Aquaculture catfish are a very popular source of protein as well as a healthy and delicious source of seafood in the United States. Catfish farming is an easy and flexible agriculture based business that can also be profitable. Farming catfish can be done anywhere if you have a suitable place and you can either take care of the protein needs of your own family or sell it to make more profit. There are many species of catfish available in the market. The type of catfish you want to grow depends on what your target market is, what your feeding plans are, and what size pond and area you are thinking about setting up your farm on.
Most species of catfish are resilient and prolific fresh water fish. You can grow them easily and harvest them quickly with little effort in a small or large pond. A suitable fish ponds size can be from 0.25 acres to larger ones with an area of 20 acres of farmland. All you need is a 5 gallon bucket and a pickup truck to start farming.
Starting a catfish farm
The first step to starting a catfish farm is to decide what species of catfish you want to grow. It will depend on the size of your pond, operation of your farm, and the target market. If you want to start a large catfish farm, you must have a large amount of capital. A commercial catfish farm will require 80-100 acres of land and about quarter of a million dollars to successfully run a commercial catfish farm. However, a small farm will need fewer amounts of land and smaller capital. If you want to start small, you might begin with a small pond or you can start from a pond that you already have. A larger pond will yield more profit per pond and can grow larger fish, thereby making the expenses less per pound of fish. Larger farms can buy supplies in bulk which saves on overhead costs.
You will also need an aerator. An electric aerator is fine if you have electricity available, but if electricity is not available at your farm location, think about alternative sources of energy such as gas or diesel run aerators. If you have a large pond already of about 0.25 acres, you can use that as your startup pond. You will have to make some modifications to it. A catfish pond must have smooth bottom, be clean and have a gradual slope.
Catfish ponds must have 20%-30% clay in the soil by weight to minimize seepage. You should allow excessive water to drain out of the pond. Make sure that your spillways allow 1-2 inches of water to run off at a time. Your pond depth should be 3 feet at the shallow end and 8 feet at the deep end. Too shallow of a pond may encourage weed growth.
Marketing plan
To start your marketing plan, determine what type of catfish you will focus on. If you plan to have a large catfish farm, try selling your fish to fish processing plants. Many farmers are able to buy shares of the fish processing plants to which they sell their fish. Your profit per pound might be smaller but you will make up the money through volume.
If you decide to keep your catfish operation smaller, try targeting direct local customers in your area. Start with your relatives, friends and family. Many customers are interested in buying fresh fish directly from the farm instead of buying frozen and packaged fish.
Prepare a business plan
Make sure to construct a detailed feasibility report of your farm, where you will have details about your capital, expenses, and profit. Your feasibility report should include all essential items needed for your catfish farm operation and production annually, such as work force, feed, fuel, equipment, supplies, overheads, utilities, repairs and emergency funds. You will need a business plan if you want to secure financing for your business from a lender. You may also have to pay expenses such as interests on your mortgage, loans, and insurance and finance charges if you already have a loan or mortgage on your property or secured financing for your business. Make sure to include an estimate of costs of additional pumps, building construction, vehicles, feed bins and tractors.
Legal documents
Research on what permits and licensing you will need to start your business as a catfish farmer. Talk to other fish farmers in your area. Hire a consultant to help you with your paperwork or permits. A business consultant can often make things easier for you in exchange for a small fee. Make sure you meet all the state requirements regarding drainage, building, retail, tax, and other types of permits that they may need.
Health and environmental concerns
Keep your fish healthy, make a point to detect early signs of diseases, and take the necessary actions to prevent them. Follow safety guidelines and medication regulations for your fish farm. Know what chemicals are safe to use and how to treat diseases and the water in an eco-friendly manner to treat diseases and pests. Several chemicals such as copper sulfate, formalin, hydrogen peroxide, and povidone iodine are FDA approved and are safe to use in your pond for treating catfish diseases.
Want more tips on business? Download our free eBook and unleash your entrepreneurial powers.
Source: WorldWide Aquaculture
a fantastic summary. but do you undertake further workshops or short term crash programs on fish farming? if so I will be interested. I am resident in Abuja where I work.
Hi Jeo, thanks for your comment. Please call our office 303-495-3705. We offer several learning and training opportunities.
In regards to the learning & training.
Plswhere is our office situated.
Thanks for reaching out to us. To learn the most about how to be successful with profitable sustainable aquaculture, visit us at ceed.mykajabi.com and sign up for our Ecological Aquaculture series being taught by Dr. Wayne Dorband! Live webinars happen every week with replys available through membership. We’d love to see you there. Also, you can sign up for free with aquaculture.smartmember.com for more great content surrounding sustainable backyard aquaculture!
Finally if you are very serious and want to get immediate help and consultation you can schedule a FREE call with us for a 30 min. consultation. This can be by skype if you are not in North America, or phone. You can schedule a time with us at http://www.talkwithwayne.com.
