METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BREEDING ROES OR EGGS OF AQUATIC ANIMALS

Abstract: A method for breeding roes or eggs of aquatic animals wherein suitable living-space is provided for them and therein, the roes or eggs are hatched. According to the improvement in this invention, during the hatching, the roes or eggs are held at least partly in gaseous environment and a gas exchange of the roes or eggs is provided at least partly from the gaseous environment, wherein the living-space is humidified for avoiding desiccation of the roes or eggs. An apparatus for breeding roes or eggs of aquatic animals having a container for providing suitable living-space for the roes or eggs. According to the improvement in this invention, the living-space for pre-hatching and hatching the roes or eggs is provided in a heat-isolated and semi-hermetically closed thermostat chamber (1) providing a regulated gaseous environment within the container.

Description: METHOD AND APPARATUS FC BREEDING 0E3 OR EGGS OF AQUATIC ANIMALS Field αf the Invention This invention relates to a method for breeding roes or eggs αf aquatic animals wherein suitable living-space iε provided for tnem and therein, the roes or eggs are hatched. The in¬ vention also relates to an apparatus for breeding roes or eggs cf aquatic animals having a container for providing suitaϋle living-space for the roes or eggs. bac πround cf the Invention In the conventional industrial systems of propagation of aquatic animals, their roes or eggs are separated and special living-spaces are provided for them. In all cases, the gas exchange being necessary for the evolution of the roes or eggs is provided from the water which has to be streamed through the living-space constantly in a great amount. However, the conventional methods and apparatusses for arti- ficial creeaing of the roes cr eggs nave numerous problems. As it is known, the normal evolution of the roes or eggs necessitates specially treated water which has to be streamed in great amount for providing the intensive gas exchange as required by the roes or sggs. This has its reason in the fact that not only the embryo growing in the roes or eggs has to be fed with oxygen but the carbon dioxide produced by them and the nitrogen resulting from the autolysis of the died embryos have to be removed from the water. For reducing the water consumption, it has been suggested earlier to regenerate and recycle the water coming out of the living-space of the known solutions. It has been proven, however, that this don't make ' easier " and cheaper the artifi- cial breeding of roes or eggs since, for recycling, clearing and regeneration, at least so many machines, materials and energy are needed as for clearing and treating the newly in¬ troduced fresh water. Nevertheless, the conventional solution occupies a relatively big surface area and it can only be erected only in the neighborhood of an adapted water source and energy source. All these factors mean a considerable hindrance in.the way of the breeding of roes or eggs under industrial circumstances. Therefore, the oreeding of roes or eggs is not solved until yet in the quality and amount as required in today's agricul¬ ture. Essence of the Invention The main object of this invention is to eliminate the above said deficiencies and to provide a method and an apparatus for breeding roes or eggs of aquatic animals wherein optimal circumstances can be provided for their evolution and, thus, they can be rescued to β greater extent as before for further raising. Another object of the invention is to provide a safe, reliable and automatic function also with regard to the special sensitiveness of the roes or eggs. Further to this, the construction should oe simple end easy to operate. According to the improvement of the known method in this in¬ vention, during the hatching, the roes or eggs are held in gaseous environment and a gas exchange of the roes or eggs is provided at least partly from the gaseous environment, wherein the living-space is humidified for avoiding desicca¬ tion of the roes or eggs. According to a preferred realization of the method in this invention, the breeding is realized in a first pre-hatchiπg period, in a second hatching period and in a__third preraiε- iπg period, and in the first pre-hatching period gaseous environment, in the second hatching period liquid and gaseous environment and in a third pre-raising period liquid environ¬ ment are used. According to a further embodiment, the living-space oi ' the first pre-hatching period and cf the second hatching period is heat isolated and semi-hermetically closed against the out-world. In this case, it is also possible that the gaseous environ¬ ment of the first pre-hatching period has a constant tempera¬ ture and a relative moisture content of 100 percent. According to a further preferred realization of the method in this invention, an et least partly πoncontinuous gas exchange- is provided between the gaseous environment of the first pre- hatching period and the out-world. It is also preferred, when the hatched roes or eggs are sepa¬ ratee in the second hatching period and they are forwarded by a liquid medium into the living-space cf tht. third pre- raising period. According to a further preferred realization, the liquid me¬ dium of the third pre-raising period is held in constant streaming and larvae to be further raised are separated from it by gathering them on one side of the living-space of the third pre-raising period and by removing wastes from the other side. According to the improvement of the apparatus in this inven¬ tion, the living-space for pre-hatching and hatching the roeε or eggs is provided in a neat-isolated and semi-hermetically closed thermostat chamber providing a regulated jaseouε envi¬ ronment within