Profitable Fish Farming

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Catfish Farming in Nigeria: Cost of Raising 1,000 Fishes and Making Profits

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On November 29, 2019

In Catfish Farming

  

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Catfish farming in Nigeria can be a bit challenging but it can also be very profitable if you know what you’re doing.

Many of my readers have asked questions on how much to spend on raising certain number of catfishes. These readers want a clear idea of what it takes to go about catfish farming in Nigeria, and this article is written with them in mind. With that said, I can only prepare a viability report on catfish farming based on today’s economic reality in Nigeria. However, I will make my format simple in such a way that you can make use of it once you have data on prevailing market situation on prices of inputs and outputs of catfish production.

The figures and facts used in this article might not represent the economic situation in the next three months. This is due to the fact that prices of goods and services are not stable as a result of uncontrolled rate of inflation, and it is important to keep this in mind to ensure the profitability of your catfish farming efforts in Nigeria.

A thousand pieces of juvenile will be a good figure to work with. Intending and existing farmers can decide on how to raise their fishes to table size of at least one kilogram (1kg). This can be achieved either by feeding your stock with floating all-through or a combination of both floating and sinking feed. Sinking feed can be either ready-made or self-formulated. I believe regular followers of this blog can now formulate to suit the need of their stock per time.

That said, it is important to note that this article is written based on the idea that you are interested in african catfish farming (or raising of Clarias gariepinus).

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Fish Farm in Present Day Nigeria?

Of course, if you want to start a profitable catfish farm one of the first things you want to know is the cost involved in setting up the farm.

Let’s set the ball rolling by listing some of the expenses that will be incurred before, during and at the end of the production process. These expenses are:

  1. Pond Rentage: There is a cost attached to whichever system you would like to use to raise your catfishes. Whether you own it outright or lease it, you must prepare your cost analysis with an acceptable rent value.
  2. Pond Preparation: This involves clearing of bushes, de-mudding, liming and other corrections that must be done on the pond e.g. piping, construction of erosion channels, etc. You can read more in my article on pond preparation.
  3. Netting: Setting of nets to prevent predator attack on your stock is an expense that must be included in your cost analysis table.Net your pond
  4. Procurement of Juveniles: Standard cost of juvenile is applicable here. Whether it is self-bred or bought from breeders, a juvenile must not cost more than N30.
  5. Feeds: This include cost of various sizes of conventional and non-conventional feeds.locally pelletized catfish feed
  6. Cost of Feeding: If the owner is not always available, the farm attendant must be paid either in cash or in kind. Please endeavor to add this cost on your production.
  7. Logistics Cost: This include all expenses on transportation of feed and manpower to the farm. It is better you carry your feed once in a month so as to reduce cost on logistics. However, it’s not always good to store your feed for too long a time. I will honestly recommend that you carry in feed once a week especially when you are dealing with local feed
  8. Security: Cost of securing your pond is real especially when your ponds are not always under your watch. It is better to rent a pond where many ponds are situated to reduce the cost on security.
  9. Routine Medication: This is optional, but you must prepare for the unexpected because it is possible you experience mortality in the cause of production. Read more in my article on cure for catfish mortality.
  10. Cost of Cropping: This is another cost that should be included in your cost analysis whether you do it yourself or hire an expert.

Cost Analysis Table (Alternative A)

Combination of floating and sinking feed.

Detail of Expenditure Cost Value (Naira)
Pond rentage for six months (for 1,000 juveniles) 15,000
Pond preparation (applicable to earthen pond only) 10,000
Netting (including workmanship) 5,000
Procurement of juveniles (N25 each; between 6 and 10 grams) 25,000
Feeds (floating; I recommend 100 grams per fish. That’s approximately seven bags at 7,000 each) 44,000
Local feed (1,700kg at N280 per kg). Note: At conversion ratio of 1.4:1. 392,000
Cost of feeding (assume N2,000 monthly for five months) 10,000
Cost of logistics (assume N2,000 monthly for five months) 10,000
Security (assume N1,000 monthly for five months) 5,000
Cost of Medication (optional) 2,000
Cost of Cropping 4,000
TOTAL 522,000

Cost Analysis Table (Alternative B)

Floating Feed Only

Detail of Expenditure Cost Value (Naira)
Pond rentage for six months (for 1,000 juveniles) 15,000
Pond preparation (applicable to earthen pond only) 10,000
Netting (including workmanship) 5,000
Procurement of juveniles (N25 each; between 6 and 10 grams) 25,000
Feeds (floating all-through; 74 bags at conversion ratio of 1.2:1kg. A bag will cost N6,000) 444,000
Cost of feeding (assume N2,000 monthly for five months) 10,000
Cost of logistics (assume N2,000 monthly for five months) 10,000
Security (assume N1,000 monthly for five months) 5,000
Cost of medication (optional) 2,000
Cost of Cropping 4,000
TOTAL 530,000

