INTRODUCTION
The goal of every catfish farmer is to make a profit. The difference between a profitable catfish business and a non-profitable catfish business is ‘knowledge’. What the former knows that the latter doesn’t know. Therefore, you should always consume more articles such as this, to always know what an amateur in the catfish business doesn’t know. These are some basic principles in catfish farming that can give you an inevitable success if practiced.
WHAT IS GROWTH MANAGEMENT
These are the strategies and modules operandi employed to promote increase/growth and reduce loss and cannibalism in catfish farming. Growth management is very crucial as it sky-rocks production and ensures healthy catfish production
HOW CAN WE ESTABLISH EFFECTIVE GROWTH MANAGEMENT IN CATFISH FARM
The Growth of your fish will depend solely on how you judiciously carry out these factors. The profitability of catfish farming is influenced by many factors, but these 4 steps are expedient for your catfish growth and will give a maximum growth output
WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT:
For catfish to flourish, excellent water quality must be maintained. Clean and well-oxygenated water is crucial for catfish growth. To produce the optimum habitat, regular monitoring of water factors such as these is required:
Oxygen level: Adequate oxygen is crucial for catfish survival and growth. Oxygen levels should be maintained within the appropriate range, typically 5-6 mg/l, through aeration and other methods.
Ph Levels; Catfish like slightly acidic to neutral pH levels, which are typically found between 6.5 and 7.5 for their well-being. Ph Levels must be monitored and modified as necessary.
Water Exchange: Regular water exchange can help remove excess waste and maintain water quality. The frequency and volume of water exchange depend on the system and stocking density.
2. STOCKING DENSITY:
Too many fish can slow the growth of catfish because Catfish tend to grow faster when there is enough space. In order to avoid rivalry for food and space, farmers should make sure that the stocking density is appropriate. The effects of overcrowding include stress, food competition, and even an increased risk of illness. Determining the dimensions of the pond or tank can be used to determine the appropriateness of stocking density. The best practice to ensure proper stocking density is, stocking your fingerlings or juveniles in a separate pond and later counting and restocking in other ponds. This will make you to be sure of the actual number of fish stocked.
This is just a summary of stocking density. I have a full dedicated video on stocking density where I explained it better. You can check it out at the link below. https://youtu.be/00jL7Ol0ceY?si=o7VgyCslLF94WHuZ
3. PROPER FEEDING:
Proper feeding is essential for catfish growth. Feed is the largest cost in catfish production, however, the profitability of catfish farming directly depends on how fish are fed. There is no particular formula for feeding catfish, it differs among catfish farmers depending on fish size, experience of feeding staff, and cropping system. Generally, fish should be fed once a day with as much feed as they can consume. In fingerlings, feeding twice daily can be practiced.
Catfish farmers are able to feed a diet that is nutrient-complete and offers the necessary amounts of nutrients and energy in a form that is easily digested. These nutrients must be complete in protein, feeds that contain grains that are rich in starch, Fat, and some vitamin premix which is supplemented for catfish feed to meet dietary requirements and to compensate for losses due to feed manufacture and storage.
There are different types of catfish feed including pellet feed, floating feed, and sinking feed. Overfeeding should be avoided since wasted feed affects water quality and reduces production costs.
4. DISEASE MANAGEMENT:
Catfish are susceptible to several diseases and this can reduce fish growth and production, cause death of fish, and increase vulnerability to predation. You can detect illness in fish when they stop feeding when they are seen hanging at the surface, or rubbing against objects.
Prevention is always more effective and cost-efficient than treatment.
CONCLUSION
By carefully managing these factors, you encourage wholesome and effective growth in your catfish farm. These methods may change depending on the type of catfish you are raising and the surroundings of your farm.
Learn more about the catfish farm operation by downloading the Ebook on the guide to starting a successful catfish farm using this link
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How to calculate your expenses in catfish farming #Excel #catfishfarm #
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