₦airaland Forum

Muyiwa was tired.

Tired of seeing people post:
“Fish farming changed my life.”
“₦500k profit in 4 months.”
“Catfish farming is the new oil.”

Everywhere he turned on Facebook and YouTube, somebody was smiling beside ponds and holding big fish.

So one day, he made a decision.

He borrowed money.

Five Million naira

Money from cooperative.
Money from friends.
Money from family savings.

Because in his mind, fish farming was simple:
👉 Buy fish.
👉 Feed fish.
👉 Sell fish.
👉 Make profit.

What nobody told him was that fish farming can humble a grown man emotionally.

Muyiwa had no mentor. Only Online Social Media Mentors

No practical training.

Though he has little understanding of feed and feeding based on what was told online, but lack understanding of stocking density, grading, fish behavior, sales and marketing

But confidence was high.

He stocked 5000 of post-fingerlings immediately because he wanted “Good ROI.”

The first few weeks looked exciting.

The fish were active.
They rushed feed aggressively.
Friends visited the farm and praised him, uploaded the videos and posted it

He started calculating profit in his head already.

Then reality started quietly.

First problem:
Feeding reduced.

Then mortality started.

2 fish.
5 fish.
12 fish.

People told him:
“That one is normal.”

So he ignored it.

One morning, he got to the pond and saw dozens floating.

Dead.

That was the first day panic entered his heart.

He changed water anyhow.
Added salt because somebody online recommended it.
Reduced feed. Add bitter leaf, add antibiotics
Increased feed again.

Nothing was coordinated because he never truly understood what he was doing.

Then, the price of feed went up as a result of inflation.

Almost every week, the price of fish was going up.

The money he borrowed was disappearing faster than the fish were growing.

Soon, feeding became fear.

Every bag opened felt like money burning.
He started Rationing, someone advised him to formulate local feed to save cost. He did, then another problem for a newbie.
Then water management became a problem because of the sinking feed that pollutes water so fast, he would have to pump water more than expected.

At this point:
The fish were not growing uniformly.

Some were big.
Many were tiny.
His Cost started going up because of frequent water changes

Cannibalism had reduced the pond density because he never graded on time.
The locally formulated feed was not giving the expected result.
The nutrient requirements were not met

Like Yakubu, he endured and ‘managed’ for 4 months.

But the biggest shock came during sales.

The buyers he expected never showed up.

When they showed up the price was ridiculous.

Middlemen even offered worst prices.

Some said:
“The fish never reach size.”
“The Price of Fish have come down”
“That’s the price farmer A, B, C, D and E is selling”
“Town I, J, K, L are even selling lower than town U”

Meanwhile the fish were still consuming feed every single day.
He had stayed additional 3 weeks beyond the expected sales day

Debt pressure started building.

Calls started coming.

“When are you paying back?”
“How far with the farm?”
“You said harvest was this month…”

Muyiwa stopped sleeping well. Praying, the fish should not die.
Hoping the price will go up.

The same business that looked exciting online was now giving him anxiety in real life.

One evening, after calculating his expenses, he realized something painful:

He was not farming fish anymore.

He was feeding debt. More than 40% of his capital has gone.

This is the hidden side of fish farming nobody posts online.

Many people enter this business because of motivation…
Filtered Online Post, etc.
But stay trapped because they ignored Preparation.

Fish farming is profitable.

But experience matters.
Mentorship matters.
Training matters.
Planning matters.
Starting small Can teach you a lot.

Before you borrow money for fish farming…

Please learn first.

— The Hidden Sides of Fish Farming Nobody Posts Online (Series),
by Olaide Abayomi

I will never eat cat fish .very disgusting

True. And its also applicable for others.

Fayos1:
True. And its also applicable for others.

