₦airaland Forum

Two important lessons from Recirculotory Aquaculture System (RAS).
1. Water is continuously renewed, removing fish waste. The environment makes the fishes comfortable, rate of metabolism increases, thereby increasing the demand for food.
2. Quality feed is provided in adequate quantity. Feeding regime is intensive, thereby reducing the harvest / turn around time (cycle).

In flowing earthen pond, fresh water is always renewing. Adequate feed with twice a day feeding regime usually produce a very impressive harvest. Being a natural habitat, algae and other microorganisms are available for the fishes to eat.

In stagnant earthen pond, the story is a bit different. Pond water usually get laden with fish waste, and uneaten feed, level of water pollution is high. At times, it may even be necessary to pump fresh water into the pond. Fish growth here cannot be compared with the flowing earthen pond.

In concrete ponds or plastic tanks, the situation in both is similar. Water is pumped in, and drained after a period of time. This is the common flow through system .
Depending on the inflow and outflow design of a concrete pond or plastic tank, if a continuous water inflow is established, a clean and clear water can be created in the pond or tank for the fishes.
The demand for food increases and growth is enhanced, if quality feed in adequate quantity is provided. Please note that the quality of fish seed stocked is of paramount importance here.

UPDATE :

I appreciate all those interested in this training program, who are outside the catchment areas. You can still be mentored free through electronic media platforms. There are Mentees outside catchment areas enjoying the free mentoring at the moment.

If you're in the training catchment area, register, and order now for mobilisation and delivery of Batch 20Q4 Special / Jumbo Catfish seeds, with collection slated for October, 2020.

5 Participating Slots - 1 Slot Open
FREE registration is open until 27th August 2020.
.

Contact 0802-334-0270 whatsapp / call for details.

ademola1333:
The recirculatory system can only work with artificial ponds?

Yes. One can learn few things from the recirculation system process, and incorporate in any type of pond.

gonerest:
you are too much sir

It's all about knowledge sharing, when what I know and share with others, is a solution to raised issue, then it's a win-win situation for both of us. You're happy, for a positive result, and I'm encouraged to do more.

Wishing you the best in catfish farming always.

Practical Hands-on Training

https://www.nairaland.com/6062814/free-catfish-seed-learning-purpose

The situation in Nigeria is very pathetic. The government is not properly monitoring the economic driven policies and measures in the country, to curtail food price inflation. As long as we have briefcase and political farmers, as well as greedy middle men, food commodities price will continue to increase.

Nigeria at the moment is a rice producer, hence the people should feel this impact. However, if a G. Crony with money bags buy off the entire monthly rice production of a rice producing company, hoard the rice to create scarcity and then resell at an unimaginable amount, continuous price increases is inevitable.

Since some States are rice producers, there supposed to be regulated prices for which the commodity is sold to the public. In some cases, accredited states selling points, add other unofficial charges, thus making the product more expensive than expected.
Regulated price control is of great essence, without which exploitation is imminent.

Petroleum products pricing is a good example for us. Very soon, when the downstream operation is deregulated, the reality of the time will be starring at consumers.

The Consumer Protection Agency has been rendered redundant.

3. Farm/Facility production management techniques.

Irrespective of the size or magnitude of a fish farm, there are some basic things that need to be provided, and systematically managed for optimal results.

The focus here shall be restricted, to raising catfish in captivity. For us to be able to have a better understanding of one of the production techniques , we shall consider the concept of a "Recirculatory System ".

In summary, the recirculatory system of rearing catfish, is rearing the fish in a closed circuit system, whereby the waste water or effluent is treated, with all impurities removed, and the clean water is returned to the fishes.
If the filtration system is working perfectly well, the fish tank is always very clear.
Since water is always refreshing, the fishes eat better, and grow well, as feed conversion / fish metabolism in enhanced.
The Dutch Strain as explained in previous post, has been of preferred interest for this system. Maturity and harvest of fish raised in this system is enhanced also.

