Taipu Hairy Crab, a subspecies of the Japanese velvet crab, is commonly known as hairy crabs, stone crabs, or simply crabs. It is mainly found in the Nanliujiang and Qinjiang River basins in Guangxi. Hepu County is unique because it's the only area where the Nanliujiang River flows into the sea, making it rich in hairy crab resources. Su Xixi, a farmer from Dali Village in Dangjiang Township, Hepu County, began crab farming in 1996 and became one of the most successful farmers in the region. In 1997, he harvested 160 kilograms of crabs at 100 yuan per kilogram, earning a profit of 10,000 yuan. The following year, he harvested 180 kilograms and made 11,000 yuan. In the first half of 1999, with support from the township government, he invested 40,000 yuan to build a 6-mu pond and expanded his operation. That year, he harvested 120 kilograms and earned over 6,000 yuan. Later, he achieved a harvest of 585 kilograms and made a profit of 21,000 yuan.
Su Xixi’s key techniques for raising Taipu Hairy Crabs include:
1. **Site Selection and Pond Construction**: Located at the mouth of the Nanliujiang River, Dangjiang Town has abundant crab resources and natural food sources. Su built his pond near a tributary of the river, ensuring a fresh water supply and a muddy bottom. The pond entrance and exit were positioned opposite each other, and a metal mesh fence was installed to prevent escape and predation. To stop crabs from escaping, he built a 1-meter-high wall around the pond using bricks and added a 20-centimeter-wide glass strip along the top. The inner walls were cemented for durability and better anti-escape performance. The pond was rectangular and oriented east-west, with furrows and ridges every 1.5 meters, reaching a height of 1.1 meters. The depth ranged between 1.0 and 1.5 meters.
2. **Pond Disinfection**: Before stocking crabs, the pond was drained, cleaned, and left to dry for several days. Then, 75–100 kg of lime was used to thoroughly disinfect the pond, killing harmful organisms and ensuring a healthy environment for the crabs.
3. **Aquatic Plant Cultivation**: More than a third of the pond area was planted with aquatic plants such as water hyacinth, duckweed, and water peanuts. These provided shelter, shade during hot weather, improved water quality, and served as a food source, promoting healthy growth and survival of the crabs.
4. **Crab Seedling Selection**: Local natural seedlings were preferred due to their strong adaptability and high survival rate. Su selected healthy crabs with intact limbs and avoided those that were injured or sick. Seedlings were stocked at a density of 2,500–3,500 per mu, with a size of 60–100 per kilogram. After 3–4 months of farming, they could be sold when reaching 65–90 grams per piece.
5. **Water Quality Management**: Clean, fresh water with good oxygen levels and clarity was essential. As crabs grew, water exchange was done frequently, especially during summer, keeping the water depth above 1 meter to maintain optimal conditions.
6. **Feeding Practices**: Hairy crabs are omnivorous, and Su primarily fed them animal-based foods like snails, small fish, oysters, and clams, supplemented with plant-based feeds such as bean cakes and rice bran. He fed them once or twice daily, with the amount equaling about 10% of their body weight. Chitin-rich feed and lime were also used to promote shell development.
7. **Disease Prevention**: Every 10 days, Su treated the pond with lime water (10–20 mg/L) or formalin (5–10 mg/L). He also added antibiotics like terramycin to the bait to boost the crabs’ immunity and prevent disease.
Through these careful practices, Su Xixi successfully developed a sustainable and profitable crab farming business, setting an example for others in the region.
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