Yes very true, I lost money heavily when I first invested into Fish Farming. But I'm forever happy for going into Fish Farming which has made me several Millions annually since then, I now see my first investment as the School Fees I had to pay. Years of experience have taught me that:
1.) Using freely or almost freely available alternatives to feed Catfish is better than buying imported feeds.
2.) Diversifying into other uncommon Fish Species apart from Catfish is the current Wealth-Source Monopoly.
Right at your Compound backyard in Tarpaulins Ponds, if you desire to start Farming scaly European Carp Fish Species, or Red Tilapia, GIFT Tilapia, Brahma Fish, Heterotis Niloticus or Pangasius Fish Specie quote me with your Email or Namber, I have the fingerlings of these Species that have less voracious appetite than Catfish and have better feed conversion ratio.
My passion for Aquaculture also made me travel to Uganda to learn how to Breed Nile Perch (The only Fresh Water Fish that grows Bigger than Human Size). Many Europeans, Americans, and Chinese, etc. wonder why they don't have such Massive Fish in their Fresh Water, check Internet and you will see many of them Travelling to Africa just to take pictures with our Nile Perches. ALMIGHTY I AM THAT I AM Our CREATOR truly Bless Africa! Nile Perch is the Fish that has mystified and attracted so many White Tourists.
If you have Big Land for Pond Liner Fish Pond Construction, I set up Nile Perch Fish Farms internationally too. China has opened the eyes of the Western World to the great value of Nile Perch bladders: Health-boosting Delicacy, and the meaty Fleshy Fish is now the most sought after for its bladders and massive Fleshy Meat. It's in so much demnd that international Buyers are no more waiting for the Nile Perch to mature in Lake Victoria any more, they are now encouraging locals to massively net the not so big ones for them.
Independent Breeders of Nile Perch are too few because it requires big land and big capital.
Unfortunately, African Governments are myopically focussing on Petroleum while unknowingly sitting on greatest Goldmine called Nile Perch Fish Farming, if only Nigeria and other East African Governments would establish Farms for it in various Regions, massive Forex is guaranteed from Nile Perch Fish Farming.

If your hand is not good with livestock. Nor put body e get why.

That thing that is following you will do you strong thing.

Masterclass or what are you teaching?

Apcshit:
I will never eat cat fish .very disgusting

one man’s disgusting is another man’s gusting

The problem is peculiar with most agricultural practices, from the outside, it looks so easy but when you dive into it, you will know that you are still a learner.

Wow !

This is an eye opener!



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc8w_qkqH8g?si=fSeOXwYX8Sokg_aa

Livestock farming will humble you if you no get good education (both formal and informal), and you don't employ professionals

In Fish farming it's either your farming fish or the fish is farming you

Thank you.
How much is your training or ebook. Just go straight

Every business has its risk.

fish farming no be moimoi oo

Funny thing is most people claiming expert on fish farming online never actually get involved in the business. And many are being deceived into going to it

Because in his mind, fish farming was simple
👉 Buy fish.
👉 Feed fish.
👉 Sell fish.
👉 Make profit.

This is quite laughable.

To succeed in fish farming you need to be in an area with steady NEPA 24hrs power or use a solar that can power borehole.

Don't borrow to start it.

Learn how to hatch your own fishes instead of buying from people.

Earthen ponds is best but you can still use concrete ponds.

Learn to use local feeds to save cost or learn to produce your own feeds cheaper.

Get training first in proper fish mgt especially how to prevent cannibalism in fish.

With this even if your village people is doing you,you can still make millions from it

Coming from a millionaire fish farmer.

Who borrows money to start fish farming?

My mom did this business years ago. I know the wonders I saw.... fish wey dey eat themselves . Some will enter ground and if your pound mistakenly get flooded say e don go

Fish farming is a very delicate business.

Apcshit:
I will never eat cat fish .very disgusting

You would change your mind if you get a good griller to help you prepare catfish barbecue.

Lanretoye:
one man’s disgusting is another man’s gusting

My sweet roasted gusting.

Fish farming no be for the faint-hearted. My dad runs a fish farm, and when he started during Goodluck Jonathan’s time, an average bag of foreign fish feed depending on the fish size was around 7k. As we all know, different fish sizes require different feeds.

The last time we discussed, he was already considering suspending the business because of the high cost of feed and the cost of pumping water. Fuel is now over 1300 per litre, and to make matters worse, the transformer in their community has not been working for over a year.

For now, he has shifted more into raising noiler birds, which seems to be more profitable and less stressful.

Yommiefish:
Muyiwa was tired.

Tired of seeing people post:
“Fish farming changed my life.”
“₦500k profit in 4 months.”
“Catfish farming is the new oil.”

Everywhere he turned on Facebook and YouTube, somebody was smiling beside ponds and holding big fish.

So one day, he made a decision.

He borrowed money.

Five Million naira

Money from cooperative.
Money from friends.
Money from family savings.