-The WWA Team
Thanks very much for your willingness to assist. Am not in America but in Nigeria. I wish to download this Ebook for starting a catfish business. I have no website now.
Have you been seeking for the opportunity to know more about catfish farming or you Are planning on setting up your own fish farm? We Are here to out you tru the A-Z of Catfish Farming. we will be willing to help you any day, any time, any where
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Just want to get into
Hello Jonah, it’s with much pleasure that I got to know that you want to help anyone interested to get started in fish farming, especially, catfish. I need your support. I’m in Ghana, and want to start. Any materials in PDF will be appreciated. My e-mail is:24caratnick@gmail.com……thanks in advance.
We are a real estate investment company that is considering purchasing a property that is partially set up for a big cat fishing farm system. If we purchase the property, we might be interested in renting out the facility to a Catfish farmer. Do you know of any contact or resource to get into contact with potential business partners/renters? Thank you in advance.
Any particular country you are looking at? I m in the northern part of Namibia.
If interested to do the catfish farming together, please reply.
I m merely looking for investors,,
Thanks for the tips.
am in uganda how can you help me get market for my cat fish?
There’s a professional fish farm consultant company “Alphalapia” that specialises on African Fish Farming projects. You should look at his material on catfish and perhaps hire his consulting services.
https://www.alphalapia.com/catfish-farming
Come to Nigeria
Please, I am from Liberia there is no commocial catfish farming, I want to start at small. I need more tips. Thanks
I can train you on it (Catfish) hatchery or grow out depending on ur choice
Hello I’m Evans and I want to know if u could help me on the hatchery. I am a student in Ghana and am interested in starting my own catfish hatchery. Thank you.
pls call me 0244115552
I need to learn give me your contact
Agu, have my compliments. Am a Ghanaian and can you please help me with cat fish hatchery and grow out program? Happy to hear from you.
Hi, i need to be trained. Where are you and how much will it cost me.
In fact am very interested in the business but how to Start is what am thinking about, but getting you has put me on the way ,thank you
Like to have more tips
Keep reading our blogs, you will find more details about fish farming.
please i will be needing guids on catfish production,
will really want to go into it.
Hi,
Thanks for your query. Please call our office at
303-495-3705 for guidance.
Thanks.
I was looking evrwerheye and this popped up like nothing!
great
you want to learn contact me on 08138570184. agu emeka
More light on fish farming,I’m a beginer
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You got that right hu
I have interest in starting a catfish farming for business in the North East of England. I would like to be better informed. Thanks
Hi Yomi,
I’ve notified my team. Someone will get in touch with you shortly.
Please am also interested in catfish farming I need someone to guide me on how to start here in Abakaliki
i am currently a two hundred level student of FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY MINNA,so i decided to use this quarantine period to get more information on how to rear a catfish specie, please can i get help
I have interest in going into fish farming business in Abuja, Nigeria. I will appreciate if i can get more details on it.
Regards
Hi Tony O,
We’ll contact you soon regarding your fish farming business.
That’s a posting full of inshigt!
Thanks for the kind words
Posts like this britghen up my day. Thanks for taking the time.
Thanks for the kind words
could you pleas give us the best types of feeds that can be used to minimise losses..
Would you be interested in counseling?
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO BE MY GUIDE ON FISH FARMING BUSINESS. LOCATION IS NIGERIA, WEST AFRICA
HI D GOLD,
Thanks for reaching out to us. We’ll contact you soon.
For a bankable and competitive business plan on Fish Production, processing and marketing, and on other businesses, contact us on 08139212737.
Thanks for the info
Great post, keep it up.
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To make a lot of profit in your Catfish farming business, you need to cut the cost of feeding your fishes and Catfish grown at high densities requires a nutritionally complete feed to produce good growth and maintain good health. I’m a local manufacturer and distributor of high quality Catfish Feed in Nigeria. I distribute to all parts of the country to Sub-distributors, Wholesalers, Retailers and End-users. To place order Contact_ 07035907330. ADDRESS: Plot 15, Block XII, Industrial Estate, Off Idiroko Road , Ota , Ogun.
I own a big Catfish farm myself at KM 5, Idiroko Road, Ota, Ogun State.. so my floating and sinking pellets are properly prepared with a 48%(CP) percent crude protein good and well balance fish feed formulation. We supply Nationwide to your farm or doorstep at an affordable price of NGN 2,500 per 15kg bag including transportation. Contact _07035907330
The ingredients required to manufacture high quality feed are readily available here in Nigeria hence my Catfish feed has a high quality energy source required for growth and maintenance of body tissue resulting in improved weight gains because it is fortified with balanced vitamins, minerals and amino acids plus Stabilized Vitamin C required for better metabolism, skeletal formation, nerves, body fluid regulation and enzymes to yield maximum productivity.
