Catfish farming in Ghana is booming. Catfish consumption in Ghana is now a luxury with the popular term “Point and Kill”. Catfish grills are found in the courtyards of many restaurants.
Catfish farming in Ghana has a lot of potential compared to other livestock farming in the country. In 2021, Ghana produced around 20,660 metric tons of catfish to meet the demand for protein food in the country.
What is Catfish?
Catfish are a diverse group of ray-finned fish named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat’s whiskers. They are a popular food source in many parts of the world and come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes.
Catfish farming in Ghana
Is catfish farming in Ghana lucrative?
Yes, the catfish farming business in Ghana is lucrative. You can earn a decent income from catfish farming. This is not a simple task as you see in videos by content creators describing how much people are earning from raising catfish.
It takes time and commitment, good feeding practice, accurate catfish stocking capacity, good water management, and patience.
Catfish farming profit
Catfish farming profit is 200%. The current market price per kilo of catfish in Ghana is GHS 31.00.
Catfish farming for beginners
Catfish farming requires a pond setup where the fish will dwell and survive until the maturity stage for harvesting. Catfish ponds come in different varieties including
Types of Catfish Ponds
1. Plastic tank Fish Pond:
These plastic tanks allow you to breed fish anywhere. They come in different sizes with pipes to pump water in and out. You can use them to raise fingerlings before moving them to bigger ponds.
Why Start With Tanks?
- Take them anywhere – even indoors!
- Easily move them around
- Safely raise fingerlings
- Environment friendly
- Learn the basics of fish farming
With just a simple plastic tank set-up, you’ll be on your way to managing your sustainable catfish farm and supplying food for your community.
2. Tarpaulin Fish Pond:
What is a Tarpaulin Pond? Tarpaulin ponds are structures made using wooden or metal frames wrapped in a waterproof tarpaulin material. Water flows through continuously. Experts can customize sizes and shapes based on the space you have.
Why Choose a Tarpaulin Pond?
- Easier to clean and manage
- Saves water
- Mobile – move it around your backyard
Tarpaulin ponds are great for raising fish from fingerlings to adults. And because you can pack it up and transport it, you can take your fish farm anywhere.
Getting Started with Your Tarpualin Pond:
First, work with a fabricator to design the right size and shape for your space. Make sure to include:
- Water pump system
- Aeration system
- Plants and shelters for healthy fish
Then test out raising different fish to find your favorites. Set up near a freshwater source, and watch your fish farm thrive in the new environment.
3. Earthen Fish Pond:
What is an Earthen Pond? Earthen ponds are dug into areas with lots of clay soil and underground water flow. This swampy setting forms the ideal fish habitat! The pond is about 5 feet deep with walls sloping inward.
Why Choose Earthen?
- Just like a natural fish home
- Healthier fish growth
- Cheap to build and take care of
- Controls waste naturally
- Easy water flow management
Getting Your Pond Ready
First test your soil to see if it will hold water. Dig out an area 1.5 meters deep using shovels or excavators. Build up sloped walls around it to prevent flooding. Add water pumps, plants for oxygen, and shelters for your catfishes.
Earthen fish pond disadvantages to watch out for:
- Flooding
- Predators like birds
- Difficulty raising baby fish
4. Concrete Fish Pond:
Concrete ponds are made from, well, concrete. They need to be constructed by professionals to avoid leaks or collapses. Water flows in from pipes at the top and drains out the bottom.
- Why Choose Concrete?
- Nearly indestructible when properly built
- Perfect for large or small-scale farms
- Great habitat for fish fry to fully grown
- Building Your Concrete Pond
First design the right size and depth for your needs. After construction, let the concrete cure completely before filling it with water. This prevents excess cement from polluting your pond. Then add pumps, filters, and aerators.
How long does catfish take to grow?
How long it takes for catfish to grow depends on the space you provide for them. When a catfish pond is overstocked, the growth rate of your catfish will be very slow.
How long does it take for catfish to fully mature?
It takes between 4 to 6 months for catfish to fully mature for some species. If you reach the market size, keeping them further brings extra cost of production.
How many times should I feed my catfish daily?
Most farmers feed their catfish twice daily. Early morning and afternoon. The second feeding is mostly based on when the farmer observes the “call feeding” sign in the pond.
When starting catfish farming in Ghana, you need to understand the basics we’ve discussed in this article. I recommend you find a catfish farmer in your locality to give you the needed help.
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