Because in his mind, fish farming was simple:
👉 Buy fish.
👉 Feed fish.
👉 Sell fish.
👉 Make profit.

What nobody told him was that fish farming can humble a grown man emotionally.

Muyiwa had no mentor. Only Online Social Media Mentors

No practical training.

Though he has little understanding of feed and feeding based on what was told online, but lack understanding of stocking density, grading, fish behavior, sales and marketing

But confidence was high.

He stocked 5000 of post-fingerlings immediately because he wanted “Good ROI.”

The first few weeks looked exciting.

The fish were active.
They rushed feed aggressively.
Friends visited the farm and praised him, uploaded the videos and posted it

He started calculating profit in his head already.

Then reality started quietly.

First problem:
Feeding reduced.

Then mortality started.

2 fish.
5 fish.
12 fish.

People told him:
“That one is normal.”

So he ignored it.

One morning, he got to the pond and saw dozens floating.

Dead.

That was the first day panic entered his heart.

He changed water anyhow.
Added salt because somebody online recommended it.
Reduced feed. Add bitter leaf, add antibiotics
Increased feed again.

Nothing was coordinated because he never truly understood what he was doing.

Then, the price of feed went up as a result of inflation.

Almost every week, the price of fish was going up.

The money he borrowed was disappearing faster than the fish were growing.

Soon, feeding became fear.

Every bag opened felt like money burning.
He started Rationing, someone advised him to formulate local feed to save cost. He did, then another problem for a newbie.
Then water management became a problem because of the sinking feed that pollutes water so fast, he would have to pump water more than expected.

At this point:
The fish were not growing uniformly.

Some were big.
Many were tiny.
His Cost started going up because of frequent water changes

Cannibalism had reduced the pond density because he never graded on time.
The locally formulated feed was not giving the expected result.
The nutrient requirements were not met

Like Yakubu, he endured and ‘managed’ for 4 months.

But the biggest shock came during sales.

The buyers he expected never showed up.

When they showed up the price was ridiculous.

Middlemen even offered worst prices.

Some said:
“The fish never reach size.”
“The Price of Fish have come down”
“That’s the price farmer A, B, C, D and E is selling”
“Town I, J, K, L are even selling lower than town U”

Meanwhile the fish were still consuming feed every single day.
He had stayed additional 3 weeks beyond the expected sales day

Debt pressure started building.

Calls started coming.

“When are you paying back?”
“How far with the farm?”
“You said harvest was this month…”

Muyiwa stopped sleeping well. Praying, the fish should not die.
Hoping the price will go up.

The same business that looked exciting online was now giving him anxiety in real life.

One evening, after calculating his expenses, he realized something painful:

He was not farming fish anymore.

He was feeding debt. More than 40% of his capital has gone.

This is the hidden side of fish farming nobody posts online.

Many people enter this business because of motivation…
Filtered Online Post, etc.
But stay trapped because they ignored Preparation.

Fish farming is profitable.

But experience matters.
Mentorship matters.
Training matters.
Planning matters.
Starting small Can teach you a lot.

Before you borrow money for fish farming…

Please learn first.

— The Hidden Sides of Fish Farming Nobody Posts Online (Series),
by Olaide Abayomi

very interesting write up and thanks op…….you nailed every aspect of it. I’m also a livestock farmer basically poultry and fish farming…..fish farming is lucrative and profitable but you need have mentorship and proper training to invest in fish farming and most importantly experience place a great role in how far you will go in the business. A lot of people don’t want to go through the ropes but they believe it just about building a pond and having fishes in the water.

true,I started same way but I had teachers I was giving feedback,I had to always bribe them before they would come check my farm out.5000 fishes is a big lot,space can kill them fast,pH level of water,over feeding kills too.but I don over sabi now

There is nothing like theoritical mentorship when it comes to fish farming. You must learn the hard way several times before creating your own pathway and procedures. I started fish farming with 330 fingerlings

There are 2 businesses I can never do with anyone once agriculture is involved, though I don't know about the rest but fish farming and rearing boilers for 6 weeks to sell....

Those two ehn, I can never never never never do them because I was a farm manager from 2018 till 2022 n I had first hand experience of how the two can make people cry....the reality is that only few people smile from those 2 businesses I mentioned above.


Let me explain fish farming to u, u must have enough time for them at least twice a day n u must b very observant.