Thanks for the info
My name is Martins and I have for sell feed for fish farming, if interest you contact me by whatsapp: +351967755373
Thanks. I will call you. Live in Abuja
I am interested in setting up a catfish operation large enough to provide protein for a family of two adults and 1 teen. How many fish and how large a pond would be needed? Could a 5′ deep above-ground pool with dimensions 13′ x 21′ be used ?
Thanks for reaching out. We’re more than happy to help. To get the most educational content on sustainable aquaculture, sign up with us and our partners at the Ecolonomic Action Team (EAT) at ceed.mykajabi.com! Dr. Wayne Dorband shares his expertise with weekly lectures on varifying topics aquaculture growers face in business. We have free courses for a limited time as well as paid courses available, streaming live webinars every week! Also, you can sign up at aquaculture.smartmember.com for more free content surrounding sustainable aquaculture!!
Finally if you are very serious and want to get immediate help and consultation you can schedule a FREE call with us for a 30 min. consultation. This can be by skype if you are not in North America, or phone. You can schedule a time with us at http://www.talkwithwayne.com.
-The WWA Team
hello,i want to start fish farming on my land in nigeria please i need a guide or business plan to start please. you can reach me on +2348037963668. thanks
Thanks for reaching out. We’re more than happy to help. To get the most educational content on sustainable aquaculture, sign up with us and our partners at the Ecolonomic Action Team (EAT) at ceed.mykajabi.com! Dr. Wayne Dorband shares his expertise with weekly lectures on varifying topics aquaculture growers face in business. We have free courses for a limited time as well as paid courses available, streaming live webinars every week! Also, you can sign up at aquaculture.smartmember.com for more free content surrounding sustainable aquaculture!!
Finally if you are very serious and want to get immediate help and consultation you can schedule a FREE call with us for a 30 min. consultation. This can be by skype if you are not in North America, or phone. You can schedule a time with us at http://www.talkwithwayne.com.
-The WWA Team
Please i have a earthern pond of 7ft square and 4ft down and a concrete pond of 7ft/13ft and 5ft down. Please how many catfish will u recomend for both ponds each. Thanks
Thanks for reaching out to us. To learn the most about how to be successful with profitable sustainable aquaculture, visit us at ceed.mykajabi.com and sign up for our Ecological Aquaculture series being taught by Dr. Wayne Dorband! Live webinars happen every week with replys available through membership. We’d love to see you there. Also, you can sign up for free with aquaculture.smartmember.com for more great content surrounding sustainable backyard aquaculture!
Finally if you are very serious and want to get immediate help and consultation you can schedule a FREE call with us for a 30 min. consultation. This can be by skype if you are not in North America, or phone. You can schedule a time with us at http://www.talkwithwayne.com.
-The WWA Team
I want know how to hatch the catfish
Thanks for your comment! I can tell you are dedicated to aquaculture. I’m not the expert, but will pass your question along to Dr. Wayne Dorband. We have a very cool program that is free right now called the Ecolonomic Action Team (EAT) where we teach people how to “Make Money Making the Planet Better”. You can join that coaching/teaching/mentoring/networking program by going to ceed.mykajabi.com.
This is a lovely info! I’m a serving corps member, Lagos state wanting to go into fishing business. would like to get better understing. thanks
Thanks for reaching out. We’re more than happy to help. To get the most educational content on sustainable aquaculture, sign up with us and our partners at the Ecolonomic Action Team (EAT) at ceed.mykajabi.com! Dr. Wayne Dorband shares his expertise with weekly lectures on varifying topics aquaculture growers face in business. We have free courses for a limited time as well as paid courses available, streaming live webinars every week! Also, you can sign up at aquaculture.smartmember.com for more free content surrounding sustainable aquaculture!!
Finally if you are very serious and want to get immediate help and consultation you can schedule a FREE call with us for a 30 min. consultation. This can be by skype if you are not in North America, or phone. You can schedule a time with us at http://www.talkwithwayne.com.
-The WWA Team
i would like to get information on how to get few fingerlings of cat fish
Hello Ambrose,
Thanks for reaching out. We’re more than happy to help. To get the most educational content on sustainable aquaculture, sign up with us and our partners at the Ecolonomic Action Team (EAT) at ceed.mykajabi.com! We have free courses for a limited time as well as paid courses available, streaming live webinars every week!
-The WWA Team
Hi, I’m in the process of starting a catfish farm in central Uganda, but focused on finding the market in Europe. How can you be of help? Thanks.
Allan,
We certainly can help you with your aquaculture consulting needs. Here are several things we can do for you. First, we are going to make you a FREE member of our site where we teach courses and have live webinars about all kinds of aquaculture and agriculture. That site is called http://www.eatcommunity.com and you will get an email with login instructions.
