@ op, what i want to tell you is that "the deep calleth to deep" before you look at the immediate profit look for depth in this business, you will be amazed you dont know anything.do you know you can hire ponds if you dont have enough to build your own in the initial stage?
when you are passoinate about it you keep seeking for more knownedge.BTW, fish farming is for hardworker and it is NOT EVERYBODY BUSINESS.

has anyone used the GNLD fertilizer for fish farming?
Pls share your experience and observation (whether good or bad) with us

jam04: I am currently putting up some write-ups regarding the wrong info i have read regarding cat fish breeding in Nigeria and i can boldly say 95% of the info shared are false and misleading. but not to derail your thread i will answer your question as truthfully:

1 Cost of pond depends on area, land and type of pond you intend to have. By type of pond, i mean earthen, concrete or tarpaulin ponds

2 Cat fish have sizes: we have fingerlings, juveniles and post juveniles. I always advise potential farmers to go for juveniles since most of them don’t have facilities to handle fingerlings. Healthy juveniles cost between 25-30 naira

3 This is where gullible investors fall prey. Before you go into cat fish farming, make sure you know your market or better still make sure you know your buyers and what type of size they buy. For instance it will be difficult for you to get a buyer for a 500g fish if your market environments demands for a 1kg fish and vice versa. however, on average, you should be able to get a size above 1kg within 5 months PROVIDED you fed them well and they are raised with the best and healthy practices

4 I could see you really know what you want and this your question will make those that deceive others shiver in here..lol. i have heard where they will tell you, 'each fish will consume 200naira worth of feed for 6 months and you will attain above 1kg'. Oh my God!!! How is this feasible? Definitely it is not and yes i said it is NOT feasible because different factors and condition determine the response of fish to feed at any particular time. Factors like water quality (turbidity,ph,temperature..e.t.c), stress and health. What i generally advise is to set aside considerable amount for feed. for 1000 pcs of fishes and your target is 1kg and above fed for 6 months, i will advice you keep 250,000 for feeding.

5 This is another good question. Cat fish price varies from place to place, in some places 1kg sized fish goes between 500-520 while in some places we have 460-480. but also have this in mind that not all the 1000 pcs will survive and also not all with attain 1kg averagely. However, if they are well fed and raised under the appropriate conditions, you should have above 850kg at the end of the day. So if you do your maths with the price range i give above, you will still make profit. Profit margin however depends on the pond type you choose. Concrete and tarpaulin ponds consume more money than earthen ponds because of the need to change water.

I have always advised potential investors to seek for a one-on-one training with professionals before they venture into raising cat fish. Do not rely on what people say that you only need to read their manual and you are all set to go, it is disastrous as it is a cheap and easy ploy to deceive you into buying their training manual. I am not dis-crediting their manual but what i go against is the assumption that the manual is the only thing you need to read before you start your own farm. Also, make sure you have an onsite assessment of a fish farm by yourself and don’t assume things in your head.

As you can see form the attached pic,these fishes are 5months and 2 weeks old and their average weight is 1.3kg-1.6kg

As soon as i am through with the write-up, i will put it up and people can learn one or few things from there and i hope i have answered your questions. Thanks

PS:due to popular demand, this has been done:https://www.nairaland.com/1843788/cat-fish-enthusiastic-farmers-lovers#25242898

olayiwola Farms Nigeria ltd (A div of Penthouse Nigeria Ltd)
olulay@yahoo.com,08090938426

Please jam04, I have sent you an email and I would appreciate your response. Thanks

inteli:

Please jam04, I have sent you an email and I would appreciate your response. Thanks

Replied

For more info on fish farming, visit robonski's thread on d hidden truths about catfish business, you will have a lot of people to assist & possibly get someone to give u practicals

jam04:

Replied

Many tankz, I v seen it.

blink182: His ignorance is so annoying.