the container. In a preferrec embodiment cf the apparatus in this invention, at least one filter plate holding the roes or eggs and under each filter plate, a thermostat chamber containing a liquid medium are arranged within the thermostat chamber, and measurements of holes cf the filter plate are smaller than the measurements of the roes or eggs but greater than that of the living larvas. Therein, the filter plates can be arranged in a frame being connected to a moving oevice immersing the filter plates into a liquid medium contained in the tray. The embodiment cf the invention is also preferred, wherein a ventilation device, a heat exchanger oevice and, preferably, a humidifier are arranged. It is also preferred according to the invention, when a basin containing a treated liquid having constant quality and serving as the living-space αf the hatched larvas is pro¬ vided, which is separated from other parts cf the apparatus. Therein, a water treating device and a filtering device sepa¬ rating the larvas from the waste material are provided within the casin. According to a furtner aspect of thε invention, the water treating device has a heat feeler, a cooler, a heaτεr and a circulating pump which are immersed into the liquid of the basin. According τo a further preferred embodiment, the filtering device nas an electronic separating filter, a pump circula¬ ting the liquid and a mechanical filter. It is finally preferred, when an electronic circuitry con¬ trolling processes of tne living-spaces is provided. Brief Description of the ' Drawing Further objects and αetaiis of the invention will be de¬ scribed hereinafter on the basis of preferred examples with reference to the accompanyin drawing, in which: The single figure shows diapram atically a preferred emoodi- ent of the apparatus of this invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment In xne sense of the invention, the roes or eggs are pre- hatcheα ano hatched in the same equipment: in s tnermostat chamber 1. Therein, filter plates 2 are stretcheα onto a frame 3. Filter plates 2 are made of an artificial material and their holes are smaller than the measurements of the roes or eggs but greater than that of the living larvas. ϋnαer each filter plate 2. a tray 4 is arranged which contains a liquid medium 5 being necessary for the hatching pεrioe. As it is clear from the figure, more than one filter plate 2 and tray 4 are arranged one below and beside the other. For this, more framε: holders 6 are arranpeo within the thermostat cha oεr 1 and each has a ovinα device 7 shown schematically in the figure for vertically displacing the filter plates 2. Relatively short movement is necessary which can be provided e. g. by an endless chain guided by pulleys round and round and the filter plates 2 can be connected to members of the chain. In the inside αf the thermostat chamber 1, an artificial cli¬ mate is provided, separately for the pre-hatching period and for the hatching period cf the rσεs cr eggs. Fcr this, ε heating coil E, a cooling coil 9 and, nearby to them, a ven¬ tilator 10 circulating the air in the thermostat chamber 1 as well as appliances for letting liquid onto and leading it away from the trays 4 are provided in the inside of thermos- tat chamber 1. In sense of the invention, the living-space within the ther¬ mostat chamber 1 is humidified for avoiding the cesiccation of the roes or eggs. Therefore, a humidifier 11 is alsc arranged in the thermostat chamber 1. It is important to provide a uniform dispersion of the gaseous medium in the thermostat chamber 1, thus, guide blades 12 are arranged on suitable places within the thermostat chamber 1. These fea- turεs are shown in the figure in a quite schematic form since their arrangement, forms and measurements will vary always according to the requirements of the aquatic animals to be bred. The gaseous medium within the thermostat chamber 1 is to be refreshed at least periodically. The thermostat chamoεr 1 is therefore semi-hermetic and it has openings 14 which can be closed by non-return valves 13. In one of the openings 14, a ventilator 15 is provided for blowing air into thermostat cnamber 1. In this way, the living-space within thermostat chamber 1 is fed with fresh air in a regulated way. The climate within thermostat cha oer 1 is controlled oy feelers 16 which are for example feelers of temperature, humidity etc. The thermostat chamber 1 is equipped with auxiliary devices. To cooling coil 9, a heat exchanger.17 is attached, onto which a cooling aggregate 18 as well as, in given case, more than one water heaters 19 are connected. Simultaneously, che ical agents, medicines and the like can be introduced int thermostat chamber 1. Containers 20 of these agents are to b connected into the conduits through which the liquid medium is transferred onto trays 4. In the sense of the invention, the living space of the bre larvas are separated from the other living spaces and i iormeri aε 3 aasiπ 21. In this oasin 21, the larvas are pre- raised for being livable also under natural circumstances. In □asm 21. a liquid medium, i. e. treated water 22 is provided in suitable quality and amount. Therefore, a water treating αsvicε 23 as well as a filtering device 24 are arranged within basin 21. The water treating device 23 has a circula¬ ting pump 25 and a heat feeler 26 for water 22. The desired Temperature of water 22 can be adjusted by a cooler 27 and oy a heater 28. Thε orεd larvas for further raising are separated from the wastes contained in the water 22 with the helπ of filtering αsvics 24. For this, a pump 25 and a mechanical filter 3u ars provided in water 22. It is, however, a difficult problem to separate the bred and living larvas from the dead wastes, since thsrε> isn't any significant difference between their measurements. For