Cost of feeding 1000 Catfish from Juvenile to Table size

Cost of feeding Catfish

Feed is the largest cost in catfish production, accounting for more than 80 percent of total variable cost per cycle, so its important feeding is done properly because it directly affects profitability in catfish farming. There are different techniques employed by catfish farmers in the quest to get good results from feeding.

If you want to start a profitable catfish farm one of the first things you want to know is the cost involved in setting up the farm which includes pond construction, buying of nets, cost of buying the Juvenile, feeding, and other expenses. Some of these expenses are done just once but feeding and getting the juveniles are done every cycle of production.

We will be doing a breakdown guide on the cost of feeding 1000 catfish from juvenile to a table size of at least one kilogram (1kg) and above this will be a good figure to work with.  So if you would intend to do higher than this is just to multiply with what you intend.

The higher the number of catfish stocked to give you the better profit. However, it is important that new catfish farmers should start with a maximum of 1,000 pieces of catfish and can later increase the number, this will enable them to learn the rudiments of catfish farming while gradually scaling up.

The figures and facts used in this article are based on the Nigerian market although readers outside Nigeria can still apply this calculation by finding out the feed brands available in the locality and their prices. Due to the fact that prices of goods and services are not stable, it is important to note that the prices might vary within a few months from when this article is published.

The estimated cost of feeding 1000 juveniles

To raise 1000 juveniles 67 bags of feed are required, a 15kg per bag feed.

Some of the feed products available in the markets include:

Imported feed: Zeigler, Cophen, Skertting, Aller Aqua

Locally produced feed: Bluecrown, Ecofloat, Vital, Topfeed and so many others

These products are good and depending on the availability in your area and preference you can make use of any.

The imported feed is mostly used as starter feed up to 3mm for some farmers, and although expensive has high protein content needed by the fish to build up. After the 3mm you can switch back to the locally produced feeds till maturity (Table size). The feed comes in different sizes and their prices differ also.

Breakdown calculation for feeds

this is the cost of feeding 1000 catfish

2bags of 2mm = 17500 x 2 = 35,000

4bags of 3mm = 16500 x 4 = 66,000

11bags of 4mm = 10800 x 11 = 118,800

20bags of 2mm = 10500 x 20 = 210,000

30bags of 9mm = 10200 x 30 = 306,000

Total for 67bag = 735, 800

Seven hundred and thirty-five thousand eight hundred naira is needed to feed 1000 juveniles to table size

Others expenses

Buying of the juveniles = 1000 x 40 = 40,000

Petrol for pumping water = 25,000

Logistics = 15,000

Total = 80,000

The general cost required for raising 1000 catfish is estimated to be 815,800 (Eight hundred and fifteen thousand eight hundred).

For catfish farmers that produce their own feed, the cost tends to be far lower than this. You can use this link to learn about catfish feed formulation.

Sales and profitability

The price for 1kg of catfish is set at 1500 as the market price although this price varies across some locations in Nigeria. If proper farm management is observed you should get at least 850kg of fish during harvest.

850kg x 1500 = 1,275,000

Estimated Profit

Sales – Expenditure = Profit

1,275,000 – 815,800 = 459,200

The estimated profit is 459,200 which is about 56% of RIO

This value would differ, because of the different management practices of various farmers.

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