Chinese Soft-shelled Turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis, Monoculture and Co-culture with Rice Models-ecological and Economic Result

The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is a key aquaculture species in China. This study provides a detailed description of the structural components and technical approaches of two representative cultivation models: intensive pond mono-culture (Model A) and rice-P. sinensis co-culture (Model B). Their respective ecological and economic performances were systematically evaluated. Results showed that water quality parameters and plankton diversity were significantly poorer in Model A compared with Model B. The feed conversion rate (FCR) in Model A (3.07±0.29) was significantly higher than that in Model B (2.80±0.27), whereas the survival rate showed the opposite trend (Model A: 89.42%; Model B: 95%). Both models demonstrated economic feasibility; however, Model A involved substantially greater investment and return, and time to recover initial investment was 4.7 years. In comparison, the time for Model B aligned with the typical cultivation cycle of P. sinensis. Overall, Model A is better suited for aquaculture enterprises with matured technical capacity, large-scale operations, and sufficient financial resources. At the same time, Model B is more appropriate for small- to medium-sized farms with stable sales channels. The findings on aquaculture system design, water quality management, and economic performance provide valuable insights for optimizing P. sinensis production and advancing the sustainable development of this industry.