Cat Fish Farming
As the world's population explodes and the requirement for food increases, the industry of commercial fish farming is quickly becoming a very lucrative business. Commercial fish farming can be a very expensive, but profitable venture. Commercial fish farming can generate more profit per acre than farming corn or other crops. There are many things to consider when starting this type of operation.
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Start-up
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Start-up of a catfish farming operation can be a very expensive proposition. The availability of a suitable pond or lake is the first consideration of the operation. To build a man-made lake or pond is extremely expensive and may impact the long-term profitability of a commercial fisheries operation. There are also many legal considerations for this type of operation. State and federal laws vary greatly based on the state your operation is in or the type of fish that is farmed. Many states may require special permits and inspections before operations can begin.
Environment
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There are many environmental conditions to consider when catfish farming. Weather is the first consideration. Catfish tend to show the most growth potential in waters that range in temperatures between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to the milder year-round temperatures, southern states tend to offer the best weather conditions for commercial catfish farms. Water replenishment should also be considered when involved in commercial fish farming. There are three main sources of water replacement. They are all very effective but have potential hazards such as pollution, parasites and predatory species associated with them. The best source for water renewal is from a deep well that provides at least 13 gallons per minute of flow. Deep wells are free from these potential hazards and are typically inexpensive to access.
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Breeding
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Catfish will obviously breed on their own, but to start a good harvest catfish can be purchased commercially as small fingerlings. When purchasing a starter harvest, consideration should be given to the total acreage of the water source so that oxygen levels will remain acceptable to prevent a widespread fishkill. The initial population should be between 3,500 and 4,500 fish per acre of pond. The population of predatory fish species, if any, must also be eliminated to maximize fish stocks.
Feeding and Harvesting
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Commercially grown catfish are fed high protein pellets made from corn, wheat and soybeans and are supplemented with vitamins and minerals. These pellets provide farm-raised fish with all the nutrients they need to grow healthy and also affect the taste of the meat. Harvesting a crop of fish is relatively easy and is typically done using a haul net to minimize the amount of labor required. The harvested fish are placed into an aerated tank for transport to a local processing facility. The fish are kept alive up to the point of processing to maintain freshness and are flash frozen to maintain their flavor.
Warnings
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Commercial fish farming has many hazards involved with it. It is very labor intensive, but can also be very profitable if done correctly. Care must be taken to constantly monitor and correct any deficiencies in water quality, amount of feed and health of the fish. Proper fishery management is the key to running a profitable operation.
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