Why Make Your Own Catfish Feed?
If you’ve been in catfish farming for a while, you already know that feed costs take up about 60–70% of your production expenses. Buying commercial feed is convenient, but it’s not always pocket-friendly — especially for small-scale farmers.
Making your own homemade fish feed gives you more control over what your fish eat, saves money, and helps you maintain a consistent growth rate — as long as you get the formula right.
Let’s break it down step by step.
Basic Catfish Feed Formula (for Grow-Out Fish)
Here’s a common feed formula that’s been tested and used by farmers for juvenile to grow-out catfish (from around 50g to market size).
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity (kg) | Purpose |
| Fish Meal | 20 kg | High protein source |
| Groundnut Cake (GNC) | 15 kg | Plant protein |
| Maize or Corn (Ground) | 25 kg | Energy / carbohydrate |
| Wheat Offal | 20 kg | Fiber and energy |
| Blood Meal | 10 kg | Extra protein and iron |
| Bone Meal | 5 kg | Calcium and phosphorus |
| Premix (Vitamin/Minerals) | 0.25 kg | Boosts immunity and metabolism |
| Salt | 0.25 kg | Electrolyte balance |
| Total | 95.5 kg |
This mix gives around 30–35% crude protein, suitable for catfish above 100g.
Optional Additions (If Available)
- Soybean meal (can replace part of GNC or fish meal)
- Lysine & Methionine (amino acids to boost protein quality)
- Garlic or ginger powder (natural growth promoters and immune boosters)
- Palm oil (for extra energy and to reduce dust in feed)
How to Mix the Feed
- Weigh out all ingredients carefully using a digital scale.
- Mix dry ingredients first (fish meal, GNC, maize, etc.).
- Add any premix, salt, and extras like amino acids.
- Add clean water slowly to make a firm but mashable dough.
- If you want floating pellets, mix with a binder (e.g., cassava starch or gelatine).
- Pelletize using a manual or motorized pellet machine.
- Dry the pellets under shade (not under direct sun) for 1–2 days until moisture is gone.
- Store in a cool, dry place in airtight bags or containers.
Feeding Tips
- Feed 2–3 times daily, depending on the age and size of the fish.
- Adjust quantity based on sampling every 2 weeks.
- Always check for leftover feed — it’s a sign your fish are either full or stressed.
Is Homemade Feed Worth It?
Yes — if you do it right. Homemade feed can reduce your cost per kg by 30–40% compared to commercial feed. But be careful: if you cut corners on quality or protein level, your fish growth will suffer.
For small and medium-scale farmers, homemade feed is best used alongside commercial feed — e.g., homemade feed in the morning and commercial in the evening.
Final Thoughts
Making your own catfish feed isn’t rocket science. With a little effort and the right ingredients, you can take charge of your fish nutrition and save a lot over time.
Start small, test the results, and improve your mix as you go. That’s how many successful farmers have done it — one batch at a time.