An auxiliary device for blue crab breeding
By using a lifting platform to drive the synchronous lifting and lowering of the water tank and sand bed, and water circulation, combined with microporous aeration and salinity adjustment, the problem of insufficient environmental control in traditional cement ponds is solved. This enables dynamic adjustment and efficient management of the mud crab breeding environment, improving the survival rate of larvae and breeding efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NINGBO UNIV
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
AI Technical Summary
Traditional cement ponds are difficult to precisely control environmental parameters in mud crab breeding. The bottom sediment differs greatly from the natural habitat, leading to stress reactions in mud crabs. Management is extensive and the survival rate of juveniles is low. It is impossible to accurately monitor superior parent crabs. Uneven distribution of water flow and dissolved oxygen also affects breeding efficiency.
A breeding lifting mechanism is adopted, which drives the water tank and sand bed to rise and fall synchronously through the lifting platform, so as to realize the contact and separation of parent crabs and sand. Combined with water circulation and dynamic bottom sediment regulation, a synergistic breeding mode is formed. Micropore aeration and gradient salinity regulation are used to provide a stable breeding environment.
It enables dynamic regulation of the breeding environment of mud crabs, improves the adaptability of parent crabs and the survival rate of larvae, reduces stress response, enhances breeding efficiency and data monitoring accuracy, and promotes the efficient and large-scale development of mud crab breeding.
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Figure CN224572056U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of mud crab farming technology, specifically to a mud crab breeding auxiliary device. Background Technology
[0002] In the field of artificial breeding of mud crabs, the industry has long relied on traditional cement ponds for breeding. These cement ponds are typically simple rectangular structures, which have significant shortcomings in terms of environmental adaptability. On the one hand, environmental parameters such as water temperature and salinity in cement ponds are difficult to control precisely, and mud crab breeding is extremely sensitive to environmental factors such as water temperature and salinity. The fixed structure of cement ponds cannot flexibly adjust environmental conditions according to the needs of different developmental stages of mud crabs. On the other hand, the bottom of cement ponds is mostly hard, which is quite different from the sandy bottom of mudflats where mud crabs naturally inhabit. The parent crabs lack suitable digging and resting places and are prone to stress reactions due to environmental discomfort, which in turn affects the egg-carrying rate and mating success rate.
[0003] Meanwhile, the management of individual mud crabs in traditional cement pond breeding is relatively extensive. Parent crabs and juveniles are often raised together in the same pond, and parent crabs may prey on juveniles due to foraging and territorial disputes, greatly reducing juvenile survival rates. Furthermore, it is impossible to accurately monitor and manage the breeding status of individual parent crabs, hindering the selection of superior parent species and the collection of breeding data. In addition, water flow and dissolved oxygen are difficult to distribute evenly in cement ponds, easily leading to localized oxygen deficiency, uneaten feed accumulation, and fecal buildup, further deteriorating the breeding environment and resulting in consistently low juvenile survival rates. This severely restricts the efficient and large-scale development of the artificial breeding industry for mud crabs. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, a breeding auxiliary device for mud crabs is provided. By adjusting the height of the sand bed through a lifting platform, the device switches between "parent crab-sand body contact" and "parent crab-sand body separation". At the same time, the device utilizes water circulation in the water tank to maintain a stable breeding environment, forming a collaborative breeding model of "dynamic substrate + water body regulation".
[0005] To address the problems of existing technologies, this utility model provides a breeding auxiliary device for mud crabs, including a breeding box, a partitioned cultivation module, and a breeding lifting mechanism. The breeding lifting mechanism is disposed within the breeding box and includes a water tank for carrying water, a sand bed for carrying sand, and a lifting platform. The water tank is located on top of the lifting platform and has an outlet and inlet structure. The sand bed is disposed within the water tank and can move up and down with the lifting platform, and has several first through holes. The partitioned cultivation module is used to place parent crabs. The upper end of the partitioned breeding module is connected to the breeding box, and the lower end of the partitioned breeding module can enter the activity range of the breeding lifting mechanism. The sand in the sand bed can enter the partitioned cultivation module to achieve contact between the parent crabs and the sand.
[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the partitioned breeding module includes a cage and a partition drawer. The upper end of the cage is detachably connected to the breeding box, and the lower end of the cage is provided with a partition layer. The partition drawer is pull-out and disposed in the partition layer. The cage is used to place parent crabs, and the juveniles separated from the parent crabs can enter the partition drawer.
[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cage body is formed by connecting a plurality of connecting ribs, and a fence is provided at the lower edge of the cage body. The partition drawer and the fence are respectively provided with second through holes, and the diameter of the second through hole is larger than the diameter of the first through hole.
