IMPORTANT METHODS WHEN STARTING FISH FARMING
- The breeder must have a true passion and commitment to animal husbandry.
- Conduct an assessment of the resources available to him for the fish farming project.
- A sustainable source of capital for the project.
- A trait of patience and courage.
- Market assessment of fish products.
- to acquire basic knowledge of fish farming
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FISH FARMING AREA
- The fish farming area should have sufficient water throughout the year.
- The fish farming area should have soil that can drain water.
- A good place to raise fish is one that has no history of flooding, as if flooding occurs, the fish in the pond will be washed away and the pond will be covered with soil.
- A good place to raise fish is one that is easily accessible.
- The fish farming area should also be a peaceful and quiet area with friendly people.
- Having a product market.
- have secure land ownership.
FISH POND MAINTENANCE
There are various ways to build a fish pond, depending on the type of pond itself, the economic situation, the number of fish to be raised, and the type of fish to be raised.
The following are the types of fish ponds.
1. An earthen pond without building an “Earthen Pond”
PREPARATION AND TRANSFER OF FISH FRIED OR FISH SEED IN YOUR POND
Before transporting the chicks from their pond, it is best to remove them and place them in small ponds for between 24 and 72 hours (depending on the distance of the journey) without food.
- When transplanting, the farmer should not pour the chicks into the pond when he arrives but should allow the water carrying the chicks to exchange heat with the water that will receive the chicks. Here, the farmer should place the container or vessel in which he carried the chicks to float in the water he wants to raise for a period of between 30 and 35 minutes, after which the vessel containing the chicks should be opened and tilted so that the water can meet that prepared for raising and then he will allow the chicks to enter the relevant pond on their own.
- If you arrive and dump the chicks into a new pond without following this professional procedure, then the difference in water temperature between the container in which the chicks were transported and the pond can cause all the chicks to die in a short time. Experts say that the deaths of the chicks are caused by heat shock.
- Another thing to consider is that the preparation and transportation of the fry is best done during cooler weather. The best time recommended by experts is in the morning or evening because at that time the fish are able to withstand the rigors of travel unlike when the weather is hot.
FISH FARMING DURING LIGHT AND DRY SEASONS
Basically, there are no major differences or major impacts of fish farming during the dry season compared to the wet season. The differences that exist are minor and technically do not have major consequences for the farmer.
- fish food intake and growth
- pollution of water entering fish ponds
FEEDING AND CARE OF FISH IN THE POND
- Fish should be fed at least 2 times a day (3-4 am and 9-10 pm) / with adequate air.
- Feed them different foods depending on the temperament of the type of fish you are raising.
- There are fish that benefit from meaty foods such as catfish and perch (these do not eat bran) and there are other fish like sato that eat a mixture of meat and vegetables and there are others that eat only plant-based foods ( carps).
FISH EATING HABITS
- Carnivorous fish, (perch and catfish).
- Carps are herbivorous fish .
- Mixed-food fish (meat and plants) such as perege, sato and mwatiko (saltwater fish).
GUIDE TO REQUIREMENTS FOR FISH FEEDERS
Mine 20-25%
10-15% oil
Vitamin 1-2%
Minerals 1-2%
Protein 18-45%
NB ; Water – it should be noted here that while we are talking about the water levels required for other farmed animals, the water requirement for fish is the quality of the water they are kept in and not its quantity.
FISH FEEDING PROCEDURES
FISH MARKETS
- Primary market , this is a direct market from the seller who is a farmer to the consumer,
- Intermediate market , in this market there is usually a middleman who buys fish from the farmer with the aim of selling it to consumers.
- International market , this is a market that takes place abroad (between one country and another).