Op, if you do not want to run a fishery, then do not. All these atakara projections are really annoying. The business is not profitable but people are stressing their selves out daily to run their farm. There are things that need just plain common sense to solve.

some ppl are not ready to work so don't mind them, it's only politician that gets millions without investing a dime. My brother started with one pound but has 30 natural fish pond today and he lives like a king in my village this farm has been on for 11years now. He just introduced pottery a year plus now and he gets about 100 creates of eggs a day and produce his feeds all his undergraduate children can hash fish.

ochiosa: some ppl are not ready to work so don't mind them, it's only politician that gets millions without investing a dime. My brother started with one pound but has 30 natural fish pond today and he lives like a king in my village this farm has been on for 11years now. He just introduced pottery a year plus now and he gets about 100 creates of eggs a day and produce his feeds all his undergraduate children can hash fish.

Now that is business sense. My biggest longing presently is to create a business my children can grow into and never have to worry about jobs.

Catfish business is in no doubt a lucrative business with its incredible returns. It is a business which also have a huge and diverse job opportunities. You can begin with small capital and earn huge revenue on a continuous basis with catfish farming. There are different opportunities which exist as a commercial venture within catfish farming industry and each can b done separately and independently, or with two or more components integrated. A list of f over 26 of these ventures is highlighted below. They are as follows:
1. Fingerlings production
2. Juvenile production
3. Grow-out techniques
4. Importation of frozen catfish
5. Exportation of smoked catfish
6. Smoking of catfish
7. Frozen catfish for exports
8. Processing catfish into fillets, boneless brand-able products.
9. Selling catfish to bank, restaurant, hoteliers, etc
10. Marketing of catfish
11. Construction of catfish farms
12. Construction of hatchery
13. Re-circulatory hatchery system setup
14. Feeds and feed formulation enterprises
15. Management of fish farm
16. Consultancy
17. Training and seminars
18. Catfish information products marketing
19. Fish health diagnostic laboratory services
20. Ornamental fisheries
21. Fish drug store
22. Ornamental fish production
23. Shrimp farming
24. Commercial brood stock production
25. Establishment of fish feed mills
26. Transportation services
Are you located around Abuja, Kogi and its environ? And concern on how to get breeding stock be it fingerlings, juveniles, post–juvenile, table size or brood stock. We at May–Oasis Farm Limited could supply you with high quality breed and fast growing catfish, be it fingerlings, post fingerlings, juveniles, post juveniles, table size catfish, etc., in whatever way you want it. Supplies can also be made to anywhere in the country, even to the far north!
We respect our customers and their satisfaction is of great concern to us. We are reliable and trustworthy, while all customers are treated with attention and great value. We render service ranging from farm setup, to high quality stocking supplies(fingerlings/juveniles), supply of table size catfish and brood stock, farm maintenance, consultancy service, etc. You can always count on us.
For further details in how to contact us:
May-Oasis Farm Limited
Lokoja, Kogi State.
Tel: 08145471496
Bbm: 7F4042FA
Email: mayoasisfarm@gmail.com
You are always welcome, contact us today and you'll be glad you did!

Fish Farming is not a business for greedy, inpatient and uncommitted individuals. Though lucrative but needs practical experience.
@ o.p i will not repeat what others pointed out but, will touch areas they did not quite iron out. I am giving my analysis based on 1000 fingerings.
1. 1000 fingerings will cost #280-#300 to raise to table size of six months according to proving set standard, but it can be less or higher depending on farmer's experience and expertise. The estimated bags is between 25-35 bags. Death rate is put at 20% and estimated kg is 1-1.5kg.
Note: the above statistics depends on three key things which is where most farmers get it wrong. They are: Water management,stocking density and feeding.time will fail me to explain these things in detail but one thing is sure if u have mortality above 20%,spend above #350000,over stock u are heading for desaster. U only remedy is if u produce Fish of 2-3 kg that sell at #650-#700 a kg if not u name is sorry.
2. Pricing 8-10 Fish 20kg is #13000#14000
10-13 Fish 20kg #12000-#12500
14-17Fish 20kg #11500-#12000
18-21fish 20kg #11000
22-26 Fish 20kg #10500
27-31 fiish 20kg #10000
32-40 fish 20kg #9500
41-50 Fish 20 kg. #9000
50 and above #8500
Under good production a farmer will have at least eight hundred Fish at the end of six months @ average of 1.2kg. Least kg is 800g maximum 3kg.here the fish will fall in the range of #11000 which is #550/kg at this range 800kg is #440000 assuming investment is #330000. but under bad production he/she might find it difficult raising money for the feed.
Please I put this based on tested fact but do know in ur first year u might not make gain or might even loose money it depends on ur management and initial technical errors fish Farming is garbage in garbage out, most times what work for one might not work for another because of weather and environmental conditions.
3 fingerings price: 4 weeks #10,5 weeks #12,6 weeks #15,7 weeks#20,8 weeks #25,10 weeks #30.
4.construction of pond: pond is fixed asset if u add it to production cost forget about profit first, same goes with Borehole. I cannot give detail of how many block that can construct the desired pond but will give u idea of the size for good stocking. Grow out pond that will contain 1000 Fish should be 30feet by20feet by 4feet it can carry depending on individual. Water is essential is u do not have Borehole start small so u can manage the Water, Fish Farming is all about Water, 60% cost of production goes to feed the rest is Water management. Good yield is all about good feeding and good Water management. Fish Farming is quite lucrative but not for ignorant and greedy investors.
The beauty of it is u can combine it with other things, but for u to make it u most know the pros and cons not just what u read Online or from manuals and ebooks, but from the experience u gathered from field.
Some people hear and read that Fish Farming is lucrative the don't just test the Water but jump into it with all they got and end up loosing money.
For more insights and booking for ur fingerings pin at 762114AB or whatapp 08038651783. We also handle training on fingerings production