[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a microporous aeration unit is further provided in the water tank. The microporous aeration unit includes an air pump, an air supply pipeline, and a bubble distribution plate. The bubble distribution plate is laid horizontally at the bottom of the water tank. The bubble distribution plate is provided with a plurality of aeration micropores. The air pump is connected to the bubble distribution plate through the air supply pipeline. The air pump is electrically connected to the main control module.
[0009] According to one embodiment of this utility model, a gradient salinity adjustment unit is further provided in the water tank. The gradient salinity adjustment unit includes a salinity sensor, a salt storage tank, a liquid injection pump, a freshwater storage tank, and a mixing chamber. The salinity sensor and the liquid injection pump are both electrically connected to the main control module. The salt storage tank and the freshwater storage tank are both connected to the mixing chamber through pipelines. The outlet of the mixing chamber is connected to the water tank through the liquid injection pump. The salinity sensor is set in the water tank. The salinity sensor detects the salinity of the water in the water tank and transmits the signal to the main control module. The main control module controls the opening and closing degree of the valves on the pipelines of the salt storage tank and the freshwater storage tank according to the detection signal.
[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water inlet structure of the water tank includes a water collection tank, the water collection tank is provided with a plurality of diversion holes, the diversion holes are connected to the interior of the water tank, and the water outlet structure is provided at the bottom of the water tank and within the projection range of the bottom of the partitioned cultivation module.
[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the edge of the sand bed overlaps the edge of the water tank.
[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a light-shielding cover is hinged to the top of the breeding box, and the light-shielding cover is made of an opaque material.
[0013] The advantages of this utility model compared to the prior art are: 1. The breeding lifting mechanism, as a dynamic control component, drives the water tank and sand bed to rise and fall synchronously via a lifting platform: the water tank is used to hold water and is equipped with an inlet / outlet structure to achieve water circulation; the sand bed is placed in the water tank and interacts with the water through the first through hole on its surface (such as seepage and aeration), and adjusts its relative position with the partitioned breeding module as the lifting platform moves. The height of the sand bed is adjusted by the lifting platform to achieve the switching between "parent crab-sand body contact" and "parent crab-sand body separation". At the same time, the water circulation in the water tank is used to maintain the stability of the breeding environment, forming a collaborative breeding mode of "dynamic substrate + water body control". Attached Figure Description
[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a mud crab breeding auxiliary device according to this utility model. Figure 1 .
[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a mud crab breeding auxiliary device according to this utility model. Figure 2 .
[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the split structure of a mud crab breeding auxiliary device according to this utility model.
[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the partitioned cultivation module and the breeding lifting mechanism of a mud crab breeding auxiliary device according to this utility model.
[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the separate structure of the partitioned cultivation module and the breeding lifting mechanism of a mud crab breeding auxiliary device according to this utility model.
[0019] Figure 6 This is an exploded structural diagram of the water tank, sand bed, and zoned cultivation module of a mud crab breeding auxiliary device according to this utility model.
[0020] Figure 7This is a cross-sectional structural diagram showing the connection between the water tank, sand bed, and zoned cultivation module of a mud crab breeding auxiliary device according to this utility model.
[0021] The diagram is labeled as follows: 1. Breeding box; 10. Light-blocking cover; 2. Zoned cultivation module; 20. Cage; 200. Connecting rib; 201. Divider layer; 21. Divider drawer; 3. Breeding lifting mechanism; 30. Water tank; 300. Water inlet structure; 301. Water outlet structure; 31. Sand bed; 32. Lifting platform; 4. Microporous aeration unit; 40. Bubble distribution plate. Detailed Implementation
[0022] To further understand the features, technical means, and specific objectives and functions achieved by this utility model, the following detailed description of this utility model is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0023] like Figures 1-7 As shown, this utility model provides a breeding auxiliary device for mud crabs, including a breeding box 1, a partitioned breeding module 2, and a breeding lifting mechanism 3. The breeding lifting mechanism 3 is installed inside the breeding box 1 and includes a water tank 30 for carrying water, a sand bed 31 for carrying sand, and a lifting platform 32. The water tank 30 is installed on top of the lifting platform 32, and a water outlet structure 301 and a water inlet structure 300 are provided inside the water tank 30. The sand bed 31 is installed inside the water tank 30 and can move up and down with the lifting platform 32. Several first through holes are provided on the sand bed 31. The partitioned breeding module 2 is used to place parent crabs. The upper end of the partitioned breeding module is connected to the breeding box 1, and the lower end of the partitioned breeding module can enter the activity range of the breeding lifting mechanism 3. The sand in the sand bed 31 can enter the partitioned breeding module 2 to achieve contact between the parent crabs and the sand.
