WHAT YOU MUST DO TO MAKE PROFITS IN CATFISH FARMING

CATFISH TANK/POND WATER MANAGEMENT OPTION

If you are operating the farm on a purely commercial basis, then you need to adopt the flow through water management option or the semi-stagnant water management option for fish rearing tanks. As for ponds it could be the water topping option, water flow through option, tidal flooding and drain or water plant option. However if it is a semi-subsistence and semi-commercial venture and you do not have enough water to play with, you can adopt the stagnant water option for both the tank and pond system. If you live in the rural area where there is abundance of streams, rivers or lakes, you could adopt the cage culture system.   

FISH TANK/POND/CAGE PREPARATION FOR STOCKING

Like earlier mentioned your pond or tank or cage must be fully ready for stocking before you bring in the fish for stocking. With the exception of block/concrete tanks, all other new tanks need just washing, filling with water and addition of salt to condition the water at least a day before stocking. For a start the water volume should not be less than half the full depth of the tank. Subsequently, it should be raised to a maximum water level of 1ft the brim of tank for all tanks; whether covered or not. As for new concrete/block tanks the procedure has already been stated. (see page…)

Liming of Ponds. For ponds, once a new pond is constructed, you should first determine the pH of the pond water. There after apply calcium carbonate (agric lime) at a rate of 70-100g/m² of pond space for a pH range of 5.5 - 4.0 and 40 -70g/m² for pH range of 6.5-5.5, in that order. This process has to be repeated once a year after harvest and pond dressing.

Fertilization of Ponds. The main purpose of pond fertilization is to condition the pond to make it conducive for fish to survive and grow. It is also meant to help stimulate the growth of planktons (microscopic plants and animals) that will serve as natural food for the fishes. When fertilizing you should combine organic manure (poultry droppings) with inorganic manures (fertilizers NPK) at a rate of 20 grams/m² of  organic manure and 2g/m² of fertilizers. Please note that you must allow the pond water to stay for up to one week after liming before you fertilize. Allow another one week after fertilization before you stock your fish.

Cages. Once constructed, the cage should be lowered into the pond, stream, river or lake. The bottom of the cage should be at least 6 inches from the bottom of the pond, river, stream or lake. The position where it is situated should be accessible by leg or boat or canoe for easy management. Finally it should be tied to stakes if is a floating cage.

WHAT AND HOW TO STOCK

You have an option of fingerlings (4 -5cm), post fingerlings, (6-7cm) and juveniles (9-11cm) to stock from. It is advisable to stock post fingerlings or Juveniles but if you have to stock fingerlings then you need to first stock them in a holding tank, pond or cage where they will grow to the size of post fingerlings in 2 weeks and juveniles in 3-4 weeks. Stocking post fingerlings or juvenile reduces the high level of cannibalism experienced within the first month of stocking of fingerlings.

You should stock based on the stocking rate earlier recommended. But first, you must determine the size of each tank, pond or cage; count the equivalent number of fish required and stock. If the place is not shaded, the best time to stock is early in the morning or evening. Meanwhile before stocking, count about 100 randomly picked fishes and determine their weight (total weight), using a scale and record this figure. Thereafter divide this figure with 100 and the   result will give a rough average size (weight) of the fishes stocked. This figure is very important because it will enable you to determine the fish growth and how well they are utilizing the food given to them. This process has to be repeated every two weeks until they are harvested. Details are ahead

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,