This has been an interesting thread all along. My understanding of business ventures is that their are pitfalls lining the way to success in any business and these pitfalls can be avoided if one has a good mentor that will inform you of his own experiences and how he handled such challenges.

In the absence of a good mentor, one is bound to learn the hard way and profitability will continue to dwindle till you begin to learn and perfect your skills in the trade. I think this forum is full of experienced farmers that have learnt bitter lessons in the past and should be telling such stories so that others can learn and avoid such mistakes.

Like me, when we first started breeding, we used only one vat and after the eggs hatched, we removed the spawning net and allowed the dead eggs and the larvae to remain in the same vat. This led to rapid pollution of the water and the larvae all died the following day after hatching. On a second attempt. we had two Vats for the breeding. we spawned in one vat and removed the spawning net in the second vat thus leaving few dead eggs in the first vat. Once again, we made the mistake of over stressing the larvae by constantly syphoning the dead eggs from the larvae and this led to major catastrophy as the larvae died after 2days out of too much stress as we syphoned like 4times in a day. At the third attempt, we avoided the two previous errors and we have been smiling to the bank.

So when a farmer experiences these kind of disappointments, he may come to the conclusion that catfish farming is not as profitable as being portrayed

Gspace hatchery are poised to supply
Fries,Fingerlings,Juveniles and Post juveniles at
an affordable rate within and outside lagos.in
order to ease your burden,for clients within
lagos,we will deliver to your door step at no cost
while there will be a discounted fee for delivery
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email ........gesemudje@gmail.com

jam04:
I am so sorry i am replying to your question late.. i had busy schedule at work today and i've just come out of the shower and feel refreshed as i read your comment to my reply.

Firstly, you need to know that pond acquisition and construction expenses are fixed costs and you do not expect to make reasonable profit margin during your first crop season especially with 1000 pcs of fishes or do you intend to abandon the pond and start with a new pond at the next stocking season? your fixed costs include cost of pond construction,pumping machine,basin,drag nets e.t.c

Secondly, i said no one can accurately predict the amount of money that will be spent on fish feed, but we can only make predictions which we are sure will accommodate their feeding expenses.the 250k is more than adequate for feeding and we are very sure you will still have some change up to the tune of 10-20k at the end. this my estimate is optimum feeding of 1000 pcs of cat fish for 6 months.

Prices of pond construction depends on the type and labour cost which is variable depending on location. only tarpaulin ponds have market prices not concrete or earthen(natural) ponds. At our end here they construct a 60 square metre ponds of about 5ft depth between 70-80k with tall dikes.