[0024] The breeding lifting mechanism 3, as a dynamic control component, drives the water tank 30 and sand bed 31 to rise and fall synchronously through the lifting platform 32: the water tank 30 is used to carry water and is equipped with an inlet / outlet structure 301 to realize water circulation; the sand bed 31 is placed in the water tank 30 and interacts with the water through the first through hole on the surface (such as seepage and ventilation), and adjusts its relative position with the partitioned breeding module 2 as the lifting platform 32 moves. The height of the sand bed 31 is adjusted by the lifting platform 32 to realize the switching between "parent crab-sand body contact" and "parent crab-sand body separation". At the same time, the water circulation of the water tank 30 is used to maintain the stability of the breeding environment, forming a collaborative breeding mode of "dynamic substrate + water body control".
[0025] The zoned breeding module 2 includes a cage 20 and a divider drawer 21. The upper part of the cage 20 is detachably connected to the breeding box 1, and the lower part of the cage 20 is equipped with a divider layer 201. The divider drawer 21 is pulled out and installed in the divider layer 201. The cage 20 is used to hold the parent crabs, and the larvae that separate from the parent crabs can enter the divider drawer 21. The divider drawer 21 serves as a collection space for the larvae and adopts a pull-out design (similar to a drawer) installed below the divider layer 201. After the parent crabs hatch, the larvae that fall off can fall into the divider drawer 21 through the through holes in the divider layer 201, realizing zoned breeding with "parent crabs on top and larvae on the bottom". It should be noted that the parent crabs can come into contact with the water. The key link of simulating the natural habitat by the parent crabs coming into contact with the sand is to reduce the stress caused by environmental discomfort. For this purpose, several biomimetic ceramic tube groups can be set up in the zoned breeding module to provide "burrowing" places for the parent crabs.
[0026] The cage body 20 is formed by connecting several connecting ribs 200. A fence is provided at the lower edge of the cage body 20. A second through hole is provided on the partition drawer 21 and the fence respectively. The diameter of the second through hole is larger than the diameter of the first through hole.
[0027] Because mud crabs are berried crabs (female adult crabs attach their eggs to their abdominal appendages after laying them), the crab eggs do not separate from the mother as "unhatched eggs." Only when the embryo within the egg fully develops and hatches into a larva capable of independent movement will it detach from the mother. The size of the larvae when detached is generally between 0.5-0.8 mm. The sand on the sand bed 31 is preferably fine sand, with a diameter controlled between 0.1-0.5 mm. This ensures that the sand grains are not too coarse, which could scratch the parent crab's abdomen, nor too fine, which would cause the sand to clump together when wet, resulting in poor aeration and difficulty in larval separation. Specifically, the diameter of the second through-hole is controlled between 0.5-3.0 mm, and the diameter of the first through-hole is controlled between 0.1-... The sand size is between 0.5mm and 0.5mm, allowing the sand in the sand bed 31 to enter the cage 20. Water in the water trough 30 can enter the sand through the first through-hole. When it is necessary to initially separate the parent crabs and juveniles in the partitioned rearing module 2, the lifting platform 32 controls the water trough 30 to gradually lower. At this time, the sand bed 31 moves downwards along with the water trough 30, causing the breeding lifting mechanism 3 to gradually separate from the partitioned rearing module 2. Because water enters through the water inlet structure 300 in the water trough 30, it can flush the sand entering the partitioned rearing module 2, gradually flushing some of the sand into the sand bed 31, or into the sand bed 31 through the second through-hole. Since the juveniles are larger than the fine sand, the parent crabs can remain in the cage 20. When the bottom of the cage 20... Figures 5-6 As shown, it consists of several connecting rods. The juveniles can enter the partition drawer 21 through the gaps between the connecting rods. When the lifting platform 32 drives the bottom of the partitioned breeding module 2 to completely detach from the breeding lifting mechanism 3, the parent crabs and juveniles are initially separated by pulling out the partition drawer 21.
