Growth cycle of leech

The growth cycle of leeches is one and a half years, the largest individual is 65 grams, with an average of about 40 grams, and the life span is more than five years. Leech has a long growth cycle and slow reproduction. Only three-year-old leeches began to lay eggs, 3-5 leeches per egg 13-25 leeches for the first time, and 5- 12 leeches per egg after four years, with 65,438 nests. The spawning period is within one month after Qingming, and August-September in autumn.

Leech, commonly known as leech, is recorded in Shennong Herbal Classic and has high medicinal value.

It grows and breeds in inland freshwater areas and is a traditional special medicinal aquatic animal in China. Its dried product can be used as traditional Chinese medicine after soaking, and has the effects of treating apoplexy, hypertension, blood stasis, amenorrhea and traumatic injury.

In recent years, leech preparation has been found to have special effects in preventing and treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and anticancer. Historically, it was mainly natural fishing. Due to the abuse of pesticides and fertilizers and the environmental pollution caused by industrial and agricultural "three wastes" in recent years, wild natural resources have been sharply reduced. With the further development of medicinal value of leech, its market demand potential is huge. 1995 or so, natural fry began to be caught in southern China, and artificial feeding was successful for the first time. Due to seed and technical reasons, there is no breeding in the northern region.