this purpose, an electronic seoarsting filter 31 is applied here for separating the living from the oeac. On the effect of this separating filter 31. the larvas will corns together quite away from separating filter 31, c. ς, . in the left side cf thε basin 21 whilst the oead waste will stream in water 22 towaros a pipe-stub 32 iettiπc out τno wastes inτc the channel. On the left side of th& oasiπ 21, a pipe-stub 33 and ε controllable valve 35 closing the pipe-stub 33 are provided and through them, the pre-raised larvas can be taken out from basin 21 with the necessary amounτ of water 22. The devices within thermostat chamber 1 as well aε those attached tc thermostat chamber 1 arc operated and controlled by en electronic circuitry 36 which can be formed in simplest manner as a microprocessor. It is shown by interrupted lines, all remote-controlled organs are connected through control lines to electronic circuitry 3£ of the apparatus. There are aisc connected operating organs 37 and 38, througn which starting parameters can be given in and the operation αf the apparatus can be influenced. At the same time, the opera¬ tional conditions can be displayed at e. g. operating organ 37. A preferred realization of the method in this invention will be described in connection with the operation of the pre¬ ferred embodiment of the apparatus as shown in the figure. The impregnated roes or eggs are first swelled out and made free of stickiness as usual. Thereafter, the roes or eggs are placed on filter plate 2 stretched onto frame 3 and the filter plates 2 are arranged in the thermostat chamber 1 by connecting frames 3 of filter plates 2 to moving device 7. The trays 4 are arranged under filter plates 2 and the first phase, the pre-breeding of the roes or eggs is started. For this, filter plates 2 with frames 3 are immersed into an an¬ tibiotic solution for a short time and the desired parameters αf the living-space of the pre-breeding will be adjusted. With heating coil 6, the air is warmed up or with cooling coil 9, its cooled, but in cooling coil 9, warm water can alternatively be circulated. In the latter case, the warm water is derived from one of water heaters 19. On other hand, the cooled water is proσuced in cooling aggregate 16 with tne interconnection of heat exchanger 17. In the meanwhile, the inside of thermostat chamber 1 is aerated by opening non-return valves 13 and energizing venti¬ lator 15. If, according to signals coming from feelers 16, the climate within thermostat chamber 1 is not satisfactory, electronic circuitry 36 switches humidifier 11 as well as heating coil 8 and/or cooling coil 9 on. At the end of pre-breeding period, the second breeding period is started. Therein, another living-space, namely liquid medium 5 and increased temperature are needed by the roes or eggs. According to this, electronic circuitry 36 gives command to increas; the inner temperature of thermostat chamber 1 aε well as tc stream ilquic medium 5 having the sa ε temperature onto trays 4. Thereafter, filter plates 2 vitπ roes cr eggs thereon are immersed by moving device 7 into liquid medium 5 contained in trays 4. As α result cf the increased temperature and the liquid medium 5, the hatch-out and the production of the enzyme solvinπ the shield of the roes or eggs will start, Thereafter, tne larvas get πatched in ε chain reaction. During this, ventilator ID are conti- nuousiy switched on. User to the end of the αreediπg period, filter plates 2 are lifted and immersed several times and the liquid mediur.i 5 wasnes through filter plates 2 as well as the hatched larvas. As is mentioned earlier, the measurements cf holes of filter plates 2 are for 1stting the; larvas through them but ior retaining the wastes such as thα shields of the larvas. At the vary end cf the oreediπg psriod, electronic circuitry 36 opens thε valves cf liquid medium 5 , and the liquid medium > wasnεs out the livxnr, larvas iron, tray 4 inτc basin 21 as shown by arrows 35. With this, thε thirc pre-raising period starts for providing liveable individuals. T e necessitated quality cf water 22 in basin 21 is provided oy water treating devicu 23. wherein cooler 27 and heater 28 adjust thε temperature of water 22 aε mentioned above. Despite the described construction of filter plates 2 . ε let of waste material gets into basin 21. The living animals and the αeac wastes have nearly the same dimensions which will be separated from each other by filtering device 24, the mecha¬ nical filter 30 cf which will prevent thε bigger wastes from streaming pack into casiπ 21. The living iervaε are neld away from pips-stub 32 letting OUT the wastes. When valve 33 is opened, the wastes are removed through pipe-stub 32, whilst filter louvres 4G are closed by electronic circuitry 36. The liveable small aπi.ϊiais to ac further used will be removec frorπ basin 21 through pipe-stub 33 by opening a valve 33. _> As ix is proven oy τhe experiments, surprinsingly high percent of the roes or eggs gets natcheti and nearly all cf the liveable larvas survive the tribulations of tht_ oreediππ and pre-raising. Tnis is true despite the fact that not the D -specially treated water of great amount is needed " in this invention, out the pre-hatchinα is carried out without any water and for the hatching, extremely small amount G liquid fii& iu.T. 5 is used only. The larvas ore-raised in basin 21 iε relative liveable, thus, they need relatively small amount of i? water 22. ks a matter of course, the simplest realization under iaoora- tory circumstances is only described in the above specifica¬ tion. When the idea of the invention is ta be realized in ϋ manufacturing cr industrial sizes, the machinery necessitated by this can find utilization, however, the feaτures Described in the main claims have to be taken into consideration.

