Our news on Sinar Harian and Utusan Malaysia!!

Today 16 March 2009, we have seen our faces and news on the previous exco visits in two newspapers which is Sinar Harian and Utusan Malaysia. Yes, we are now famous, hehe. But it covers Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and maybe Johor. However, many people noticed us at least here in Ulu Bendul. Our salesman Mr Radzi's handphone never stops ringing from people who are asking about the training and all udang galah related questions. Finally, TrueAqua is more and more recognized. Here are some photos to share.

The Biggest Event In TrueAqua History!!

Last Thursday 12th March 2009, we had the biggest event involving the government exco and also the press. This event is big, we had to prepare earlier including some proposal paper, bulletin, presentations, udang galah BBQ events, catering and also harvest during the visit.

The main man here is:
Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Bertindak Pertanian, Industri Asas Tani, Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi Negeri Sembilan - Datuk Yunus Rahmat

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Bertindak Pembangunan Modal Insan, Belia dan Sukan Negeri Sembilan - Abdul Samad Ibrahim

Pengarah Jabatan Perikanan Negeri Sembilan - Wan Muhammad Aznan Abdullah

Pengarah Jabatan Pertanian Negeri Sembilan - Zabidi Dun

Other than that, few members of the said department, Agro Bank, TEKUN members, MARDI officers, Jabatan Veterinar Negeri Sembilan officers and also press from Sinar Harian and Utusan Malaysia. A total of 36+ people visit our farm at the same time.

OK, here's the itinerary for that day:
1) Introduction by Jabatan Perikanan
2) Doa by local Imam/ Head of Kg Ulu Bendul
3) Intro and presentation by TrueAqua (En Fadzil bin Zainun - JAY)
4) Intro by Pengarah Jabatan Perikanan
5) Harvest by TrueAqua
6) Press Conference
7) BBQ and lunch
8) Photography Session

Here are some photos to share the event:


Jabatan Perikanan officer En Amran giving the introduction.



Presentation by TrueAqua rep - Mr A.Fadzil aka Jay






Harvest time!! This is the most awaited events!!


Press Conference by Sinar Harian and Utusan Malaysia - unfortunately it only covers state news segment, not national segment



BBQ event!!! 10kgs of fresh udang galah!!!



Special gifts for the excos - live udang galah!!!


Group photo - All the excos, directors, managers with TrueAqua


Alhamdulillah!! After a long day and sleepless night, finally we are all happy and able to have our lunch but without the BBQ prawns!! Dah kena sebat awal2 beb!!! Laku giler!!

As a conclusion, all visitors were very impressed with us and admits that udang galah business is very promising. Datuk Yunus Rahmat especially, is amazed by us the 4 graduates who pursue our dreams into this business which is totally unparallel with our academic background. Hopefully, with this kind of exposure, with bring us more opportunity to work with the government, universities and private bodies. Also, more exposure (due to the press) means more business. Amin

Delivery System

Udang Galah is a very sensitive creature when it comes to water quality. This includes oxygen, temperature and also pH. To transport live prawns from the farm to another destination of about 2-3 hours journey requires a handful of knowledge and patience if you dont want your prawns to arrive dead. We in TrueAqua have encounter many customers ranging from amateur to of 10 years experience in handling. The difference is too big and therefore we want to share a few tips for you out there who wants to do delivery of udang galah.

1) To carry 100kg or more udang galah you should use a pick up or a lorry or a van.
2) You should have a fibre tank with lid custom made for the delivery
3) DC blower which can be tapped from the vehicle's battery to supply air
4) Aeration system inside the fibre tank
5) Temperature indicator at the dash board - ideal temp is 13 degrees celcius
6) Loads of ice

To increase the area inside the tank and reduce stress, sometimes people used basket to create multiple levels for ther shrimp to sit. The shrimp will be in 'hibernate' mode when inside a very cold water and will not be active and aggresive, so less mortality is expected. Usually the soft shell will die so try to avoid to buy them in this situation. Maybe some pics below should help people to understand more on the delivery system.

200 grams Udang Galah

With the recent fatality of our 300 grams udang galah, we have found the replacement but a bit smaller. However, this is the biggest orange claw udang galah that we have grow in our pond. If u look at the scale it is 200 gram.

Life and Death of Bobo & Si Cecep

Last week our mascott, Bobo and his handicapped friend, Si Cecep died in our stocking pond due to water pollution that goes straight into our stocking pond. There's an excavation activity going on which leads to a mud contaminated water coming to our water supply that kills both giant prawns. Bobo and Si Cecep is our mascott during our training. They are around 350grams and the biggest prawns we ever grow in 5 months only. Sadly they died and we have to cook it and eat, hehehe. By the way, Si Cecep is named because its blue claw does not have any claws, only the arms...



Bobo - with blue claw


Si Cecep - no blue claw

Ebook Panduan Lengkap Penternakan Udang Galah

Good News!!

Now a complete guide for future freshwater prawn farmers is available!! Yes we prefer you guys to come to our 1 day course but dont worry if u r bz or lives very far, let us come to you!! A complete 53 pages color ebook is only for RM150, which is cheaper than the course but yeah, the course is the best but better something than nothing right??

With RM150, you'll get 53 pages of a complete guide, what we do, what we gain through pain and joy for years is yours for a cheaper price. Yes there are many of ebooks for freshwater prawn and we've seen most of them and believe us this is the most complete and professional.

Some of the topics are water quality, aeration, predators and also cash flow. Freebies will be given especially to ebook customers such as cash flow softcopy (adjustable), tables for water changes, liming, fertilizer and also few pamplets on freshwater prawn farming.

If interested pls email us and bank in to 162218353965 MAYBANK (Mohd Radzi Md Yusoff)

Udang Galah Culture In Fibre Tank

With the recent urban style aquaculture for the people who lives in the city with no land to do aquaculture business, we are also being asked so many questions regarding farming the freshwater prawn inside a fibre tank, canvas or cement pond. Eventhough we do not prefer to do it like that but due to some request, we try to do it to see the result. There are many considerations and concerns such as water changes, plankton availability and growth. However, we who are also in RND stage for this subject, try our best to help the people out there who wants to do this kind of farming.

Our setup:
We use two fibre tanks, one with clay and sand at the bottom and one without. Each holds 2300pcs of PLs. The tanks equipped with pumps for aeration, coconut leaves for shelter.

Tank preparation:
We put a handful of calcium carbonate (around 2kgs) and zeolite (same amount). The water is very dark and green

Feeding:
Around 100g of starter crumbles (crushed pallets, for PLs) each tanks, each feeding times, which is morning and evening

Water Changes:
Around 20% per week with freshwater.

Observation:
Initially, some PLs being sucked into the pump so we made some modification to it, put a bottle at the pump water inlet to slow down the suction pressure.

Many leftovers of starters and bottom tanks full of sludge, may increase the amount of ammonia, water changes is important along with zeolite application but the main thing is to take out the bottom sludge. This may need a proper filtering system which at the moment we do not have as the soil pond does not require this system.

Shrimp growth is relatively slow as compared to soil ponds due to unavailable or less plankton and natural foods. We notice that there a fewer shrimps than before but no signs of mortality. Need to check thoroughly.

That is for now, pls have a look at some pictures related to this matter.