A method for cultivating sandworms using artificial habitat tubes

Abstract

A method for cultivating sandworms using artificial perches includes: measuring the body size of the sandworms, constructing a U-shaped artificial perch, placing the sandworms in a water tank, and rearing and harvesting. By using a modified PVC transparent flexible tube, an artificial perch suitable for sandworm growth is simulated. The inner ring of the tube allows the sandworms to adapt to the perch environment, enabling them to grow within it. This method facilitates laboratory observation of the sandworms' growth status and ecological behavior, and is easy to harvest manually. It significantly reduces the need for sediments such as marine mud in polychaete farming, providing a simple and rapid method for polychaete farming and scientific experiments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of aquaculture technology, and specifically relates to a method for cultivating sandworms using artificial tubes. Background Technology

[0002] Sandworms belong to the phylum Annelida, class Polychaeta, and are marine animals that inhabit the bottom of ocean sediments. The marine sediments in which sandworms live are mostly mud, sandy mud, or sea mud mixed with gravel and shell fragments. Under normal living conditions, sandworms dig burrows in the sea mud, forming their own burrows, and then enter and exit within these burrows, developing a unique feeding and lifestyle.

[0003] In traditional factory or indoor farming, sandworms require a certain thickness of mud or sandy substrate, approximately 10-20 cm thick. This substrate makes it impossible to observe the sandworms' growth and confirm whether they have reached a harvestable stage. Furthermore, manual harvesting is difficult, typically requiring the use of specialized iron rakes to rake the soil, followed by manual removal of the sandworms one by one. During this rakeing process, the sandworms are often damaged, resulting in broken body segments. Moreover, with the significant increase in labor costs, harvesting costs are rising rapidly.

[0004] Meanwhile, the ecological behavior of sandworms needs to be observed during laboratory cultivation. Currently, reports on sandworm farming mostly focus on various different farming methods. For example, in 2023, Huang Yongqiang et al. reported on the pond farming method of *Nereis rubrum* in an ecological farming experiment; in 2022, Zhang Bin et al. reported on the plant-based facility farming device and farming method of sandworms; and in 2021, Luo Huaming et al. reported on the cement pond farming method of sandworms. These are all farming methods with various substrates or substrates. In addition, in 2012, Yang Wei et al. explored the gonadal development of *Nereis bidentata* raised in a Gracilaria habitat, and conducted a sandworm parent culture experiment using Gracilaria as a substrate. In 2010, Yang Wei reported on the effect of temperature on the parent culture of *Nereis bidentata* under soilless culture conditions, although it was explicitly stated as soilless, the substrate was actually Gracilaria. All of the above reports use plants as the substrate for their breeding. Although sandworms do not burrow into the soil, they still burrow intricately within the plants, making them relatively difficult to capture and observe. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a method for cultivating sandworms using artificial perches, which is an innovative soilless breeding method for sandworms, forming a new breeding method that is easy to observe the growth status and ecological behavior of sandworms and easy to harvest.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in this invention:

[0007] A method for culturing sandworms using artificial tubes includes the following steps:

[0008] S1. Measure the body size of the sandworm;

[0009] S2. Construct a U-shaped artificial perch: Bend a PVC transparent hose and tie its two ends together with a thin rope or rubber band to form a U-shaped artificial perch.

[0010] S3. Place the sandworms into the U-shaped artificial habitat constructed in S2, and then place them in the pool;

[0011] S4. Breeding: Place the artificial perches containing sandworms obtained in S3 side by side in the breeding pond. Use an air pump to introduce oxygen into the pond and place feed at the opening of the artificial perches to ensure that the sandworms can eat and grow normally.

[0012] Preferably, in S1, the sandworms to be raised are placed in seawater containing alcohol. After the sandworms fully stretch out their bodies, filter paper is used to absorb the moisture from their body surface, and their maximum body length is measured.

[0013] Take another sandworm of the same size and put it into seawater containing alcohol. The sandworm's body will completely shrink. After the surface moisture is absorbed by filter paper, its maximum body width is measured.

[0014] Preferably, in step S1, the sandworm is placed in seawater containing 5%-10% alcohol to allow its body to fully expand.

[0015] Preferably, in step S1, the sandworm is placed in seawater containing 70%-75% alcohol, causing its body to completely shrink.

[0016] Preferably, in S2, the artificial perch is a transparent PVC hose.

[0017] Preferably, the artificial perch has several inner rings, and a small hole is provided in the middle of the upper part of the inner rings.

[0018] Preferably, the inner diameter of the artificial habitat is 1.5 times the maximum body width of the sandworm measured in S1, and its length is 2 times the maximum body length of the sandworm measured in S1.

