Fish farming has to do with rearing fish for marketing purposes. This article tells you how to start your own fish farm. Small scale fish farming is common in Nigeria. There are also large-scale fish farmers. It has to do with constructing the earthen, concrete pond or tarpaulin, pond for fertilizing, stocking fingerlings in water and proper feeding of the Tilapia, Mackerel or catfish. There are many fish species around the world and few of them are farmed commercially. This article explains how you can start fish farming in Nigeria. First get a good fish farming business plan.
Steps To Begin Fish Farming In Nigeria
Introducing Fish Farming
Fish farming is called pisciculture and this has to do with rearing, breeding and transplanting of fish by the use of artificial method. The habitat of fish is in water.
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Pisciculture offers you the opportunity to grow fish for marketing purposes. This is a major category of aquaculture ( molluscs, aquatic plants, crustaceans, fish). Fish farming has to do with cultivating fish for commercial ponds in tanks, ponds etc. There are many categories of fish which are: pangas catfish, fresh water etc. Majority of the species are not good for the Nigerian farming business either due to their nature or due to their low demand in the fish market or their profit capacity. That is the reason why the species that fish farmers grow are salmon, carp, catfish and tilapia. Tilapia and catfish are among the most common species in the Nigerian market.
Methods of growing fish
Fish can be grown in 2 ways
- intensive aquaculture which involves feeding the fish with external food supply
- Extensive aquaculture is where fish grow under natural habitat ( is stream or river).
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What Categories Of Fish Are More Profitable?
If you happen to be new in the fish business, you may need to know which specie is more profitable especially if you know the hundreds of categories of fish which are mainly made of grass carp, Nile tilapia, Carla etc. The point here is that Tilapia and Catfish is more profitable in Nigeria due to the Nigerian climate, growth and market.
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Growth
If you are considering starting a fish business in Nigeria, you are probably considering going into the production of fish for marketing purpose. Choose a specie that grows fast and meets your business plan.
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Nigerian fish market
Consider the market before starting Nigerians eat a particular kind of fish and not some. Catfish in Nigeria possess a larger market. Catfish is estimated to make up to 70% the entire fish produced. Nigerians are also fond of Tilapia which consist of up to 10% of the Nigerian market.
Procedures For Starting Fish Farming In Nigeria
If you intend to begin a small-scale fish scale fish business or a large-scale fish business you have to consider these 9 steps which are:
- Good farm location
- Good water source
- Appropriate pond for fish
- Choose appropriate specie
- Obtain healthy juveniles or finger ling
- Know how to choose fish food
- Market your fish as they grow
- Have a business mindset
- Get trained if necessary
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1. Getting a good fish location
Your location is determined by the scale of your fish business. You can start at your backyard using tank for small-scale or buy or rent fish pond for large-scale and this can be outside home.
2. Efficient water for the fish
How much does fish need water? A fish will die when you take it out of water. Bad water affects the productivity and growth of fish. Bad water are of many categories. Some categories of fish live in waters that are rough. You will need a reasonable source of water for your fish.
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The good water for humans is different from good water for fish. Government treated water is drinkable but they can become poisonous to the fish due to the chemicals that are used for treating water for consumption.
What quantity of water is needed?
The quantity of water that you need determines the farm. A nearby well can serve for small-scale. However if you intend to start the fish business as a large-scale venture, a borehole or strong well will be required.
3. Go for plastic tank or appropriate fish pond
Water can be compared with oxygen. A fish requires living in a comfortable habitat. The more comfortable and natural your pond is, the better it is for them. There are 2 categories of the fish house system and they are pond or backyard plastic tank. If you happen to be starting fish farming in Nigeria, plastic tank will be preferable. This medium will enable you to know the nature of fish business before your market reach is extended. Fish ponds are of many sizes and there is variation of cost which is dependent on your need or environment. Ask questions. Consider some environmental factors and ask questions.
4. Choose your species
There are many species of the family of fish. You choose the one you are going to do business with. There are also many fish hybrids that you consider like Heterobranchus, Clarias nigro-digitatus, Clarias X Heterobranchus. However catfish is the most common in Nigeria.
5. Obtain juveniles that are healthy
These fishes are small fishes that require being grown to a particular size. Fry refers to the name of fish after the larvae stage and this can be an option and this is found at an age that is below a week.
6. Choose the type of feeds
Plants are capable of utilising sunlight and simple nutrients to manufacture new organic materials through photosynthesis. Animals are not able to do this. This is the reason why animals need to feed on materials like plants, animals or prepared food.
7. Market your fishes before they are grown
You have to start marketing your fish merchandise before they are grown. Do not wait for them to be grown before marketing them.
8. Have a business mind
If you are not determined to succeed in your fish farming business, then forget it. You have to be determined to succeed. You have to have a business mindset.
9. Go for those who have done what you are beginning
Hear from fish farmers that are no longer starters. They will tell you certain things.
Equipments For Fish Farming
- Good water supply for your fish pond is necessary
- Fish pond may be of concrete or tank of many sizes
- Fish feeds of various kinds are necessary for various stages of growth
- Labour will be necessary for large-scale
- Weight, measures and bowels for your measurements
Conclusion
Fish farming is a profitable business in Nigeria. Fish is a source of protein and vitamins. It is a very nutritious. There is enough market for fish in Nigeria. If you have any questions on how to start fish farming, whether small-scale or large-scale, feel free to make use of our comment box.
