The Various Type Of Fish Farming In Nigeria

Different Type Of Fish Farming In Nigeria

Various Type Of Fish Farming In Nigeria

 

The Various Type Of Fish Farming In Nigeria

The most common fish species cultivated in Nigeria are Catfish, Salmon, Carp, and Tilapia

1) Catfish Farming in Nigeria

In case if you miss this: Cattle Feed Business Plan.

Because of the popularity of the fish breed, catfish farming is the most popular aquaculture business in Nigeria. Catfishes are the most common fishery products used in African meals at several households, restaurants, events, hotels, and a lot more. Their ease of cultivation and demand makes most aquaculture farmers focus on growing catfishes instead of other fish breeds. It can be reared mainly on a small or large scale. Catfish farming involves creating ponds, breeding fingerlings, or juvenile to maturation stage. Therefore, people naturally flow in the direction of fish species they found to be the easiest to cultivate.

2) Tilapia Farming in Nigeria

This fish farming business is run with freshwater fishes inhabiting shallow streams, ponds, rivers, and lakes. They’re of increasing importance in aquaculture systems all over the world. The fact that these fishes grow rapidly and then tolerate high stocking densities and poor water quality, makes them a lucrative breed for fish farmers to grow. Tilapia is one of the common fish types cultivated in Nigeria. It is a warm-water fish, with a rapid growth rate and comes in larger sizes compared to other types of fishes. Tilapia fishes grow in a freshwater environment like streams, ponds, lakes but mostly not in brackish water. Tilapia is easy to cultivate and very popular in the Nigerian market, it reproduces very rapidly and grows fast too.

You may also check this: Question About Biofloc Fish Farming.

3) Salmon (Mackerel) Farming in Nigeria

Usually, Salmons are freshwater fishes that migrate to the ocean and return to freshwaters to reproduce. While they are harvested in the wild, they are also grown in fish farms. Salmon fishes account for a high percentage of fishery products consumed in Nigeria. They are known as “Titus” in Nigeria and are purchased by millions of households daily.

Catfish Breeding in Nigeria

For starting catfish farming in Nigeria, the first thing you have to get hold of is the fingerlings. The fingerling can be obtained through artificial propagation in the hatcheries through hormonal induction. If you intend to produce your own fertilized eggs, and you can make use of the homoplastic pituitary gland suspension.

In Nigeria, it is more affordable than the imported hormonal analogues. Also, fish farmers say that they are more reliable. But despite the beauty of induced spawning, there are challenges which you must face are both biotic and abiotic challenges. Then, these problems all have their root in the extra care needed to be given to the fry during the first week of life. In this regard, you have to battle with the provision of zooplankton which serves as feeds for the larvae, fry, and fingerlings thus playing the main role in their growth and survival.

There is also the problem of cannibalism, heavy predation by frogs or aquatic insects, and abiotic challenges such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen (>4.5mg/L-1), levels of ammonia. The broodstock to use for breeding must be between 0.3kg and 2kg.

In Nigeria, Catfish feed can either be imported or locally produced. The fish feed contains nutrients like protein, minerals, carbohydrates, fat and oil, vitamins, and water. Fish feeds and feeding are so important that it takes about 60 to 70% of the total production cost, therefore, if we can handle our feeds and feeding well, surely going to break even and make a profit. Catfish like to eat early in the morning and evening. Do not feed them expired or mouldy feed.