Episode 1: Simple Guide To Catfish Farming Business

Fish Farming

Fish farming or pisciculture refers to the commercial production of fishes for consumption as protein source.

Fish can be produced for so many reasons such as the raising of juvenile fishes to replenish the wild for recreational purposes (fish hatchery).

Any form of fish production that is not meant for human consumption cannot be vividly term fish farming. Currently, China is the world highest distributor of fishes produced from aquaculture.

The world’s demand for fish as a source of protein is on a geometric increase which can no longer be meant by fishing in the wild hence the need for alternate source of fish production.

Generally speaking, fish is a vital source of protein among other paramount nutrients such as; calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, iodine, vitamins and minerals thus the importance of fish farming cannot be over emphasize.

In Nigeria, fish farming is gaining adequate recognition and vastly becoming lucrative as the market keeps growing and expanding.

It is expedient to note that fish farming is a knowledge base practice that requires appropriate training and experience for maximum productivity.

Currently, the demand for fish significantly exceed its supply. To be able to be a constant supplier of fish through fish farming requires appropriate managerial and entrepreneurial skills.

Fish farming is a common term used to describe the term- aquaculture. It is the rearing of fish in either artificial environment or natural environment to meet the high demand of fish in the market.

The most important species of fishes used for fish farming in Nigeria are; Catfish and Tilapia. In other parts of the world, Carps and Salmon are commonly farmed as well.

Tilapia fish is an herbivore, carps are omnivores while catfish, salmons among others are carnivores.

It is important to note that the rearing of carnivorous fishes do not reduce the pressure on fishing in the wild as these carnivorous fishes are feed with fish meals obtained from the wild. This fish meal contains the needed fish oil which can only be gotten from other fishes to supplement the nutritive demand.

Catfish as a notable fish species commonly farmed in Nigeria

By comparison, catfish is not the most preferred fish for consumption neither is it the most popular fish in the market. However, catfish is the most reared fish (farmed fish) in Nigeria because it is easier to breed than other fish species and also because of its adaptability.

Generally, catfish farming is routinely engaged in the production of;

Fingerlings: the production of fingerlings forms the basis of all other fish farming as it is the fingerlings that generate the grown-outs and stock for production. Fish farming that produces fingerlings is commonly known as FISH NURSERY.

Fish nursery farming involves various practices that ensures the artificial inducement of the female catfish to lay its eggs. The eggs are then fertilized using mint from the male. The fertilized eggs are then incubated and hatched into larvae.

The larvae are carefully nurtured into fries and then fingerlings within the space of about one month. At the production of fingerlings, fish nursery farmers sell out the fingerlings and the process is repeated all over again.

Some fish nursery farmers may continue to nurture the fingerlings into post fingerlings and juvenile (semi adult) before selling out to grown-out fish farmers for the production of market size sales.

Most farmers also own a grown-out fish farm, they can easily transfer the juvenile fishes to the grown-out section for continuity.

Fish nursery farming is a very delicate one as any error, mis-management and laxity may lead to the death of the fries/fingerlings resulting to lose of capital as well as income/revenue.

Grown-out: the production of grow-out fishes is very popular and more common than that of nursery fish farming. It involves the rearing of juvenile fishes into marketable size and weight (1-1.5 kg) for sales.

Catfish feeds on almost any live forms other than plants that they can find in water, however, adequate feeds should be readily available for early maturity and sales.

Read Also; The heath benefits of fish and simple way to Prepare prepare fish roll

Why you should go for catfish farming business

It is easily compatible with other agricultural businesses such as poultry etc.
Poultry feeding can be used to compound feeds for catfish thereby reducing cost
Catfish can eat almost anything it can find in water
Catfish is equipped to breathe fresh air from the atmosphere.
It can survive in brackish and low oxygen water.
It can survive both fresh water and salt water
It can tolerate high density and stress
Catfish can be sold live and fresh or processed as smoked cooked, grilled and canned fish.
It can easily be sold

Episode 1: Simple Guide To Catfish Farming Business