DIY Fish Farming
A unique way to provide businesses and yourself with fresh seafood is by starting a fish farm from your own backyard. Farming fish is an excellent way to earn a little extra money by doing something fun and relaxing. Not to mention, fish farming is a great alternative to planting crops for many up-and-coming farmers. Furthermore, growing fish in a contained location helps prevent contaminants found in public waterways. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Select a type of fish to raise in your farm. There are literally hundreds of types of fish, but only a few are popular for fish farming and in high demand at seafood restaurants. Catfish, salmon, tilapia, trout and bass are just a few of the options when it comes to fish selection. Farming multiple species of fish at one time is possible, but they must be compatible with one another or placed in separate holding areas to prevent biting.
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Select a tank or pond for the fish to be farmed in. The amount of fish you wish to raise depends on the size of the enclosure. If an in-ground pond is available, this will be the best option since it offers a large amount of food and a natural setting for the fish. If a pond is not an option, use a large steel tank that can hold up to 12,000 gallons of clean water. Make sure the tank is on a level surface. Multiple holding locations may be necessary for different types of fish or for large quantities.
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Add the fish to the pond or holding tank. There is not a set number of fish that should be added to a tank or pond, but there are some recommended guidelines to allow breathing room for the fish so they are somewhat comfortable (See Reference 1). Place the fish in the enclosure one at a time and make sure they properly adjust to the water temperature. If the temperature is not at 70 degrees, some of the fish will begin to die.
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Keep a record of all fish activity. Good record keeping includes the number of fish stocked in the enclosure, their average size and species name(s). Keep a note of any fish that die and when any tank or pond is restocked. Record when the fish are fed and how much food is given. Ideally, feed the fish twice a day, using about three cups of commercial feed.
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Watch for any problems in the tank or the pond holding area. Birds may prey on the fish stocked in the tanks. Place a scarecrow or an owl figurine next to the tank to deter the birds from eating your crop. Turtles may try to take over the pond by stealing food and taking up needed oxygen for the fish. Purchase a turtle trap or build a chain-link fence around the pond enclosure to help alleviate the problem.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit red fishes in water image by JoLin from Fotolia.com