[0028] The water tank 30 is also equipped with a microporous aeration unit 4, which includes an air pump, an air supply pipeline, and a bubble distribution plate 40. The bubble distribution plate 40 is laid horizontally at the bottom of the water tank 30 and has multiple aeration micropores. The air pump is connected to the bubble distribution plate 40 through the air supply pipeline and is electrically connected to the main control module. During the breeding stage of the parent crabs, the water tank 30 and the sand bed 31 provide a simulation of the natural habitat for the parent crabs. The water flow velocity in the water inlet structure 300 is relatively slow, which can cause less disturbance to the parent crabs. Figure 7 As shown, compressed air generated by the air pump in the microporous aeration unit 4 enters the bubble distribution plate 40 through the air supply pipeline. The compressed air is then cut into tiny bubbles through the micropores. As the bubbles rise, they come into full contact with the water, dissolving oxygen from the air and increasing the dissolved oxygen content in the water tank 30. Simultaneously, the rising bubbles drive water flow, promoting uniform mixing of the water in the tank 30. A diaphragm-type silent air pump (operating noise ≤40 decibels) is preferably used, and a silencer is installed at the air pump inlet to avoid the stress caused by noise on the parent crabs.
[0029] The water tank 30 is also equipped with a gradient salinity adjustment unit, which includes a salinity sensor, a salt storage tank, a liquid injection pump, a freshwater storage tank, and a mixing chamber. The salinity sensor and the liquid injection pump are electrically connected to the main control module. The salt storage tank and the freshwater storage tank are connected to the mixing chamber through pipelines. The outlet of the mixing chamber is connected to the water tank 30 through the liquid injection pump. The salinity sensor is installed in the water tank 30. The salinity sensor detects the salinity of the water in the water tank 30 and transmits the signal to the main control module. The main control module controls the opening and closing of the valves on the pipelines of the salt storage tank and the freshwater storage tank according to the detection signal.
[0030] For example, when the salinity sensor detects that the salinity of water tank 30 has dropped to 24‰ (below the lower limit of the suitable threshold for parent crabs), the signal is transmitted to the main control module. The main control module determines that the salinity needs to be increased and instructs the opening degree of the solenoid valve of the salt storage tank to increase from 30% to 50%, and the opening degree of the solenoid valve of the freshwater storage tank to decrease from 70% to 50%. High-concentration brine and freshwater flow into the mixing chamber at a 1:1 ratio and are mixed by the agitator to form a suitable brine of 27.5‰. The injection pump injects the mixed brine into water tank 30 at a flow rate of 0.5L / min. When the salinity sensor detects that the salinity of water tank 30 has risen to 26‰ (reaching the preset threshold), the main control module instructs the valve to restore the initial opening degree, stops the salinity adjustment, and completes one closed-loop control cycle.
[0031] It should be noted that the lifting drive structure of the lifting platform 32 is electrically connected to the main control module, which can control the lifting direction and speed of the lifting platform 32.
[0032] The water inlet structure 300 of the water tank 30 includes a water collection tank 30 with several diversion holes connected to the interior of the water tank 30. The water outlet structure 301 is located at the bottom of the water tank 30 and within the projection range of the bottom of the partitioned cultivation module 2. External water (pretreated aquaculture water) first enters the water collection tank 30, where it undergoes initial buffering to prevent direct impact on the sand bed 31 or the parent crab habitat within the water tank 30. Subsequently, the water is slowly injected into the water tank 30 in the form of multiple fine streams through the diversion holes on the water collection tank 30. Preferably, the gradient salinity adjustment unit is integrated with the water inlet structure 300, and the outlet of the mixing chamber is connected to the water inlet structure 300 via a liquid injection pump, allowing the water to enter the water tank 300 through the water inlet structure 300, further optimizing the device.
[0033] The edge of the sand bed 31 overlaps the edge of the water tank 30. For example... Figures 3-4 As shown, since the sand bed 31 can confine the sand within it, and the water flowing in the water tank 30 can carry away the fine impurities in the water in the sand bed 31, as well as the excrement produced by the parent crabs, if some small crab larvae enter the sand bed 31 through the second through hole, the larvae and sand particles can be separated by the overall filtration of the sand bed 31. The larvae can be allowed to grow in the sand for a certain period of time before the separation of the larvae and sand particles is completed. Similarly, when the sand particles are large, they will be intercepted by the second through hole and remain in the separator 21. At this time, if the separator 21 is pulled out, some sand particles and larvae will be inside.