U must b observant in d sense that u must understand when they eat n when they don't, as if that isn't enough u must always do sorting to reduce cannibalism cos u can't avoid it.

Water pH, soil density (too much mud reduces oxygen) and so on n so forth, one little mistake might cos u your pond especially if it's an earthing pond n water from other ponds enter it...

I see men cry at pond side so even if I become dangote tomorrow, I can't try fish farming.

As for 6 weeks rearing of boilers to sell, just know that if u don't have a sure plug u will lose big time because once u have left overs that weren't bought, the profit u made from the previous sales will b used in feeding them n the buyers don't send u....it get worse when your sure plug (eateries, hotels n co fold up or they get another customer that sells cheaper)...u will just get stranded

That's when u will see a poultry farmer sell birds worth 25k for 15k simply because he needs to buy feeds

Similar story with almost every business but at different degrees of complexity.

First you must learn.

Second you must understudy a successful farmer.

As a beginner, do not aspire to start off big. For example, do not aspire to start off with 5000 fingerlings/juveniles/sub adults. Preferably you should start with 500 pieces of whatever size.

Understand management of a fish pond.

Ensure that you have money available.

Do not listen to motivational speakers who tell you to make your feed by yourself.

As a beginner, please ensure to use imported feed up till table size. Once you have the required weight, you can use local feed for a few days while you source for buyers. Table size gives you advantage when buyers come.

Ensure that you have access to good water.
If you use concrete ponds, please ensure that the environment is safe for fish. If you use earthen ponds, ensure that predators do not have access. They can be frogs, snakes, alligators, birds, humans, etc. Ensure to cover the top with nets.

When they tell you about drugs, be careful. Good feed and good practice are your drugs and safety nets.

Do not count your eggs before the hatch.

If you use earthen ponds, please be alert during the raining season because of flooding.

Constant missing of feeding schedule will lead to stunted growth and loss when you are ready to sell. Ensure proper feeding, not over feeding or under feeding.

Cannibalism is nothing to fear please. It only happens when there's hunger and it's not widespread in the pond.

Injured fish to be removed without delay. Fish go after blood.

Commit your time and efforts. Livestock need constant attention.

Oops! I forgot to mention overstocking of your pond, when you talk about cannibalism. The failed farmer probably operated in a single pond that was incapable of carrying 5000 fish. That’s quite huge and fish of such quantity need adequate space and adequate water, especially if your are operating a concrete pond. Even if you operate earthen ponds, you must ensure proper stocking in adequate ponds. If you fail to do so, expect fish to easily run into each other, causing injury and cannibalism. The same should go for those who use tarpaulin.

In all, please beware of sweet talkers. They cause confusion.

Cheers.

The problem with our online businessmen is that a lot of them just copy and paste write-ups on any subject and start looking for unsuspecting prey like this our farmer.
When as an experienced professional on any subject, sometimes you marvel at some of these our social media experts be it in farming, IT, Forex trading......
Like someone did mentioned in one of the post if it is too good it is likely not good
I am an experienced farmer I have ventured into catfish, poultry and rabbits farming. All of them are very profitable if you have good management. but raising quality products is not the end, in fact it is the beginning. The major headaches of Nigeria farmers are
1. Market middle men
2. Cost of feeding
3. Lack of professional support in case of emergency
4. small scale investment

*The catfish market women are the one who determine the price of fish except you have a contractual supply.
*either formulated or off-the shelf feeds, non is cheaper.
*getting your ready product off your farm is another problem that erode profit


If you are newbie and want to venture into catfish farming and you have space and suitable environment for waste water disposal I will advise earthen pond.
* This one requires lesser labour than caged fish
* also you can easily feed with formulated and non conventional feeds like left over foods, carcasses of animals such as treated chicken intestine, bones...
* This reduces your feed demand pressure
* But like we always say earthen pond is like black market, until you harvest your pond you can't determine your profitability.
but on the average earthen pond gives you relative peace of mind.
Finally a little investment in oven smoking will help with unsold fish.

olayinka63:
Thank you.
How much is your training or ebook. Just go straight

I no fit laugh.....u funny oooo

Sweet maize will be the next disappointment

the first tear or two in fish farming is for experience and training , you will find out that most advice given may not work on your own farm so you will have to devise your own methods of doing it in order to be making profit .
another aspect is the marketing , that one or two year will enable you study your location and market , you will be able to have your own clients