What lesson can we derive here for tank and earthen systems of catfish rearing?

gonerest:
House pls help oooo, my fishes are dying on daily basis at time 8 ,7 ,6 ,3 ,2 . No day without mortality . I have a very good seed and i change water every 3 days. I bought 540 taday is one week 5 days old from Jumbo sizes but 507 is left in my pond . Pls timely advise is needed.

This is a very serious case.
1. Stop feeding to identify main cause of death in order to stop it.
2. Change water regularly.
Cause of death likely to be your inability to regularly change water. If not everyday, then every other day, while you make sure you're not over feeding.
3. When the water is polluted with uneaten feed, plus fish waste, and you continue feeding, mortality results.
4. When you change the water, add salt solution as an anti stress.

If you need clarification, please contact me on 0802-334-0270 whatsapp / call.

Unique Training Concept
I believe in the act of doing, hence the introduction of this mentoring scheme. There are many indicators to the training uniqueness.
The main one, being a Win-Win situation for participants as they conveniently learn catfish rearing in the comfort of their homes, and also make money at the end of the training harvesting fishes.

To be successful in catfish rearing, following are the three major factors.
1. Good seed - fingerlings, Juveniles, others.
2. Good feeds in quality, and adequate quantities.
3. Good management /production practices.

Factors 1 and 2 are guaranteed through this forum, while the management practices depend on the extent to which the participants follow mentoring instructions. This is usually evident at harvest, when participants performances are assessed.
Why don't you consider being part of this trend to grow the Aquaculture Industry feeding people, in post Covid era?

Register, and order now for mobilisation and delivery of Batch 20Q4 Special / Jumbo Catfish seeds, with collection slated for October, 2020.
5 Participating Slots - 3 Slots Open.

Contact 0802-334-0270 whatsapp / call for details.

FREE Seed mobilisation for mentoring.

https://www.nairaland.com/6062814/free-catfish-seed-learning-purpose

Due to the resultant economic effect of Covid-19, and numerous requests, after the last batch of the FREE hands-on / practical training mobilisation program in the thread below :

https://www.nairaland.com/4744462/free-catfish-farming-training-mobilisation

I have decided to encourage, guide/ mentor 5 beginners, with Free 50 Juveniles / Jumbo Catfish of high quality, for learning process in the last quarter of 2020, through, seed handling, feeds(feeding) and production management techniques, including harvesting.

However, in view of logistics, this learning mobilization / offer shall be restricted to those in Ogba (Ifako, Ijaiye LGA, Lagos State), and 'Lambe ('Lambe is between Akute and Agbado in Lagos/Ogun state) areas and environs.

FREE registration is now open until 27th August 2020 for 5 participants ONLY.

If interested, please contact : -
0802-334-0270 WhatsApp/ call.

ademola1333:
As regards the floating pellet in the last attached picture, can one use the same ingredients used in making the sinking pellet? I once heard making floating pellet is ingredient-selective?

I tried to use the same ingredients / formulation a company used to produce floating feed for me, for sinking pelletized feed. It didn't work.
The main issue here is the process. The sinking feed is produced with a pelletizing machine, while a floating feed is produced with an extruder. The machines are different, and so also the process in each machine differs.

We appreciate our numerous customers, who bought Juveniles and post Juveniles (Jumbo/Special) from us in the July / August batch, which has been exhausted.

Your positive feedback has been encouraging to us. We shall continue to improve on our services irrespective of the level of our production achievements.

Our resolve is to continue to give you the very best of our products, to enhance your catfish rearing, and production experiences.

We appreciate you all from around, and outside of Lagos State.

When our next batch of Juveniles / post - Juveniles (Jumbo /Special) are ready, we shall notify you. However, you can also book in advance for your scheduled production.

ademola1333:
Thanks for the time and attention you give whenever you are contacted. You are a generous and kind-hearted man. May God bless you and your family abundantly!

Thanks, you're just what you're saying about me. Despite not meeting with you personally, you have proved your worth. Hope you're enjoying the mentoring already.

Henryimoter:
Soyabeans available for pick up call 07069670428

I don't use the type of Soya beans you sell, hence I don't recommend such. Thank you.

alkines:
yes am in lagos

Successful catfish rearing requires the following basic inputs, among others. It is assumed that rearing facility, no matter the capacity is already on ground. Since aquaculture is raising fishes in water, adequate fresh water supply is expected, which has to be refreshed continuously, daily or every other day.