Please i will like to point out that i DIDNT say cat fish farming is the best way out for people who need quick/fast money or that it is an easy form of farming where you can make money over night, i kicked against it and that was why i decided to comment when i saw your thread. However, cat fish farming is a great money spinner but for money to spin in, you have to get it right(know about it and have on-site assessment of how things are run and not by reading some lazy manuals or listening to sweet tales from dubious folks with sugar coated mouth) and invest wisely. for records, cat fish farming on a scale of 1000 above pcs of fish is not a poor man's business and i wouldn't advice someone who doesn't have enough capital to go into it as fishes must east everyday just like poultry birds. with hard work and focus, even if the profit margin in your first cropping season is so small, you shall get higher returns during your second cropping season since there is no need for any major fixed costs expenses again.

olayiwola Farms Nigeria ltd (A div of Penthouse Nigeria Ltd)
olulay@yahoo.com,08090938426

my brother u hv spoken well di other dt commented earlier almost discouraged me b4 u came to my rescue @ fixed expenses last jst for di first season. Nd who dives into a busineaa expecting to make a fortune immediately. Fnx u my brother, ur not supose to expect profit 1st season

sept4:
my brother u hv spoken well di other dt commented earlier almost discouraged me b4 u came to my rescue @ fixed expenses last jst for di first season. Nd who dives into a busineaa expecting to make a fortune immediately. Fnx u my brother, ur not supose to expect profit 1st season

Exactly

mekaboy:
[b]YES THE POND IS FIXED ASSET, THAT 100K WHICH I USED FOR THE POND CAN ASWELL BE SHIFTED TO THE MAINTENANCE OF THE POND. ARE SAYING YOU WONT SPEND UP TO 100K IN 6 MONTHS IN MAINTENANCE OF THE POND? WATER , FILTERS, HEATER, ETC .

BESIDES FROM MY ESTIMATE I ASSUMED THAT YOU BOUGHT 1000 PIECES AND WAS ABLE TO GROW THE 1000 PIECES IN 6 MONTHS, WHICH IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE, SO WE NOW ASSUME YOU BOUGHT 1000 PIECES AND 100PIECES DIED BEFORE THE 6 MONTHS . NOW YOU WONT EVEN MAKE AS MUCH AS I ESTIMATED FROM THE SALES.

ALSO, WHILE YOU ARE WAITING FOR CUSTOMERS TO BUY UP THE 900PIECES THAT CAME THROUGH, IT COULD TAKE EXTRA 1 MONTH, AND YOU WILL STILL BE FEEDING THEM WHILE YOU WAIT .

ITS EVEN LESS PROFITABLE THAN I ESTIMATED, ITS A TYPE OF BUSINESS THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO INVEST HEAVILY INTO TO MAKE MONEY OUT OF IT, OR YOU DO IT IN YOU BACHYARD FOR YOUR OWN USE.

SO NEXT TIME A YOUNG HUSTLING NIGERIAN SAYS HE HAS 500K AND LOOKING FOR WHAT TO INVEST IN , PLEASE LET THEM KNOW HOW MUCH THEY WILL MAKE IN THE FIRST 6MONTHS OF THEIR BUSINESS ASSUMING THEY INVESTED THAT 500K IN FISH FARMING. TELL THEM THAT THEY MIGHT NOT MAKE UP TO 20K IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS.
[/b]

............thanks bro.....its very easy to make million in 5mnth dats y u can see alots igbo guys crooose big cars around jst in a yr.......i am a farmer .......cat fish farmer precisely........if u want make million in any business i bet u its not in cat fish wt 1000fish.........go n learn .....go to farms pay to learn......from hatchery to table........ remember its nt always full tym businessss..........or go n sell laptops as somebody said.......in ur room?....5 laptops am sure nt in a shop n no Tfare......n ppl by lappy evry day .........lolzzzzz

isnt this lucrative enough? be wise and do the right thing



olayiwola farms

olulay@yahoo.com
08090938426
07069457328

Fish farming business plan in Nigeria. http://www.businessplannigeria.com.ng/fish-farming-business-plan-nigeria/

mekaboy:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE BUT SOME DETAILS ARE STILL MISSING I WANTED US TO US THE 1000 PIECES AS AN ESTIMATE TO DO THE CALCULATION, WHICH YOU SKIPPED .

FROM WHAT YOU SAID, YOU DID NOT STATE THE PRICE OF ANY POND TYPE.

