The Care & Feeding of Pond Catfish
Some people have koi ponds, others have catfish ponds. One of the advantages to a catfish pond is that the residents can be eaten once they reach the appropriate size, making them much more than a decorative addition. Caring for pond catfish requires some specific know-how. Does this Spark an idea?
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Raising Catfish
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The method of raising catfish depends on the pond. There are two different ways to raise catfish. In the open-water method, the fish have free run of the pond; therefore, this is only advisable if the catfish are the only fish in the pond. In cage culture, the fish are kept confined and must be fed regularly, as they do not have access to their natural food sources.
Accommodation Size
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Backyard ponds will hold much less than a commercial catfish farm. In an open-water setup, approximately one acre is needed to farm 300 pounds of catfish in one year. It is possible to generate up to 2,000 pounds of catfish per acre in cages; this number decreases as the size of the pond decreases.
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Pond Population
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Be wary of other fish consuming the food meant for the catfish. The number of catfish in the pond is significant; if the population gets too high, the fish will become susceptible to disease, parasites and even oxygen shortages. Before introducing a new batch of catfish, be sure to clear the water of any existing fish that may carry diseases or eat the food intended for the catfish.
Nutrients
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Catfish require a large number of nutrients to thrive. Providing the right type and quantity of nutrients is key, especially in smaller ponds. Catfish require 40 different nutrients: These are available in a number of commercial foods. Most foods contain a high percentage of starch from grain and grain byproducts, low levels of lipids, and approximately 25 percent carbohydrates.
Feeding and Water Quality
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Make sure feeding habits don't affect the water quality. There are no hard-and-fast guidelines for feeding catfish, though the recommendation is once per day, every day. Make sure there is no food left floating on the surface of the water. If there is, the fish are being fed too much. This leftover food can have a negative impact on the water quality.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit catfish image by pearlguy from Fotolia.com Catfish image by Pavol Kmeto from Fotolia.com pond image by Tomasz Kubis from Fotolia.com fish in a yellow pond image by Miguel Montero from Fotolia.com catfish minow image by sasha from Fotolia.com lillies in a pond image by Jorge Moro from Fotolia.com
