To start profitable catfish farming business does not require huge capital as some would oppose. You can actually start from your backyard and still enjoy its profitability.
While some people are desperate to learn how to start with little capital, I will put you through the standard catfish farming procedure and the indoor/backyard catfish farming.
Well, people seem not to know that even on a small scale, you are saving cost of feeding for the family, and as well, sell to friends and neighbors, if interested.
Catfish farming is very a popular type of fish farming in Nigeria today, as catfish can survive in harsh environments.
We have tilapia fish farming too. But, Tilapia fish are volatile.
One slight mishandling, it’s gone (dead).
Market demand for tilapia is high and supply is low because not all fish farmers have the time to go by Tilapia’s care rules. And of course, they are more expensive than catfish.
This guide is basically on catfish farming as a business on small scale. In short, it’s about how to start a profitable catfish farming business in Nigeria.
We are not going into tilapia fish farming. Though I am writing a guide on tilapia fish farming, it will not be released as I’m still making some research and experiment on it.
This is not just an article. I wrote this guide from experience as a Certified Fisheries Technology Graduate with lots of experiences and trainings from different fish farms across the region.
Hope Ibitayo
What is Profitable Catfish Farming Business?
A profitable catfish farming business is the rearing of catfish in a controlled environment from the stage of fries or fingerlings to table-size stage, while minimizing the cost of production with relevant natural resources in order to maximize a profitable yield.
Since this guide is not on hatching or selling fries, fingerlings, or juveniles (growing fish), we are looking into table-size catfish (adult size).
Table size catfish are those fish ready to be sold. It takes 3 months to attain this stage with a weight of over 700g (grams).
Catfish buyers buy on a weight basis, which is known as kilograms (KG) and prices differ according to location.
For example, #900 to #1500 (as at the time of writing this article).
So having 1000 table-size catfish in stock of a total weight of 2000kg sold at #1100 per kg is worth #1,100,000.
And I tell you, investment is not up to #600,000 (if utilized).
Interesting right?
Now, let’s go into what’s needed to set up a catfish farming business.
Catfish Farming Plan Requirements
You can start in two ways:
- establishing your own fish farm.
- Renting fish ponds on existing fish farms.
To establish your own farm, you will need suitable land, a swampy area precisely.
You can use anywhere to site your fish farm, if you are not looking into making earthen ponds. That means you are going for tanks and concrete ponds.
But, earthen ponds are of greater advantages than their substitutes, I.e, concrete, tanks.
There are natural feed/nutrients in earthen ponds and it makes a perfect natural environment for them.
This makes the fish not feel captivated and utilizes feeds for growth.
Things to Consider Before Siting a Pond In Catfish Farming
Location:
This is the very first step to consider, as you must not secure a catfish farm site where there is water runoff.
This might expose fish in ponds to harmful organisms. Swampy areas are best for a catfish farming site but not all.
As you read other requirements, you will be able to identify a good fish farming ground.
Water Availability:
A very essential need. Make sure water can be gotten easily, that there is a source of water around. Pond water must be clean and fresh, as this also aids good growth and health of fishes.
Ensure there is a water inlet and outlet pipe on every pond. You can use water from lakes, rivers, streams, and dug well to fill up your storage tanks and into ponds.
Climate Condition And History Of The Area:
Make deep inquires about the area’s climatic condition. How heavy rainfall and storms affect the area. You should also ask if there is no taboo or religious belief against the business you are intending to start (catfish farming). Because improper inquiries might lead to loss of capital and eventually business.
Soil Type:
Not all swampy areas are good for sitting catfish ponds. The best soil type for constructing earthen ponds is clay-loamy soil. This type of soil has the ability to retain water and also moldable, which means it can not be easily washed off.
Accessibility:
The secured land must be accessible with both foot and vehicles.
So transportation of fish would be easy and without any negative effects on the fish. Because, fish doesn’t like stress. It can kill them.
List of Equipment needed to set-up a Catfish Farm
- Pumping Machine: For pumping in water into reservoirs or directly from the water source. And also, for pumping out water from ponds.
