Catfish farming

Why you should do catfish farming

In the last few years, catfish farming has become one of the most popular business ideas for business people. The reason is because fish farming requires not much capital, but promises quite a lucrative profit. Experience in business is not much needed in raising catfish.

Therefore, many Indonesian people who have limited capital decide to engage in this business. It is proven that not a few novice businessmen have succeeded in reaping the benefits of catfish farming which is very easy to live.

The great interest of the public to consume catfish also makes this business still shows a bright chance of success. As a result, catfish farmers can easily market their harvests to distributors so that money can certainly be obtained.

No need to elaborate anymore, know the ins and outs of the following catfish cultivation so that you always reap the benefits of this business.

Catfish Farmers Only Need 2 Million Capital To Get Started

One of the reasons many people want to do catfish business is because it only requires a small capital. This can be proven by calculating the costs needed to buy all livestock needs to business operational costs every month. The total cost of the catfish in total is only 2 million Rupiah.

For example, in starting a catfish business, you will need 2 large tarpaulins for 600 thousand Rupiah. Then, for the framework of the pool, you can take advantage of strong bamboo material for a maximum price of 300 thousand Rupiah. 

Plus nails and other necessities, let's just say it costs 50 thousand. The total funds needed to make a catfish pond are only 950 thousand Rupiah.

Entering the details of the operational needs of catfish, there are three things that must be prepared every month. These three things are:

1. Catfish Seeds 

For catfish seeds, as many as 2000 tails, usually priced at 500 thousand Rupiah.

2. Fish Feed

As for fish feed, it costs as much as 500 thousand Rupiah per month.

3. Vitamins and Medicine for Catfish

Plus the need for vitamins and drugs of 100 thousand. These vitamins and drugs are useful for making catfish grow better.

The total monthly cost of catfish farming is 1.1 million Rupiah. Thus, the total capital required to become a catfish businessman is 2,100,000 Rupiah. 

But keep in mind that these expenses only occur when you are just starting a catfish business. When you have entered the second harvest period, you only need to spend money to buy business operational costs.

The Right Way of Cultivating Catfish and Maximizing Harvest Yields

After knowing the amount of capital needed to become a catfish farmer, you need to understand how to properly maintain it. Actually, the catfish farming business does not require a lot of experience and special knowledge to be successful. However, if the understanding of the keeper is completely absent, it is certain that the catfish will fail to be harvested.

1. How to Make a Fish Pond

The first thing to consider when going into the catfish business is how to make a fish pond. A catfish farmer must be able to maintain the water temperature in the pond in the range of 20 to 28 degrees. 

The easiest way to get the right water temperature is to make sure the pool water is not shallow and gets enough sunlight. Also make sure the water is cloudy with moss and if necessary add taro or water hyacinth so that the poison that enters can be absorbed. Catfish can also have a place to take shelter under the plant.

2. Choose Superior Seeds

After the pond matters are handled, the second thing to consider when doing catfish farming business is the selection of superior seeds. For the characteristics of quality male catfish seeds, usually the shape of the stomach is slender, the head tends to be flat, and is blacker in color and can swim agilely.

As for the female, the main characteristics are the size of the stomach that is larger than the size of the back, the head is convex, and the movement is slower. The sex of female catfish also tends to be rounder than the male which looks more pointed. So, make sure the seeds you buy have the above characteristics.

3. Move the Seeds to a Special Place

It is not impossible that the seeds that have grown up will mate and give birth to more seeds. The characteristics of catfish that are ready to mate are the appearance of a red color in the male genitalia, and a yellow color in the female genitalia. When the egg is fertilized, the catfish seed will hatch and you must move the seed to a special place so that it can grow properly.

Once the catfish seeds start to grow, you need to move them into the main pond. However, do not immediately take catfish using nets because the fry will become stressed and then die. Instead, you can take a bucket filled with pond water in the morning or evening and transfer the catfish to it. 

Leave the catfish in the bucket while allowing it to adapt to the pond water and reduce the water discharge in the pond by 10 to 20 cm. After 24 hours have passed, then you can move all the fish in the bucket into the catfish pond as usual.

4. Ensure Clean Water Conditions

Turning to the maintenance method, you must make sure the water in the pool is in clean condition. 

5. Regularly Feed Fish

Also, make sure to regularly feed the 781-1 fish feed three times a day, at 07.00, 17.00, and 22.00. If there are still a lot of catfish raising their heads to eat, you can increase the portion, but not too much because it can cause disease.

Usually, catfish will be ready for harvest when they have been kept for approximately 3 to 4 months. Seen from its physical characteristics, ready-to-harvest catfish measuring 7 to 12 cm because that size is the most widely traded in the market. The water in the pond will turn reddish when the catfish is ready to be harvested.

So, when farmed catfish have these characteristics, be sure to move them to a special place and clean the pond so that it can be inhabited by new seeds. That way, your business can run more quickly and effectively.

The Advantages of Doing Catfish Business Than Other Types of Fish

Compared to other types of fish, catfish provide many advantages for their owners.

1. Adaptable Fish

Catfish is a type of fish that is easy to adapt to the surrounding environmental conditions. It is for this reason why many catfish businessmen are no longer confused when making a pond and maintaining the condition of the water in it.

2. Have a Strong Endurance

The second advantage of catfish farming is that it has a strong immune system and is not susceptible to disease. As a result, the risk of catfish crop failure due to death from disease is smaller.

3. Easy to Find

Not only that, quality catfish seeds are also easier to find and are widely sold in the market. The price is also more affordable with a fairly high selling price. So, the benefits that can be obtained will be maximized.

Common Difficulties for Catfish Farmers

Although it has many advantages compared to other types of fish farming, there are several things that breeders must watch out for, namely:

1. Increase in Fish Feed Costs

The cost of fish feed needs that can rise at any time. If the operational costs of the business go up, it is certain that the profit that will be obtained later will also decrease.

2. Threats of Pests and Diseases from the Surrounding Environment

Catfish do have a strong immune system, however, that doesn't mean they can't be affected by pests and diseases. Generally, catfish are hunted by birds and frogs around the pond. The presence of leeches, worms, and insects can also be a disaster for catfish cultivators. 

Viruses, fungi, and bacteria can also make catfish growth not optimal, or even crop failure. For this reason, so that this does not happen, try to always monitor the condition of the pool water and the surrounding environment.

Small Capital, Big Profit, Easy Process? Catfish Only

As previously explained, to start a catfish business, you only need to prepare a capital of around 2 million. With this capital, you can get as many as 2000 catfish which can reach 500 kg when harvested. 

With a selling price of 10 thousand rupiah per kilo, the turnover that can be obtained is 5 million rupiah. So, with more than double the profits, there's no longer any reason to delay. Don't forget to pay attention to how to cultivate catfish so that your business continues to grow.