Liyang Freshwater Shrimp

Liyang Freshwater Shrimp

Liyang Freshwater Shrimp is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Liyang Freshwater Shrimp is a specialty of Liyang, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province.

　　The pond farming of freshwater shrimp in Shezhu Town, Liyang City, originated in the early 1990s. After more than 20 years of breeding summaries and development, the farming techniques for Liyang Freshwater Shrimp have become increasingly mature. The farming area now covers 45,000 mu, involving 982 households. Currently, Shezhu Town is the largest and nationally renowned key area for freshwater shrimp farming in Jiangsu Province. The town has established 42 aquatic farming professional cooperatives, owns one 10,000-mu high-efficiency freshwater shrimp farming demonstration base (Santa Dang), six 1,000-mu high-efficiency freshwater shrimp farming demonstration bases, 68 freshwater shrimp brokers, and sells Liyang Freshwater Shrimp to over ten large and medium-sized cities including Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi, and Changzhou. It also has a direct sales outlet for Liyang Freshwater Shrimp at the Changzhou Lingjiatang Agricultural and Sideline Products Wholesale Market, a national-level aquatic trading wholesale center, as well as offices in the aquatic product markets of Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, and Wuxi, achieving an integrated production–supply–sales chain and forming an industrial scale.

　　In 2013, the total output of Liyang Freshwater Shrimp in the town was 3,800 tons, with a total sales value of 350 million yuan. The yield per mu exceeded 110 kilograms, with an average net profit of 5,000 yuan per mu, and up to 7,000–8,000 yuan at the highest.

　　The body of Liyang Freshwater Shrimp consists of the head, thorax, and abdomen. The head and thorax are completely fused and are called the cephalothorax. The entire body has 20 segments: 5 in the head, 8 in the thorax, and 7 in the abdomen. The exterior is covered with a chitinous shell that protects the internal organs and anchors the muscles, hence referred to as the “exoskeleton.” The cephalothoracic shell is a single, unsegmented piece called the carapace, with a sharp rostrum protruding forward from the front end. The rostrum of Liyang Freshwater Shrimp is relatively straight, with neat rows of serrations along both its upper and lower edges, known as rostral teeth. The number of these teeth is a characteristic used for classification. The abdominal shell remains segmented. There are soft membranes connecting the anterior and posterior shells and between the cephalothorax and abdominal shell, allowing the body to bend freely. Except for the last abdominal segment—the telson—each segment has one pair of appendages. These appendages are specialized into various shapes based on their functions. The five pairs of head appendages are transformed into the first and second antennae, which serve as olfactory and tactile organs, while the mandibles, along with the first and second maxillae, form the mouthparts. The eight pairs of thoracic appendages include the first three pairs in the middle and front, which are the first, second, and third maxillipeds—also part of the mouthparts and involved in feeding. The last five pairs are walking legs, with the first and second pairs ending in pincer-like claws, the second pair being particularly robust and strong, especially in male shrimp. The last three pairs of walking legs end in a single claw. The abdominal segments, except for the telson, each have one pair of appendages. All six pairs are biramous, with the first to fifth pairs being flat and paddle-shaped, called pleopods, which function in swimming, jumping, and egg-carrying. The sixth pair extends backward and, together with the telson, forms the tail fan, which helps with balance and orientation during swimming. At the front end of the cephalothorax, on both sides of the base of the rostrum, there is a pair of freely movable compound eyes. Nutritional value of Liyang Freshwater Shrimp: Shrimp are warm in nature and sweet in taste, associated with the liver and kidney meridians. They are believed to nourish kidney yang, promote lactation, detoxify, enrich blood and consolidate essence, resolve stasis and toxins, benefit qi and nourish yang, open meridians and relieve pain, stimulate appetite, and resolve phlegm.

　　Liyang Freshwater Shrimp

　　 Liyang City Freshwater Shrimp Breeding Association

　　 13517943

　　 Shrimp (live)