- Pond nets or Pond covers: These are nets used for covering ponds especially for preventing predators.
- Scoop Nets And Skimmer Nets: For taking out fish in tanks.
- Knife
- Source of light: Generator
- Drag Nets
- Weighing machine or Scale
- Hose
- Sorting Table: this is used for sorting fish. This can be based on sizes, specie etc.
- Pipes
- Buckets and Bowls
- Cutlasses and Shovels
Another very important requirement is that, Fish feeds must be available. There are different fish feed types; Aqualis, Durante, and so on.
Note: This guide is just to give you an insight into how catfish farming business works. You must seek a professional’s service or go for personal teachings before venturing into this business to avoid high capital risk.
You don’t need all the aforementioned information if you are going for option 2 which is, to rent a fish pond on an existing fish farm. The fish farm owner has done the job already.
Renting of ponds is basically priced based on fish pond size. A normal pond that could occupy 2500 fish (at table size) will cost you around #80,000 per year.
You can make inquiries from fish farms near you. And the most interesting thing is; you can harvest up to 3 times with the pond.
Remember I mentioned earlier that it takes 3 months for a juvenile fish to reach its table size and you are renting the pond for 12 months. You get my point now.
Best Fish Sizes To Start With In CatFish Farming Business
As we have different sizes of fish same as stages, you need to be careful while selecting the catfish stage to stock.
This will determine how well you reach your harvesting period and also save you from giving much attention to feeding and drugs.
Stages Of CatFish
- Hatchling/Fry
- Fingerlin
- Juvenile
- Adult size/stage
It is advisable for new catfish farmers to start catfish rearing at the juvenile stage.
At this stage, they would have grown and can endure much more than fry.
So, you just introduce them to the pond and start feeding.
Juvenile catfish costs around #30/one.
Make sure to get them from a reputable fish farm that does fish hatching.
Because most fish farmers don’t know how to breed well and this causes a big loss to anyone that buys fish seeds from them.
Make an inquiry on a good farm to get your fish seeds.
Feeding Of Catfish
Once you have stocked your fish ponds, do not feed immediately.
Leave them for 24 hours before feeding them.
By this time, they would have regulated their body temperature with that of the new environment (pond water).
If you feed them instantly upon stocking, you are over-stressing them as they will eat, vomit, and might even lead to loss of stock (fish).
So, when is the right time to feed?
After 24 hours of stocking, feed them.
You can pour little amount of glucose into the newly stocked fish pond to energize them an relief tem from stress within that 24 hours of waiting.
Then, make sure to feed twice daily, morning and evening.
Always feed them on a spot. I mean, select a particular section or part of the fish pond that you will be feeding them.
They will get adapted to this and there would be even feed distribution.
The Right Time To Harvest A CatFish Pond
You are looking forward to table size right?
If yes, when your fish weighs around 700grams, you are good to harvest. Or you might want to sell at a size of 1kg, then rear till then.
If smoke size fish, it might weigh 500g and ready to sell.
If you are not selling at table size, you can continue to feed them until you desire to, maybe the broodstock stage (over 9-12 months).
How And Who To Sell Catfish To
I mentioned at the beginning of this guide that prices are based on kg and location. So, you determine your price.
But, on who to sell to, you have various options to choose from. You can sell to:
- Clubs
- Restaurants
- Event Planners
- Middle Buyers (this kind of people will come to you themselves and they offer good prices too, they constitute the market)
- Fish Smokers.
Those are buyers for catfish, as there are more off this list.
But I tell you, if the aforementioned people and organizations patronize you, you won’t have stocks left as they will buy all and well.
Fish Farming in Nigeria especially catfish farming is a very lucrative business. This is the right time to invest in it as it is not saturated.
Make sure to consult an expert for physical teachings and advice before starting.
Hope this guide helped you to understand how to start profitable catfish farming business in Nigeria. Feel free to drop your questions and comments in the comment section below and also, make sure to share.