In changing of the water, it is necessary to have a good drainage for the effluent from the fish pond, without constituting environment nuisance to the neighborhood.

What rearing facility do you have, or intend to have?
Do you always have control of adequate fresh water?
Do you have good drainage for the facility effluent so as not to constitute environmental nuisance to your neighborhood?

I always advice, Dream Big, Start Small, learn the basics, and grow your dream farm.
what quantity of fish do you intend to start / learn with?

This is a unique mentoring / training with a win-win edge. You learn FREE, and make money learning, all in the comfort of your home.

alkines:
I am an intending catfish farmer and love to be tutored physically

I believe in Hands -on- Training, which you will do in the comfort of your house. If your location is around Lagos and Ogun states, it's visible.

You can check the thread below for such training.

https://www.nairaland.com/4744462/free-catfish-farming-training-mobilisation

luwiizy:
boss, please update. I know you got a lot on your table.

Thank you for your patience.

Gadgetmobil:
Waiting Boss
Also could you help differentiate BTW Clara's and Hybrid

Are you enlightened with last post on Hybrid issue?

ademola1333:
Thanks for the enlightenment, God bless you.

I want to ask this too: Does Dutch Strain Clarias has any advantage over the common clarias garienpuses?

Your question of interest has a very vast answer. However, I'll try as much as possible to give a summary.

Dutch catfish or Dutch Clarias is a domesticated strain of Clarias Gariepinus produced in Netherlands. The strain was bred from about 40 Clarias Gariepinus individuals from Cameroon, and supplemented with fish the Central Africa Republic, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire and Israel.
A total of 3900 MT of the Dutch strain are produced, with exports to various countries such as Germany, Ukraine, Bulgaria, England, Nigeria and Israel.
The Dutch domesticated Clarias were identified as the stock of choice for closed reciprocating systems, in which these strains showed very good growth rates.

However, the strain has reproduction problems because they produce few eggs, and a low fertilization rate was observed.
Thus domesticated strain is hybrid catfish.
In Nigeria, you can also produce hybrid catfish by crossing Clarias Gariepinus with Hetero Bacchus to get Hetero-clarias (hybrid).

As an entrepreneur, I decided to stick with Clarias Gariepinus, which I have taken much time to study through various research experiments.
Many of our Broodstock customers producing hybrid catfish complained a lot about the milt related issues during outbreeding.

I appreciate all those who have been contacting me through whatsapp and calls, irrespective of their locations. Let us all grow together to make Nigeria great, feeding our people with quality catfish.

ademola1333:
I never knew it was you. You are welcome Sir

It's a small world, be good to all, whatsoever a man sow, that shall he reap.

Will share my view on Dutch Clarias in the next post.

@ademola1333, I appreciate your prompt response to my enquiries on fish feed ingredients.
Looking forward to an opportunity of meeting with you.

ademola1333:
Are runts peculiar to hybrid as they are peculiar to clarias?

I don't produce hybrid , hence can't talk much about them. However, will like to share my understanding about runts in catfish rearing.

Runts are usually fishes which for one reason or the other (sickness/antibiotic treatment at fry stage, inadequate feeding), have retarded growth. Irrespective of the fact that catfish have compensatory growth potential, runts will not grow. I was a victim of runts in my early catfish rearing days.

Generally, in every spawn or a catfish production cycle / batch, there are usually three distinct groups, the small, medium and large.
The Large are usually very small in quantity, and these are early hatchlings, who passed through the yoke sac absorption stage ahead of others, thereafter prey on those still in yoke sac absorption stage.
The medium group are the greatest in number in any spawn. Usually about 60% -65% of a spawn. Very interesting group.
The small are the last. Although they are small compared to the rest in the batch, but the growth potential is also very encouraging.

Runts
Runts are not supposed to get out of the hatchery. After first and second sorting (and probably the third), any fish that does not fall within the three groupings are to be discarded, as food for bigger fishes.
Since some fingerlings producers are not sincere, they still sell the fishes out, most especially when buyers price fingerlings so low.