Claims: - 11 - Claims : i. A method for breeding roes or eggs of aquatic animals wherein suitable living-space is provided for them and therein, the roes or eggs are hatched, c h a r a c t e ¬ i z e in that during the hatching, the roes or eggs are held at least partly in gaseous environment and a gas ex¬ change of the roes or eggs is provided at least partly from the gaseous environment, wherein the living-space is huroidi- fied for avoiding desiccation of the roes or eggs. 2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein thε breeding is realized in a first pre-hatching period, In a second hatching period and in a third pre-raising period, and in the first pre-hatching period gaseous environment, in the second hatching period liquid and gaseous environment and in a third pre-raising period liquid environment are provided. 3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the living- space of the first pre-hatching period and of the second hatching period is heat isolated and semi-hermetically closed against the out-world. 4. A method as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the gaseous environment of the first pre-hatching period has a constant temperature and a relative moisture content of 100 percent. 5. A method aε claimed In Claim 3 or 4, wherein en at least noncontinuous gas exchange is provided between the gaseous environment of the first pre-hatching period and the out-world. a. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the hatched roes or eggs are separated in the second hatching period and they are forwarded by a liquid medium into the living-space of the third pre-raising period. 7. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 7, wnεrsi~ the liquid medium of tne third prs-raisiπs period is held in constant streaming and larvss to r _. ϊurtner raised are separated from it oy gathering them on one side of thε living-space of the thirc pre-raiεing period and by removing wastes from the other side. 3. An apparatus for breeding roes or eggs of a uatic animals having a container fcr providing suitable living- space for tne ross cr eggs, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that ths living-space for pre-hatching and hatching t e ross or sags is provided in a heat-isolateα and secrά-hermetically closed thermostat cnambεr Cl) providing a regulated gaseous environment within the container. _- » . An apparatus as claimed in Claim S, nerein at least one filter plate (2) holding the roes or eggs and, under each filter plate (2), a tray (4) containing a liquid medium are arranged within the thermostat chamber (1), and measurements of holes of the filter plate (2) are smaller than the measurements of the roes or eggs but greater than that of thε living larvas. 1C An apparatus as claimed in Claim 9. wherein the filter plates (2) are arranged in a frame (3) being connected to a moving device (7) immersing the filter plates (2) into a liquid medium (5) contained in the tray (4). 11 An apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims S to 10, wherein a ventilation devict. 5 a heat exchanger oevics and, preferably, a humidifier (11) are arranged. 12 An apparatus as claimed in any αn3 ci Claims 6 to 11 } wherein a oasin (21) containing a treated liquid naving constant quality as the living-space cf the hatched larvas and being separated from other parts of the apparatus is provideo, 13_ An apparatus as claimed in Clair>. 11, wherein a water 3 treatinri oevicb (23) ano a filtering device (24) separating the larvas from tne waste material are provided within the oasiπ (2i). 14. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the I water treating device (23) has a heat feeler (26), ε cooler (27), a neater (2B) and a circulating pump (25) which are immersed into the iiquio ci the oasin (21). I . . An apparatus as claimeo in Claim 13 or 1-4, wherein lb the filtering device (24) has an electronic separatinμ filter (31), a pump (29) circulating the liquic and __ mechanical iiixei (30). 16. An apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims o to 15, 20 wherein an electronic circuitry (36) controlling processes of tne iivinπ-spaces is provided.

Inventors: BERCSENYI MIKLOS, LASZLO LAJOS, NAGY ANDRAS, BERCSENYI, MIKLOS, LASZLO, LAJOS, NAGY, ANDRAS
Applicants: BERCSENYI MIKLOS, LASZLO LAJOS, NAGY ANDRAS, BERCSENYI, MIKLOS, LASZLO, LAJOS, NAGY, ANDRAS
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A01K61
IPC codes: A01K61