Catfish Cultivation, Practical and Profitable
Catfish is a type of freshwater consumption fish that is very popular in Indonesia. This fish belongs to the group of whiskered fish that are easy to cultivate in various types of ponds. Examples include irrigation ponds, rainfed ponds, and non-tidal marsh ponds. Later it was developed for tarpaulin ponds and wall ponds. Catfish farming developed in Indonesia is a type of Siamese catfish or also called Pangasius Hipophthalamus.
If you have ever farmed catfish, then you will not have any difficulty in farming this catfish. What makes catfish more profitable is the better selling value of catfish. This catfish has a long, whitish silver body posture. On the back of the fish, the bluish color is quite dark. The length of this fish can reach 1.2m, it is one of the freshwater fish with a large posture.
However, to reach the maximum length will take a long time, until the economic value of the fish will be lost. The ideal age of catfish for the Indonesian market is around 4 to 5 months with a weight of around 500 grams to 1 kg per head.
Patin fish has tasty and savory meat that can be processed into various types of dishes such as fried, stewed, and the most famous sour and sour. Wherever you go, various restaurants always provide processed catfish, so it can be guessed that the demand for this type of catfish is quite high. This can be a promising business opportunity.
Also read: How to cultivate betta fish with a tarpaulin pond
Interested in keeping catfish? the following are the steps to keep catfish to grow quickly and harvest:
Prepare and clean the pond that will be used to keep the fish
The first thing to do is to prepare the pond as a place to keep fish. This is not difficult because catfish can live in various types of places. It can be a ground pool, a tarp pool, a wall pool, or a cage. If you are using an old pond then first clean the pond from dirt so that when it is filled with fish seeds it is in clean condition. If you are more interested in using an earthen pool then choose a type of clay or loam so that it does not leak and can withstand the mass of water. Ponds should be made on sloping ground to make it easier to irrigate. If you prefer to use floating net media to breed catfish, it is best to do it in a river with a slow current.
Use good quality water to fill the pool
To fill the pool, use clean and quality water, not cloudy, and not contaminated by waste and harmful chemicals. You can add emolin or blitzich to the pond to inhibit the growth of fungi. Also pay attention to the temperature and pH of the water. For water temperature it is recommended in the range of 26-28 degrees Celsius. If the water temperature is too low, it is best to use a heater until the water reaches the ideal temperature stably. While the recommended pH of water to keep catfish is 6.5 to 7, not too acidic and not too alkaline.
Fertilize before the catfish seeds are spread
If you use a mud pond to keep catfish, then before the seeds are spread, the pond should be fertilized first. This aims to stimulate the growth of natural food for catfish so that it can increase the productivity of the pond. You can use green manure or manure with a dose of 50 grams - 700 grams per square meter.
Spread catfish seeds accurately and evenly
As a fish farmer you certainly expect a big profit every time you harvest. But that doesn't mean you can fill the pond with fish seeds without calculation. Do not spread too many seeds past their maximum capacity because it will cause the fish to be too close together so that they cannot live and grow well. For 1 m3 of water enough to stock 20-30 fish.
Give quality feed
The provision of quality feed determines the growth of the fish so that it can grow to its maximum size. The type of feed that is commonly given to catfish is pellets that can easily be found in the market. You can also give him natural food so that he does not feel bored and to save maintenance costs. In addition, these natural foods usually have a high protein content that is good for fish growth. Examples of natural food that can be given to catfish are leftover fish, golden snails, clams, snails, and so on.
Feed accurately and in a balanced way
Fish feed should also be given accurately and balanced according to the needs of the fish. Don't want the fish to grow so fast that you overfeed them. How to know how much a fish needs? We can determine it from the weight of the fish. Ideally, the amount of feed for catfish weighing under 200 grams per head is 3% - 5% of the total weight of the fish in the pond and is given twice a day in the morning and afternoon. Meanwhile, catfish weighing over 200 grams per head can be fed with a percentage of 1.5% - 2% of the total weight of the fish in the pond and given once a day in the afternoon.
Feed regularly and on time
Routine and timely feeding must be done so that the fish can grow as large and healthy as possible. If feeding is always done at a time that never changes, it allows mapu fish to adapt to the feeding schedule given by their employer.
Clean the pool regularly
Just like cages for other animals, ponds as a place for fish to live should also be cleaned routinely by changing the water. With clean ponds and water, fish will grow healthy and avoid various diseases. A good and proper cleaning of the pond should be done at least once a week so that the fish still feel fresh in their habitat.
Install lighting around the pool
The purpose of this explanation is to prevent various pests such as turtles, water snakes, lingsang, lizards, and birds from entering the pond and attacking catfish. The presence of lighting around the pond makes it easier for catfish to be aware of pests around them.
Condition the pool to be calm and avoid noise
Catfish is a type of fish that panics easily. Being surprised or making a little noise can make this fish immediately panic, which is not good for its development. For that avoid it from surprises and it is best to find the location of the pool in a quiet place and away from noise.
Know pests and diseases that can attack fish and how to deal with them
This is important to do so that you can do prevention so that the fish can grow healthy and avoid various diseases. Even if it is already infected with a disease, proper handling can be done so that the fish can be healthy again.
Harvest the right way
Harvest time is the time that all farmers are waiting for. In harvesting catfish it is necessary to observe whether all the fish are ready to be harvested or not. If the weight of the fish in one pond varies, then you must do selective harvesting, that is, by netting only the fish that are suitable for harvesting. Meanwhile, if all the fish in the pond are ready to harvest, then you just harvest them all at once without having to do selection. You should also harvest carefully so that fish that have been kept for a long time do not experience defects, damage, or even die due to wrong harvesting methods. Catfish that are still alive are preferred by consumers, thus increasing their selling value.
Be careful when catching or holding it
Be careful when weighing or harvesting fish that require you to hold them directly because the fins are sharp enough to hurt your hands. Even a tarpaulin pool can leak due to being hit by the valve.
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