Oysters and crabs farmed in saline-alkali ponds in Xinjiang

Shu said he developed the variety jointly with Shanghai Ocean University. After trials in 2024 and 2025, he has been working full-time in Xinjiang this year on large-scale breeding. About 150,000 crab seedlings were stocked this year across 10 hectares. The crabs are sold mainly across China, including Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, and in Central Asian countries.

"Local conditions suit the species well," Shu said. He explained that snowmelt from the Tianshan Mountains is free of industrial pollution and rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc—minerals suited to crustacean growth. He added that abundant sunshine and the absence of a plum rain season help keep pond water at around 28 C, which he said is optimal for the crabs.

The snowmelt is first diverted to a reservoir and left to settle for two to three days before being pumped into the ponds. Because the native water is highly alkaline, with a pH of 10 to 11, Shu adds lactic acid bacteria and organic carbon sources. These bring it into the 7.5–8.5 range crabs prefer and cultivate beneficial microbes.

Water grass collected from local rivers gives the crabs shelter, provides a natural source of vitamins, and helps keep the water clean. Shu also carries out regular pond-bottom improvement and adds trace elements and beneficial bacteria. He uses bacteria cultured on site and fermented manure with small amounts of fertilizer.

The crabs are fed high-protein compound feed transported from Huzhou, supplemented with corn, wheat, and pond grass.

"High protein in the feed improves the crabs' condition, which lowers disease rates and raises survival rates," Shu said.