ASSUMING ONE FISH COST N30 THE 1000 = N30,000

THE FEEDING AS U SAID IS = N250,000

THAT IS 280K ALREADY

ASSUMING ALL THE FISHES ARE SOLD AT 400 *1000 = 400,000

400K - 280K = 120K

I WILL NOT CONSIDER 120K AS PROFIT YET BECAUSE WE DONT HAVE DETAILS OF THE COST OF THE POND WHICH WILL STILL BE SUBTRACTED FROM IT, AND THE COST OF MAINTENANCE FOR THAT 5 MONTHS.


FROM WHAT I SEE, ASSUMING U SPENT 100K ON POND- 250K ON FEEDING- 30 FOR THE FISHES - OTHER EXPENSES 50K =430K

IF THE FISHES ARE SOLD FOR 450 EACH *1000 = 450K

SO U INVESTED 430K PLUS STRESS -- GOT 450K FROM SALES AFTER 6MONTHS --PROFIT IS 20K IN 6MONTHS .

so let's say for example you set up a soap making factory, do you intend to get the building/rent and machinery money from your first batch of production? It's amazing how people want to get pond money from their first batch of stocking..........fish farming isn't nairabet or baba ijebu but it's indeed profitable and not for people who lacks the passion for it or wants quick /fast money

And now You can use mobile ponds and reduce pond costs even further !

https://www.nairaland.com/2249974/mobile-fish-ponds-tank-remedy

mekaboy:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE BUT SOME DETAILS ARE STILL MISSING I WANTED US TO US THE 1000 PIECES AS AN ESTIMATE TO DO THE CALCULATION, WHICH YOU SKIPPED .

FROM WHAT YOU SAID, YOU DID NOT STATE THE PRICE OF ANY POND TYPE.

ASSUMING ONE FISH COST N30 THE 1000 = N30,000

THE FEEDING AS U SAID IS = N250,000

THAT IS 280K ALREADY

ASSUMING ALL THE FISHES ARE SOLD AT 400 *1000 = 400,000

400K - 280K = 120K

I WILL NOT CONSIDER 120K AS PROFIT YET BECAUSE WE DONT HAVE DETAILS OF THE COST OF THE POND WHICH WILL STILL BE SUBTRACTED FROM IT, AND THE COST OF MAINTENANCE FOR THAT 5 MONTHS.


FROM WHAT I SEE, ASSUMING U SPENT 100K ON POND- 250K ON FEEDING- 30 FOR THE FISHES - OTHER EXPENSES 50K =430K

IF THE FISHES ARE SOLD FOR 450 EACH *1000 = 450K

SO U INVESTED 430K PLUS STRESS -- GOT 450K FROM SALES AFTER 6MONTHS --PROFIT IS 20K IN 6MONTHS .

bros,you got It totally wrong,you shouldn't add the price of the pond cos once you have the pond,its all yours for years

m

@OP

Are you sure you ever studied economics?
Do you even know the meaning of fixed asset?
Your fish pond is a permanent asset that would serves you for years to comes. Its not like you want to hawk gala or purewater.

My brother don't mind al ds analysis ds pple re givin oo, even wt a free pond u might run @loss, xperience dy say is d best teacher, visit farms to learn, start smal, or get a mentor to work wt U on ur farm shd u want to start big, 250k I can tel u isn't enough to feed 1000 juvniles to avrage of 1.2kg. Shd u start big be ready 2 pelletise ur own feed wt dat u wil lov goin 2 d bank as dat wil always b a smilling time, am a medium or comparatively big catfish farmer

iamrealdeji:
bros,you got It totally wrong,you shouldn't add the price of the pond cos once you have the pond,its all yours for years

No he is not wrong because in many places like the several govment fish farm estate, u rent the ponds n pay anually

jam04:


Wow..very sensible post

@jam04 now i am confused about your post and also about cat fish farming. i was surprised to see your post saying very sensible post to someone feeding fish maggots from poultry and piggery waste here, but its other way round on your own thread. I am not trying to be negative here,i have done fish farming before and i am sure i am still a learner, i did somethings wrong then, i acquired some marshy land lately which i am planning to use for fish farm, and that is why i am on Nairaland looking for a way to do it right this time. @jam04 why is feeding maggots to catfish is not allowed on your own thread and its other way round here?
There are lot of people here in Niaraland ready to invest their money and not to waste it, so please you guys shouldn't discourage us. Let us learn from you, and even if we have to pay for it, but make sure its something we'll benefit from. Thanks..