[0019] Preferably, the inner ring of the S2 tube is a foamed polyethylene cylinder;

[0020] The inner ring length of the tube is 0.5-1cm, and its diameter is equal to the inner diameter of the artificial perch tube;

[0021] The diameter of the small hole inside the inner ring of the tube is equal to the maximum body width of the sandworm measured in S1, and the length of the inner hole is equal to the length of the inner ring of the tube.

[0022] Preferably, a first inner ring, a second inner ring, and / or a third inner tube are placed on the artificial perch from left to right.

[0023] The second inner ring is located in the middle of the artificial perch, and the first inner ring and / or the third inner ring are 0.5-1cm away from one end of the artificial perch.

[0024] Preferably, the present invention also includes the harvesting of sandworms. The specific operation is as follows: observe the growth of sandworms outside the perch tube. When the sandworms grow up and need to be harvested, use a small hook to take out the inner ring of one end of the artificial perch tube, untie the thin rope or rubber band binding the artificial perch tube to restore it to a straight shape, and pour the sandworms directly out of the tube.

[0025] In summary, the technical solution of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] This invention utilizes a modified transparent plastic tube to artificially simulate a suitable habitat for sandworms. The inner ring of the tube enables the sandworms to adapt to the habitat, allowing them to grow in the habitat. This facilitates laboratory observation of the sandworms' growth status and ecological behavior, and makes them easy to harvest artificially. It greatly reduces the need for sediments such as marine mud in polychaete farming, providing a simple and quick method for polychaete farming and scientific experiments.

[0027] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the U-shaped artificial perch provided in Examples 1 and 2. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this invention shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] A method for culturing *Pteris vittata* using artificial perches includes the following steps:

[0033] S1. Measuring the body size of sandworms: Place the sandworms to be raised in a seawater petri dish containing 10% alcohol to allow their bodies to fully expand. After removing them, use filter paper to absorb the moisture on their body surface and measure their maximum body length (L) with a ruler.

[0034] Take two-toothed sandworms of the same size and specifications, place them in another seawater petri dish containing 75% alcohol, and after they are anesthetized and contracted, take them out, dry their body surface with filter paper, and measure their maximum body width (W) with a ruler.

[0035] S2. Construct a U-shaped artificial habitat: The artificial habitat is a transparent PVC tube. The inner diameter (D) of the artificial habitat is 1.5 times the maximum body width (W) of the sandworm measured in S1, and its length (C) is 2 times the maximum body length (L) of the sandworm measured in S1.

[0036] The artificial perch has an inner ring, and a small hole is located in the middle of the upper part of the inner ring. The diameter (K) of the hole is equal to the maximum body width (W) of the sandworm measured in S1, and the length of the inner hole is 0.5 cm.

[0037] The inner ring of the tube is a foamed polyethylene cylinder with a length of 0.5 cm and a diameter equal to the inner diameter (D) of the artificial perch tube;

[0038] Place the first inner ring, the second inner ring, and the third inner ring in the artificial perch from left to right; the second inner ring is placed in the middle of the artificial perch, and the first inner ring and the third inner ring are 0.8 cm away from one end of the artificial perch.

[0039] The artificial perch is bent and its two ends are tied together with thin rope to form a U-shaped artificial perch, similar to the burrow of the double-toothed sandworm.

[0040] S3. Place the double-toothed sandworm into the U-shaped artificial habitat constructed in S2, and then place it in the pool;

[0041] S4. Breeding: Place 100 artificial perches containing double-toothed sandworms side by side in a breeding pond. Use an air pump to introduce oxygen into the pond and place feed at the opening of the artificial perches to ensure that the sandworms can eat and grow normally.

[0042] This embodiment also includes the harvesting of *Synthia septemlobus*. The specific operation is as follows: observe the growth of *Synthia septemlobus* outside the perch tube. When the perch grows up and needs to be harvested, use a small hook to remove the inner ring of one end of the artificial perch tube, untie the thin rope binding the artificial perch tube to restore it to a straight shape, and pour the perch tube directly out of the tube.

[0043] Example 2

[0044] A method for culturing Japanese spiny silkworms using artificial perches includes the following steps:

[0045] S1. Measuring the body size of the sandworm: Place the Japanese sandworms to be raised in a seawater petri dish containing 5% alcohol to allow their bodies to fully expand. After removing them, use filter paper to absorb the moisture on their body surface and measure their maximum body length (L) with a ruler.

[0046] Take Japanese spiny worms of the same size and specifications, place them in another seawater petri dish containing 70% alcohol, and after anesthetizing and contracting their bodies, take them out and use filter paper to absorb the moisture on their body surface, and measure their maximum body width (W) with a ruler.

