike other types of agricultural business, the activities of a crayfish farm within the framework of private household plots can only be carried out when selling products to friends, since the sale of crayfish on the market or to other entrepreneurs requires the issuance of appropriate certificates. Therefore, the work of the enterprise should be legalized in the form of an individual entrepreneur or peasant farm; To avoid paying insurance premiums and completing unnecessary reporting, it is better to submit documents to the Federal Tax Service after receiving the catch.

From a legal point of view, crayfish farming can be presented as one of the branches of agriculture in the field of aquaculture. This means that the owner of a cancer farm is allowed to choose the Unified Agricultural Tax as a tax system at a rate of 6% of the total profit.

In addition, in accordance with legislation and sanitary requirements, retail stores and catering establishments purchasing products from a farmer may require such accompanying documentation as:

Sanitary passport of the vehicle used for transporting crayfish (can be obtained by contacting the veterinary station);
Declaration of conformity (issued by Rosselkhoznadzor);
Form No. 2 (can be obtained after providing samples of water and products to the veterinary service department);
Certificate of conformity GOST 50380-2005 (issued by both Rosselkhoznadzor and private certification bodies).

Investments

Organizing the work of a large enterprise requires knowledge, which can be acquired as a result of practical activities and studying the experience of other entrepreneurs - for example, by watching the video “Raising crayfish at home”:

Video on the topic

To organize the operation of the farm, the entrepreneur must first prepare the premises and install the required number of RAS units here. Then you should resolve the issue of food supply and buy crayfish for breeding: prices for adult representatives of productive species are in the range of 90–120 rubles per head.

The main expenses during the year will be associated with replenishing the stock of feed and paying for electricity: each installation consumes up to 700 Wh during initial heating of water and 250–300 Wh during operation.

Annual expenses

Expected earnings

Crayfish farming as a business - profitable or not? To determine the profitability of a crayfish farm, it is necessary to estimate the annual production volumes: for an enterprise using five RAS installations of the type described above, after an annual feeding, the output will be at least 830 individuals with a marketable weight within 150 g. Accordingly, the total weight of the herd will reach 124.5 kg.

Australian crayfish of the indicated sizes on the market is valued at 1,500–1,600 rubles per kilogram when sold live: the farmer’s total income in this case will be 199,200 rubles. Taking into account the amount of current expenses, we can calculate the annual profitability and payback period of the enterprise:

Economic parameters of a crayfish farm

Conclusion

Obviously, it is hardly advisable to consider raising a small population of crayfish as a source of main income: as calculations show, to make a profit of over 1 million rubles per year, an entrepreneur must have a whole complex of RAS installations with a total area of 200 m² or a pond farm with an area of up to 1600 m² .

The second task that a beginning farmer must solve is organizing sales: despite the high level of demand, only large stores have equipment for selling crayfish, and only a few catering establishments include dishes from them on the menu. At the initial level, this problem is solved by selling products to familiar and referred private clients, but increasing production volumes requires a qualitatively different approach. The solution may be close cooperation with fish shops or opening your own retail outlet, complemented by a full-fledged virtual representative office.
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In the current economic conditions, a novice entrepreneur has every chance to successfully start his own business. It is important to set priorities correctly and choose the area of application of your strength.

It’s worth taking a close look at this type of business, crayfish farming, which is a very interesting area. According to static data, there is an increase in consumption of this product, while supply remains limited.

Prospects

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

Thus, competition in this segment is relatively low. The upward trend in demand for this type of product remains unchanged, which helps maintain prices at a fairly high level.

Like any business, crayfish breeding will require initial investments, the volume of which is determined by the scale of the plans. Before making a responsible decision to open your own business, you study technology, experience of organizing a business at other enterprises, and other issues.

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

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

Preparation of a business plan

The middle zone and southern regions of our country are the natural habitat for crayfish, which can also be bred under artificial conditions.

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

Crustacean farming is carried out:

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

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

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

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

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

In addition to the pond, you will need young animals or larvae, food, materials for arrangement, etc. An entrepreneur starting this type of business should not count on a quick return on investment.

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

Organization of a crayfish farm

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

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

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

Experts recommend: covering the bottom of the pond with a special polymer film, which reliably isolates the reservoir from harmful substances from the soil entering it. The material is highly durable and will last at least 25 years if installed correctly.

The next step in organizing a farm will be purchasing the necessary equipment for breeding crayfish. The complete set includes:

Experienced entrepreneurs set up a system of three or more reservoirs that communicate with each other. This contributes to an increase in the production of crustaceans and better selection of species. To reduce the impact of the external environment, a polycarbonate greenhouse-type ceiling is installed over the reservoirs.

As the reservoirs are ready, larvae or young crustaceans are purchased, as well as feed in calculated quantities. The best implementation of preparatory activities will create the best conditions for starting, and subsequently developing, a business.

Where to buy crayfish for breeding

The current practice in our country involves certain difficulties in acquiring the required amount of living material to populate water bodies.

Existing farms are extremely reluctant to sell larvae or young animals. A way out of the situation may be to purchase adult individuals based on the ratio of two females to one male. Mating of crustaceans occurs in the fall; a fertilized female is easily identified by the presence of eggs in a special sac under the tail.

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

The meat of this type of arthropod is similar in taste and texture to sea lobster, one of the most expensive delicacies. Our country has experience in successfully breeding these crustaceans on a specialized farm near Astrakhan.