The season of gravid female catfish is here. Hatchability is also very high

https://www.nairaland.com/6016946/african-catfish-propagation-reality

We just don't sell broodstocks, your result is our major concern.

2. Quality Fish Feeds.

Another important and crucial factor for successful and profitable catfish rearing is quality feeds.
Emphasis regarding feed, is such quantity required to sustain the growth profile of catfish. It is not gain saying that catfish feeds constitute about 70% of the rearing cost, hence the need for a good quality fish feed, that is not expensive, but delivers expected result.

A farmer with catfish nutritional knowledge can compound his feeds with basic ingredients like fish meal, poultry meal, feather meal, soya, gnc, maize, wheat offal, etc. There is need to be cautious about formulations, as the feed must be palatable, otherwise the fishes will reject it, and it will be a waste.

We extensively carried out research, on catfish feeds, and started the production of local pelletized feeds(first picture), for our fishes, for many years. We extend the usage of the pelletized feeds to those we mentored in 2018 and 2019. The acknowledged results from this stage encouraged us further unto the production of extruded feeds.

We now produce floating grower and finisher feeds for our fishes from Juveniles stage (second picture). We also extend the usage to those who patronize us for fish seed.

From points 1 and 2, it is very clear that quality fish seed requires quality fish feeds in adequate quality to enhance the growth profile of catfish, for a bountiful harvest. These alone can not guarantee successful catfish rearing without the farm/facility production management techniques(next post).

If you're a practicing farmer or intending farmer (Lagos/Ogun States), who really want to enjoy catfish farming, feel free to contact 08023340270 whatsapp / call for FREE mentoring.

Olofin2:
I planned to borrow from bank while I keep using my salary to buy feed. Other things later started gulping the salary.

I'm in Oyo town

I started with Aller Aqua 0.9mm, 2mm, 3mm blue crown, now I'm using 4mm echo float.

What a hitch in your planning strategy? In fish farming, it's better when you have sufficient feeds because "No feed, No Gain".

The feeds you've been using are good.
Prioritize your expenses and look for a feed mill around the town, to compound feed. This may be of help to a certain extent, and you would have learnt something new. In every adversity, there's a lesson.
The big fishes will become bigger, eating the small ones because of insufficient feed.

@olofin2
1. Why did you stock fish that you cannot feed? It's like planning to fail, even from on set.
2. Where is your location?
3. Which feed are you using?

Female broodstock produce more eggs in the wet season than in the dry seasons.
There is a clear evidence of the effect of season, on the quantity of eggs released by the female broodstock.

Eggs released during the months of December, January and February are lower than those released during the months of March to November.
Although, high numbers of egg release are recorded in April, May, July, August, September, October, the highest number being in August. This has also been confirmed through feedbacks received from our customers.

Eggs release by female broodstock is all year round, however, the quantity of egg released is affected by seasons.

Contact Catfish Broodstock Depot,
https://www.nairaland.com/4742640/catfish-broodstock-depot
for your quality male and female broodstock - 08023340270 whatsapp / call.

Catfish Jumbo for delivery in the picture.
The Catfish Jumbos are still available, call for yours for an interesting catfish rearing experience.

folak48:
I am a benefiary of your unequalled generosity sir, no fingerling seller has been able to match up to that by giving 50 jumbo catfish for free. I really doff my hat for you sir.
God Bless You.

Batch 19Q3 Fishes and Feeds Mobilisation / Delivery-UPDATE
Mobilization and delivery of jumbo catfish and feeds was successfully completed today 24th August 2019.
The climax of today's Training Workshop was the attendance of a female participant from Abeokuta in Ogun State (what those in the training catchment areas of Lagos never see, she saw). After confirmation of her safe arrival back home (Abeokuta), she said, she and her household did not believe someone could give 50 Jumbo Catfish, and also share rearing experiences Free, but she happened to be a beneficiary.

Final and concluding session of this free mobilization and training scheme is Batch 19Q4, coming up between October and December 2019.

@Folak48 was a participant in Batch 19Q3 of the closed free fish mobilisation and training scheme.