[0047] S2. Construct a U-shaped artificial habitat: The artificial habitat is a transparent PVC tube. The inner diameter (D) of the artificial habitat is 1.5 times the maximum body width (W) of the sandworm measured in S1, and its length (C) is 2 times the maximum body length (L) of the sandworm measured in S1.

[0048] The artificial perch has an inner ring, and a small hole is located in the middle of the upper part of the inner ring. The diameter (K) of the hole is equal to the maximum body width (W) of the sandworm measured in S1, and the length of the inner hole is 0.5 cm.

[0049] The inner ring of the tube is a foamed polyethylene cylinder with a length of 0.5 cm and a diameter equal to the inner diameter (D) of the artificial perch tube;

[0050] Place the first inner ring, the second inner ring, and the third inner ring in the artificial perch from left to right; the second inner ring is placed in the middle of the artificial perch, and the first inner ring and the third inner ring are 0.5 cm away from one end of the artificial perch.

[0051] The artificial perch is bent and its two ends are tied together with rubber bands to form a U-shaped artificial perch, similar to the burrow of the Japanese spiny silkworm.

[0052] S3. Place the Japanese spiny silkworm into the U-shaped artificial habitat constructed in S2, and then place it in the pool;

[0053] S4. Breeding: Place 150 artificial perches containing Japanese spiny sandworms side by side in a breeding pond. Use an air pump to introduce oxygen into the pond and place feed at the opening of the artificial perches to ensure that the sandworms can eat and grow normally.

[0054] This embodiment also includes the harvesting of Japanese spiny sandworms. The specific operation is as follows: observe the growth of Japanese spiny sandworms outside the perch. When the sandworms grow up and need to be harvested, use a small hook to take out the inner ring of one end of the artificial perch. Untie the rubber band binding the artificial perch to restore it to a straight shape, and pour the sandworms directly out of the perch.

[0055] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the technical solutions of the present invention, and these modifications or equivalent substitutions cannot cause the modified technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for culturing sandworms using artificial tubes, characterized in that, The steps include: S1. Measure the body size of the sandworm; S2. Construct a U-shaped artificial perch: Bend a PVC transparent hose and tie its two ends together with a thin rope or rubber band to form a U-shaped artificial perch. S3. Place the sandworms into the U-shaped artificial habitat constructed in S2, and then place them in the pool; S4. Breeding: Place the artificial perches containing sandworms obtained in S3 side by side in the breeding pond. Use an air pump to introduce oxygen into the pond and place feed at the opening of the artificial perches to ensure that the sandworms can eat and grow normally. In S2, several inner rings are installed inside the artificial perch, and a small hole is provided in the middle of the upper part of the inner ring; The inner diameter of the artificial perch is 1.5 times the maximum body width of the sandworm measured in S1, and its length is 2 times the maximum body length of the sandworm measured in S1. The inner ring of the S2 tube is a foamed polyethylene cylinder; The inner ring length of the tube is 0.5-1cm, and its diameter is equal to the inner diameter of the artificial perch tube; The diameter of the small hole inside the inner ring of the tube is equal to the maximum body width of the sandworm measured in S1, and the length of the inner hole is equal to the length of the inner ring of the tube.

2. The method for cultivating sandworms using artificial tubes according to claim 1, characterized in that, In S1, the sandworms to be raised were placed in seawater containing alcohol. After the sandworms fully stretched out their bodies, the filter paper was used to absorb the moisture from their bodies, and their maximum body length was measured. Take another sandworm of the same size and put it into seawater containing alcohol. The sandworm's body will completely shrink. After the surface moisture is absorbed by filter paper, its maximum body width is measured.

3. The method for cultivating sandworms using artificial tubes according to claim 2, characterized in that, In S1, sandworms are placed in seawater containing 5%-10% alcohol to allow their bodies to fully expand.

4. The method for cultivating sandworms using artificial tubes according to claim 2, characterized in that, In S1, sandworms are placed in seawater containing 70%-75% alcohol, causing their bodies to completely shrink.

5. The method for cultivating sandworms using artificial tubes according to claim 1, characterized in that, From left to right, the first inner ring, the second inner ring, and / or the third inner tube are placed on the artificial perch. The second inner ring is located in the middle of the artificial perch, and the first inner ring and / or the third inner ring are 0.5-1cm away from one end of the artificial perch.

6. The method for cultivating sandworms using artificial tubes according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes the harvesting of sandworms. The specific operation is as follows: observe the growth of sandworms outside the artificial perch. When the sandworms grow up and need to be harvested, use a small hook to take out the inner ring of one end of the artificial perch. Untie the thin rope or rubber band binding the artificial perch to restore it to a straight shape, and pour the sandworms directly out of the perch.

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