[0034] The top of the breeding box 1 is fitted with a hinged light-shielding cover 10, which is made of an opaque material. For example... Figures 1-2 As shown, the light-shielding cover 2 is connected to the top of the breeding box 1 via hinges and other components, allowing the light-shielding cover 10 to rotate and open around the hinge axis. The "opaque material" is typically made of high-density plastic sheets, metal-coated sheets, or thickened light-shielding fabric composite panels. The light-shielding cover 10 (opaque material + closable design) completely blocks strong light from outside the box (such as direct natural light or excessive indoor lighting), creating a low-light or dark environment inside the box similar to its natural habitat, thus preventing stress reactions in the parent crabs due to strong light stimulation. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As shown, the breeding box 1 includes a base plate, frame columns, and frame plates. Four sets of frame columns are set at the corners of the base plate. The frame plates are inserted between two of the frame columns to form an enclosing structure. The light-shielding plate is hinged to one of the frame plates. The upper edge of the partitioned cultivation module 10 overlaps the upper edge of the two sets of frame plates that are arranged opposite each other. An opening fan is set on one of the frame plates in the direction of the pull-out of the partitioned drawer 21. The partitioned drawer 21 on the partitioned cultivation module 2, which has been separated from the breeding lifting mechanism 3, can be pulled out by opening the opening fan to collect the larvae.
[0035] The above embodiments only illustrate one or more implementations of this utility model, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A breeding auxiliary device for mud crabs, characterized in that, Includes a breeding box (1), a zoned cultivation module (2), and a breeding lifting mechanism (3); The breeding lifting mechanism (3) is installed inside the breeding box (1). The breeding lifting mechanism (3) includes a water tank (30) for carrying water, a sand bed (31) for carrying sand, and a lifting platform (32). The water tank (30) is installed on the top of the lifting platform (32). The water tank (30) is provided with an outlet structure (301) and an inlet structure (300). The sand bed (31) is installed inside the water tank (30) and can move up and down with the lifting platform (32). The sand bed (31) is provided with several first through holes. The partitioned breeding module (2) is used to place parent crabs. The upper end of the partitioned breeding module is connected to the breeding box (1). The lower end of the partitioned breeding module can enter the activity range of the breeding lifting mechanism (3). The sand in the sand bed (31) can enter the partitioned breeding module (2) to achieve contact between the parent crabs and the sand.
2. The blue crab broodstock rearing aid of claim 1, wherein, The partitioned breeding module (2) includes a cage (20) and a partition drawer (21). The upper end of the cage (20) is detachably connected to the breeding box (1). The lower end of the cage (20) is provided with a partition layer (201). The partition drawer (21) can be pulled out and is located in the partition layer (201). The cage (20) is used to place parent crabs. The juveniles separated from the parent crabs can enter the partition drawer (21).
3. The blue crab broodstock rearing aid of claim 2, wherein: The cage (20) is formed by connecting several connecting ribs (200). A fence is provided at the lower edge of the cage (20). A second through hole is provided on the divider (21) and the fence respectively. The diameter of the second through hole is larger than the diameter of the first through hole.
4. The blue crab broodstock rearing aid of claim 1, wherein: The water tank (30) is also equipped with a microporous aeration unit (4). The microporous aeration unit (4) includes an air pump, an air supply pipeline and a bubble distribution plate (40). The bubble distribution plate (40) is laid horizontally at the bottom of the water tank (30). The bubble distribution plate (40) is provided with multiple aeration micropores. The air pump is connected to the bubble distribution plate (40) through the air supply pipeline. The air pump is electrically connected to the main control module.
5. The blue crab broodstock rearing aid of claim 4, wherein, The water tank (30) is also equipped with a gradient salinity adjustment unit. The gradient salinity adjustment unit includes a salinity sensor, a salt storage tank, a liquid injection pump, a fresh water storage tank and a mixing chamber. The salinity sensor and the liquid injection pump are electrically connected to the main control module. The salt storage tank and the fresh water storage tank are connected to the mixing chamber through pipelines. The outlet of the mixing chamber is connected to the water tank (30) through the liquid injection pump. The salinity sensor is set in the water tank (30). The salinity sensor detects the salinity of the water in the water tank (30) and transmits the signal to the main control module. The main control module controls the opening and closing degree of the valves of the salt storage tank and the fresh water storage tank pipeline according to the detection signal.
6. The blue crab broodstock rearing aid of claim 1, wherein: The water inlet structure (300) of the water tank (30) includes a water collection tank (30), and a plurality of diversion holes are provided on the water collection tank (30). The diversion holes are connected to the interior of the water tank (30). The water outlet structure (301) is located at the bottom of the water tank (30) and within the projection range of the bottom of the partitioned cultivation module (2).
7. The blue crab broodstock rearing aid of claim 1, wherein: The edge of the sand bed (31) overlaps the edge of the water tank (30).
8. The blue crab broodstock rearing aid of claim 1, wherein: The top of the breeding box (1) is fitted with a light-shielding cover (10), which is made of an opaque material.