Video - experiments on growing Australian crayfish near Astrakhan:

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

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

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

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

Breeding technology

In the pond

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

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

The maximum permissible number of adult crayfish per square meter of pond area should not exceed 5 units. Before populating the drained reservoir, it is filled, after which the water is allowed to settle for at least two weeks, and preferably one month.

Once the reservoir is ready, instrumental monitoring of water quality for nitrate content is carried out; for arthropods, exceeding the maximum permissible doses is detrimental.

If the pond is properly arranged, crayfish do not need additional feeding; there is enough plankton, algae or larvae in the water.

To accelerate the growth of individuals, complementary feeding is carried out with vegetable scraps, mixed feed, meat and fish waste, as well as cereals soaked in water. Complementary feeding is carried out using special bottom devices, which are removed from the water after a certain time.

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

In special aquariums

In artificially created environmental conditions, it is quite possible to achieve year-round growth of arthropods. To maintain them, specially designed tanks with a capacity of at least 250 liters are required.

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

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

Two plots before moving in, the aquariums are filled with water and plants are planted in the ground. After which the crayfish are lowered into the tank, there should be at least 5 liters of water per individual.

The technology for breeding crayfish in artificial conditions involves keeping ornamental breeds such as Cuban blues. They are an excellent addition to a home aquarium, but before you start, you need to do a little market research. The agreement with large pet stores will facilitate the accelerated sale of grown products.

At home

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

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

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

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

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

Requirements for an artificial pond:

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

Such a pool for breeding crayfish can be dug manually yourself or with the help of professional diggers. The amount of work is quite significant, but quite manageable.

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

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

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

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

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

The article deliberately did not provide examples; they may vary greatly in different regions.

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

Video - how crayfish farming occurs in Louisiana:

Breeding crayfish as a business does not bring profit so quickly, but due to the small development of this niche, competition is not great.

An option with less investment is growing in aquariums; when keeping individuals in a pond, you will have to spend more money, but the benefits will be more noticeable.

This is a relatively new way of earning money, so there is not so much competition in the market.

The costs of setting up your own crayfish farm will not pay off so quickly.

But with proper planning, over time you can get a stable income from this type of investment.

Crayfish breeding business: where to start

Registration gives more guarantees to clients, and opens additional doors to the market for farmers.

There are two options here:

if only cultivation is planned, the business is registered under OKVED code 01.21 (breeding of domestic animals);
for retail trade follows 23 (retail sale of fish products).

In general, crayfish farming as a business at home can be called a fairly profitable business.

Depending on the scale, you can recoup the costs of setting up a farm within a year.

However, significant profits can be achieved after 4-6 years.

Breeding crayfish will not provide tangible income so quickly, but subsequently the benefits will only grow.

This niche has not yet been fully developed, so the competition here is not so high.

Crayfish farming business idea

Crayfish farming as a business: Useful tips for beginning farmers

Breeding crayfish on a private plot is a simple and profitable business. To raise arthropods at home, you need to acquire a pond and maintain minimally comfortable conditions for its inhabitants. Experts give recommendations on where to start and how best to build the process of growing crayfish. Video tips will help you understand in more detail.

Basics of crayfish breeding. Preparatory work

The entire process of growing crayfish can be established with minimal financial investment. But you will have to be patient. Crayfish grow over 2-3 years. Accordingly, starting from scratch, until this time you will not receive either delicious meat or profit. But you will need to constantly feed the animals and care for them.

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

For breeding, it is better to use purchased purebred individuals. Crayfish caught in a regular reservoir grow more slowly.
Adult arthropods should be purchased. You can raise young animals on your own.
The optimal ratio of males and females for good offspring is 1:2.

For breeding it is better to use purebred crayfish

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

Advice. You don't have to buy males if the females have eggs on legs.

How to properly equip a pond

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

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

Attention! You cannot renew more than 30% of the volume of a reservoir at a time. This will lead to disruption of the microclimate.

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

Pond for growing crayfish

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

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

The best types of crayfish to breed at home

Having equipped a place for growing, proceed to purchasing a living base for propagation. The following varieties are popular among crayfish lovers:

Australian. Has a good layer of meat. It is grown only in buried artificial reservoirs. Comfortable volume for 3-4 individuals - 100 l. Inside, you should equip many holes and shelters for feeding, resting, and molting. They eat dead fish, bread crumbs, algae, and special food.
Blue Cuban. Small looking. It is unpretentious, except that it needs a water temperature of about +26 °C. The water itself must be hard. It is also necessary to equip many shelters in the reservoir. The species develops into an adult in just six months.

Blue Cuban crayfish

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

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

Crayfish Care

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

Separate and transplant each new young generation to another pond.
In the spring, catch the females and transplant them into another container. This will help prevent cannibalism and maintain the size of the colony.
The optimal temperature for females is +22 °C or slightly lower.

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

Attention! You can't overfeed crayfish. It's better not to feed.

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

Breeding crayfish for sale is a profitable business

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

Additional equipment for crayfish breeding

Greater efficiency can be achieved by improving the living conditions of animals. To do this, for example, you can equip a reservoir with an air compressor. The device will prevent water from stagnating in the pond. An oxidizer will do a good job. In autumn, the device is installed at the bottom of natural reservoirs and in winter saturates the water with oxygen.

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