Second, one of our staff will contact you and see about scheduling a brief FREE call or skype (for outside US) conversation. He will coordinate the timing for us.
Finally, on the http://www.eatcommunity.com site there is a questionnaire you should fill out to tell us a little about your aquaculture interests and needs. Please fill that out.
Areeb
Hi
I have started my small catfish farm in dar es salaam Tanzania, I m looking forward to expand and have a bigger farm deending on the demand, how can I get your assistance and consultation?
Fredrick,
We certainly can help you with your aquaculture consulting needs. Here are several things we can do for you. First, we are going to make you a FREE member of our site where we teach courses and have live webinars about all kinds of aquaculture and agriculture. That site is called http://www.eatcommunity.com and you will get an email with login instructions.
Second, one of our staff will contact you and see about scheduling a brief FREE call or skype (for outside US) conversation. He will coordinate the timing for us.
Finally, on the http://www.eatcommunity.com site there is a questionaire you should fill out to tell us a little about your aquaculture interests and needs. Please fill that out.
Wayne
Can I get to know various species of catfish
Can u help in anyway with catfish exportation?Or is there any organization or individual u can get one connected with.
Adegboye,
We certainly can help you with your aquaculture consulting needs. Here are several things we can do for you. First, we are going to make you a FREE member of our site where we teach courses and have live webinars about all kinds of aquaculture and agriculture. That site is called http://www.eatcommunity.com and you will get an email with login instructions.
Second, one of our staff will contact you and see about scheduling a brief FREE call or skype (for outside US) conversation. He will coordinate the timing for us.
Finally, on the http://www.eatcommunity.com site there is a questionnaire you should fill out to tell us a little about your aquaculture interests and needs. Please fill that out.
Areeb
Hello from SC/NC America
I intend to start fish farming on my rural land. Do you know of any solar programs that aid in aquaculture programs.
Thanks for the post. we have a small fish farm. But we want to be proficient in catfish hatching and farming We are also interested in exporting fish outside the country. Can you help us with these.
Onyeka
Yes
Very good work. Pls I would like to know how many Catfish can I grow per square meter?
Very good work. Pls how many Carfish can I grow per square meter?
I am really interested in your subject,i stay in Port harcourt,how do I get your training
I just want to begin fish farming so I need your email address in case of any questions
I need comprehensive details on catfish farming, and the list of all the equipment’s needed for the fish farming please sir
I am a catfish farmer in ghana and I am exploring for market opportunities for my fish.
I would like more detailed info. I want to begin this spring. I have to land. Please share videos, websites or manuals you have. Is their someone I can talk to.
There is fish farm consultant company “Alphalapia” that specialises on African Fish Farming projects. You could look at his material on catfish and perhaps hire his consulting services.
https://www.alphalapia.com/catfish-farming
I’d like to start a catfish business in my area and I’d like to know how to go about the fish sizes,treatment etc. In Lagos ,Nigeria
I think that is one of the so much important information for me.
And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna commentary on few common things, The site taste is perfect, the articles is
really nice : D. Excellent job, cheers
Good time of day. Pay attention to the information below. Maybe we could be helpful to each other. If you have clients in Europe, we would be glad to cooperate with you on favorable terms.
I apologize for your English. I am a producer of fry catfish Soma in Ukraine. Our Malek is the best quality in our country. In two years of work we have helped to start the business of growing fish more than 300 farms. Also advised Israeli investors in the Congo. Businessmen from China come to our consultation. This year we plan to open a workshop on growing fry catfish Soma in Poland. The specially equipped car is ready to deliver it all over Europe. Planned price fry weight 0.5 grams-€0.1 We are able to produce 4 million fry a month. We also have great success in growing the Rosenberg shrimp.
ok, thank you.
How to Enlarge The Catfish in The Pond?
Here are the steps that you shall know to enlarge the catfish in the pond
https://fish-hobbyist.com/How-to-Enlarge-The-Catfish-in-The-Pond/
i want to lean so please i need how to download your books
Very good but I need more detail about catfish farm
Hello all, here every person is sharing such familiarity,
thus it’s good to read this blog, and I used to pay
a visit this web site daily.
Hey My name is Michelle. My Husband and I want to learn more about owning and running a catfish farm. There’s a catfish farm near us in GA that we would like to buy so I would like information on what it takes to be profitable and if there any grants or funding or places out there that would help us with financing or funding and so places that we could get training.
Thank you for your help,
Michelle
Thanks for any other wonderful article. Where else may just anybody get that type of info in such an ideal means of writing?
I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m at the look for such
info.
This is awesome
really need help going into the business
Hi am interested in starting catfish business and I needed your help
Thanks for the information.
I like this business
I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
I’ll bookmark your blog and check again right here frequently.
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Good morning sir,I want to start a poultry business, what are the steps to take, thanks
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