What to feed.
For the first two months of stocking, it is advisable to feed them with
extruded (floating) feed. Both locally made and imported ones are available
nationwide. If it is fingerlings start with a feed size of 1.2-1.5mm, post
fingerlings and juvenile, should be fed with 2mm size. Thereafter the feed size should be increased to 3mm and 4mm as the fishes grow within the first 2 months.
If they are well spaced and fed, they should be able to eat a feed size of 4mm
by the beginning of the 3rd month of stocking.
When to feed. If the fishes
were stocked in the morning start feeding them from evening. If stocked in the
evening start feeding them the next morning. It is advisable to feed them 3
times daily, between the hours of 6 am and 8pm for tanks; 9am and 7pm for ponds
and cages.
How to feed. As a general
rule, it is advisable not to attempt to measure the quantity of feed given to
them. This may either result in under feeding or over feeding. The better
option is to give them as much feed as they can eat at a time. Their response
to the food given to them will tell you whether they need more or are
satisfied.
Feeding Strategy.
A good strategy is to feed heavy in the morning, light in the afternoon and
slightly heavy in the evening. When feeding, you should adopt a one spot feeing
strategy, with time, when they are hungry; you will see them hover around that
spot. However, while still feeding, you should throw a few feed at intervals
far from the spot to take care of those fishes that are smaller or weaker and
thus may not come to the feeding spot.
Feed manipulation.
In order to reduce feed cost while also achieving optimum growth, you should
adopt a combination of locally pelleted feed and floating feed, with effect
from the third month of stocking. The ratio should be 70/30 for the third
month; 80/20 for the fourth month, 85/15 for the fifth month and 90/10 for the sixth
month. The left part of the ratio is local or foreign pelleted feed while the
right hand is foreign or locally produced floating feed. To determine the
ratio, measure the quantity of feed to give them until they are satisfied. If
they consume all, use that as a basis for calculation. If they eat less measure
the balance and subtract. If they eat more Measure the excess and add to the
original weight. Use this measurement daily for the next two weeks with a
little addition or subtraction as they react to feeding. If for example they
consume 10kg a day, at three months old, the pellet/floating feed ratio will
now be 8kg/2kg.
How to handle the
feeding. When feeding start with the pellets. Once they exhaust it,
give them the floating feed last. While feeding always observe their behavior.
If you notice anything strange, note it and seek explanation or solution to
such behavior. Please note that from the first day of stocking the quantity of
feed given to them on a daily basis should be recorded and they must be fed to
satisfaction.
WHEN AND HOW TO CHANGE
WATER
Water change is most commonly
done in fish rearing tanks. It is a rare phenomenon in a fish pond and cage. In
the case of pond this is only necessary when there is water pollution or
disease outbreak. In the case of a fish pond you need to drain about 90% of the
pond water and pump in fresh water from a well, bore hole or a safe pond. In
the case of a cage, all you need to is to use soft brush to scrub the sides of
the cage and possibly shift the position regularly.
Fish tank water change. For
the 1st and 2nd month of stocking you need to change 50% and 80% respectively of
the tank water twice weekly. In addition, you could also do a daily three
hourly water flow through. In the 3rd and 4th month, it should be 80% thrice
weekly. In addition to this, do a daily three hourly flow through, while in the
5th and 6th month, it should be 100% every two days and a daily three hourly flow
through.
Please be reminded that the information as contained herewith is based on the climatic and environmental conditions in Nigeria, which is a tropical country. Meanwhile, I will be quick to add that this article is an excerpt from the operational manual for commercial catfish farming titled AN ILLUSTRATED STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO COMMERCIAL CATFISH GROW OUT FARMING, also written by the author since 2003 now updated up to 2015. It will be useful to you; a beginner or an experienced farmer as a working and reference document. The soft copy (to be sent via email) cost 4,000 naira, while the hard copy (to be sent via courier) goes for 6,500 naira. If you are interested please call: 08023620926; 09030301242 or send email to: festus.okpako88@gmail.com; festus,okpako@yahoo,com or foodscienceng@gmail.com
PAYMENT DETAILS: Festus Okpako, first bank current account number 2006146470
Other available manuals:
# AN ILLUSTRATED STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO COMMERCIAL CATFISH HATCHERY FARMING. PRICE: 6,000 naira (soft copy); 8,000 naira (hard copy)
# A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO COMMERCIAL CATFISH DISEASE MANAGEMENT
PRICE:4,000 naira (soft copy); 6,000 naira (hard copy).
Please be reminded that all SOFT COPIES will be sent via email and HARD COPIES, via courier,