Itydee:
What is wrong with Nigerians?
Why must anyone call you? Why don't you share your experiences and ideas here so others might learn or start a thread?
Selfish man SMB(shaking my butt)

I want u or anyone wt ds kind of opinion to know that it takes a lot of sacrifice to really write so much on a thread (especially for busy people) all in the name of trying to assist or convince people. It's not ok to think all are d same just because some have used this method to deceive once. At least I've called a number quoted on this thread and the person has willingly given me some useful info even wt d promise to always oblige me anytime I need such advice. Pls don't generalise bad experiences. Let's appreciate these people's effort at sharing their knowledge. After all they are not paid lecturers

On a contrary to some post here. Catfish Business is indeed a profitable business considering the following
1. Good and unlimited source of Water quality.
2. Your Young stocks.
3. Your pounds
4. Farm practice.

It's certain on no matter how much you invest with good farm practice you will earn 100% profit. Your initial capital cannot be considered as your initial investment because 60% goes into fixed capital. Your inital investment is your stock and feed cost. If you intend to stock 1000 fingerings you add 200pcs for mortality. Prompt change of water, feeding and souting can reduce mortality to the bearest minimum. If you think is not profitable so be it. We stock 20,000pcs + 2000 mortality and we harvest every 3 months. The business is good and worth investing.

LUKINGUY:
On a contrary to some post here. Catfish Business is indeed a profitable business considering the following
1. Good and unlimited source of Water quality.
2. Your Young stocks.
3. Your pounds
4. Farm practice.

It's certain on no matter how much you invest with good farm practice you will earn 100% profit. Your initial capital cannot be considered as your initial investment because 60% goes into fixed capital. Your inital investment is your stock and feed cost. If you intend to stock 1000 fingerings you add 200pcs for mortality. Prompt change of water, feeding and souting can reduce mortality to the bearest minimum. If you think is not profitable so be it. We stock 20,000pcs + 2000 mortality and we harvest every 3 months. The business is good and worth investing.

are u into melange?

mekaboy:
[b]YES THE POND IS FIXED ASSET, THAT 100K WHICH I USED FOR THE POND CAN ASWELL BE SHIFTED TO THE MAINTENANCE OF THE POND. ARE SAYING YOU WONT SPEND UP TO 100K IN 6 MONTHS IN MAINTENANCE OF THE POND? WATER , FILTERS, HEATER, ETC .

BESIDES FROM MY ESTIMATE I ASSUMED THAT YOU BOUGHT 1000 PIECES AND WAS ABLE TO GROW THE 1000 PIECES IN 6 MONTHS, WHICH IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE, SO WE NOW ASSUME YOU BOUGHT 1000 PIECES AND 100PIECES DIED BEFORE THE 6 MONTHS . NOW YOU WONT EVEN MAKE AS MUCH AS I ESTIMATED FROM THE SALES.

ALSO, WHILE YOU ARE WAITING FOR CUSTOMERS TO BUY UP THE 900PIECES THAT CAME THROUGH, IT COULD TAKE EXTRA 1 MONTH, AND YOU WILL STILL BE FEEDING THEM WHILE YOU WAIT .

ITS EVEN LESS PROFITABLE THAN I ESTIMATED, ITS A TYPE OF BUSINESS THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO INVEST HEAVILY INTO TO MAKE MONEY OUT OF IT, OR YOU DO IT IN YOU BACHYARD FOR YOUR OWN USE.

SO NEXT TIME A YOUNG HUSTLING NIGERIAN SAYS HE HAS 500K AND LOOKING FOR WHAT TO INVEST IN , PLEASE LET THEM KNOW HOW MUCH THEY WILL MAKE IN THE FIRST 6MONTHS OF THEIR BUSINESS ASSUMING THEY INVESTED THAT 500K IN FISH FARMING. TELL THEM THAT THEY MIGHT NOT MAKE UP TO 20K IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS.
[/b]

Alright sir. So when are they likely to make the profit? Cos am a victim of this already. I raised 500 fishes in 3 months and made N10,000.