There are a lot of people asking this same question “is catfish farming profitable?” and I guess you are one of them which is why you are here, well the answer is Yes and No. Hear me out, I know the No part was a bit harsh and it might have discouraged you, but honestly speaking the success of your catfish business depends solely on You, by the time you are done reading this post you will understand how to make your catfish farming profitable, but before we dive right into it, I want us to do a little exercise. I want you to go through the list below and study it carefully.
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If you can:
- Brush your teeth properly.
- Bathe yourself or a child properly.
- Drive a car or negotiate a transport fare to your destination.
- Start and finish a project as expected; like attending a school, or executing a contract.
- Administer first aid to yourself or a friend appropriately.
- Meet a deadline, probably school assignment or office work.
- Shop for, or sell any product.
- Raise or be part of a family.
If you can do these things, then you can run a profitable catfish farming business too if you
choose to. The list above serves as a reminder for some of the things we do daily without paying much attention.
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Every task on that list was also so difficult at first but with regular practice we could carry out these tasks, until we could do it seamlessly. This same trend is identical for any learning process including catfish farming. Practicing any act properly requires an organized method rather than a random approach. The best way to achieve best results depends on you as the farmer like I mentioned earlier and the routines you adopt. Efficiency in daily activities and the effectiveness of the activities, depend on how these routines are organized.
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Here are some answers to some of the most frequently asked questions concerning catfish farming:
How do I plan my budget towards starting my catfish farming business?
Each sector of catfish farming business (hatchlings, fingerlings, table-size catfish or processed catfish) has different set of requirements. A catfish farm that focuses on raising and selling table-size live catfish might start without a hatchery and an oven for drying the catfish. The budgets for the
three sectors are different and there are different levels in each sector. After proper research most importantly market research on the requirements, you can make a better analysis, and create a matching budget for the materials chosen.
How do I go about choosing the right location for my pond?
If temperature is not an issue (assuming you are not working in a controlled environment which can be insulated), the two key factors in selecting a site are water availability and a suitable waste management system. I have visited ponds located in a general housing estate, also a hatchery that is located in a residential area and the operation runs smoothly without bothering anyone. I started learning catfish farming in a farm where water is drawn from a nearby stream and the waste water is channeled to the same
stream.
What type of system should I adopt and how much space do I need?
The system that you adopt will determine the growth rate of the catfish.
- If farmer A has one hectare (10,000 square meters) of land and digs three massive ponds that require 50,000 litres (150k litres) of water to fill each of them (consider requirements for refilling and draining), he/she can stock up to 15,000 juveniles to reach table-size in 6 months. This should provide roughly 80,000 table-size catfish in 12 months after two culture periods (considering adverse factors).
- However, if farmer A converts 3000 square meters of the same land and invests in a re-circulatory aquaculture system, with 10 connected bowls that require 6000 litres of water each (60k Litres total), he/she can stock 3,500 juveniles in each bowl (35,000 total) that can reach table size in 4 months. That is roughly 100,000 table-size catfish in 12 months. This is more than the combined output of the remaining 7000 square meters of his/her land which can only yield 50,000 table-size catfish per annum, without the RAS. If properly managed, an automated system is more productive than a manual system.
How do I preserve?
Refrigerating catfish is a common and convenient way to preserve catfish and they are equally sold in their frozen state. However, the common method of preserving catfish is by drying the fish after hygienic
processing. It is wise for a catfish farmer to invest in an oven. If you exhaust your feed and you don’t want to exceed your budget, an oven will save you while increasing the value of your catfish. Well dried fish can last a few months when preserved in a cool and dry place. Canning the catfish after processing
will enable the catfish to last longer as well.
If you cannot afford either preservation techniques, then the best advice is to sell the catfish before the production cost hits its limit. I still advise that you call as many customers as possible before the appointed date of harvest so that they have a chance to accommodate your supply when you are ready to sell.
How do I get the ideal containers?
Catfish are nocturnal fishes, and move away from brighter to darker regions.
If there is no dark region, they create this by swimming together and forming their school (they do the same when they sense imminent danger). Their goal will be to get to the core of this school as this will be darkest and safest place for them. Their movement usually provides pleasure for an observer,
but this is stressful to them since in reality, they are trying to avoid the light and swimming for their dear lives.
An easy way to prevent this form of stress is to buy opaque containers which when covered, allows the fish to swim freely, moving to various points of the container instead of hiding and remaining in a corner. Black materials are advised since they provide the highest opacity in comparison to other colours.
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How do I treat my catfish?
Keen observation is required and once any adverse symptom is noticed, one should apply the suggested remedy especially refreshing the water as quick as possible instead of waiting till the disease has spread before administering plenty medicine in hopes of making the problem disappear instantly. Mild medication is what I advise and only when necessary. I have come to find out that if their containers are kept clean and the water is constantly refreshed, there might be no need for medication.
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What if I fail?
Fear of the unknown is inborn in all of us and appears each time we wish to embark on a new project. This cannot be prevented but it can be controlled. Many people claim that the catfish business is an uphill task with so many risks involved, to which I ask them 3 questions:
- Which business is a bed of roses?
- Have you practiced catfish farming before? I
- Is it possible for you to succeed after discovering the requirements, and abiding by them?
Catfish farming continues to make different people wealthy simply because they have done what it demands (dedication, commitment and taking to correction). If you carefully analyze the complaints from people who have not done so well in catfish
farming, it will not be difficult to realize that the problem was never with the catfish but from their lack of understanding of its requirements or their failure to comply. It is always easier to climb a hill slowly.
Catfish farming is for anybody who is determined to succeed in catfish farming. Treating it as a ‘side thing’ will only lead to its reciprocity. Finally, for prospective farmers who wish to start a sustainable catfish enterprise and have been told that they might not succeed, I wish to encourage you that if you believe you are ready and willing to exert sufficient effort for the success of your catfish business or any other venture, you are ready and will most likely succeed.
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