Sales Analysis Table

Quantity Harvested (expected) Value (Naira)
1,080kg of fish (At the current rate of N600 per kg) 648,000
Total 648,000

Net Profit = Total Value of Sales – Total Cost of Production

For Alternative A: Net Profit = 648,000 – 522,000 = 126,000

For Alternative B: Net Profit = 648,000 – 530,000 = 118,000

Conclusion

The higher the quantity of catfish stocked, the better the profit expected. However, I would like to suggest that new Nigerian catfish farmers should start with a maximum of 1,000 pieces of catfish and later increase the scale. This will enable them to learn the rudiments of catfish farming while gradually working towards scalable profitability. Also, I would like to advocate, and I believe other farmers will join me, that a kg of fish should not be sold for less than N650.

I’d also like to give this piece of advice to my readers: don’t quit, there are better days ahead.

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104 Comments

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  1. NURUDEEN S. AYINLA

    I am interested my powerful honourable head of class

  2. manir rabiu

    Yes, what you is exactly right on approximately.

  3. Sola

    Sir, may the good lord be with you in every ramifications of life as you enriched us with this insightful peaces of information, pls am at Ibadan now and will like to see physically and have conversation with you, my mail is muideensolao@yahoo.com and will be glad to have you number. Thank you.

  4. Mohammed Abubakar

    Nice post, very insightful. Keep it up, I’ve bookedmarked your site for future reference purpose. Main while:

    HIGH QUALITY CATFISH FEEDS FOR SALE AT NGN2,500 PER 15KG BAG.

    To make a lot of profit in your Catfish farming business, you need to cut the cost of feeding your fishes and Catfish grown at high densities requires a nutritionally complete feed to produce good growth and maintain good health. I’m a local manufacturer and distributor of high quality Catfish Feed in Nigeria. I distribute to all parts of the country to Sub-distributors, Wholesalers, Retailers and End-users.

    I own a big Catfish farm myself at KM 5,.. so my floating and sinking pellets are properly prepared with a 48%(CP) percent crude protein good and well balance fish feed formulation. We supply Nationwide to your farm or doorstep at an affordable price of NGN 2,500 per 15kg bag including transportation. Contact _081———–

    The ingredients required to manufacture high quality feed are readily available here in Nigeria hence my Catfish feed has a high quality energy source required for growth and maintenance of body tissue resulting in improved weight gains because it is fortified with balanced vitamins, minerals and amino acids plus Stabilized Vitamin C required for better metabolism, skeletal formation, nerves, body fluid regulation and enzymes to yield maximum productivity.

    •

      Eniola Abiodun

      Thanks for your contributions….You can advertise on this blog at a very cheap price. Thanks, looking forward to working with you.

    • dauda

      Thanks Boss but i cant find your No on the post. can you contact me on 08067811609? My farm is in Kano can you supply me? please lets talk im interested

      •

        Eniola Abiodun

        What do you want me to supply you? I don’t run blog to sell products except you are interested in advertising your products on this blog.

    • Mrs. Are, O.

      Mohammed Abubakar

      Please send me your full phone no for booking of fish feeds.
      I’m at Ibafo. Thanks. Are (Mrs.)

    • musa dannana

      pls can u sent ur number to me let me call u? to know where y are

    • Okwubanego chinwe

      Sir, I am leaving in Abuja. I want to set up catfish farm with 3000 juveniles in an earthly pond. Please sir, I want to know how possible it is for u to be supplying local feed to me.

    • Zahid Shabbir Ahmad

      I m from Pakistan and interested in catfish farming so please help me out

    • Stephen I. O

      Dear sir,

      I am interested in fishery business and needs your help. Call me on 07033179537 or send to me your contact telephone number to call you.

      Thanks,

      Stephen I. O
      Anambra State

    • Daskut Aaron

      i am an intending catfish farmer. I plan to venture inn soon. So i need some orientation an about the business in the following areas : that pond, catfish production, feeds, sourcing for buyers and even the risk involved. I reside at Abuja, mpape to be specific. Dough i have a tide schedule at my office now. But I plan to utilize any available opportunity. so, please how can you help me.

    • Emma

      Hello please I am interested in your feed

    • Sophia

      Please am a beginner, are you still producing the feed?

    • Olu abiodun

      Please do you still make floating catfish feed.
      How much

    • Gas Okilo oweiware

      Can I get your contact number

    • frank

      Am in mohammed. Whatsapp or call me on 07067561791

    • Prisca

      Plz kids need your full phone number, I need feed, I’m from IMO stste

  5. Clement lke

    Please, I want to thank you very much for all your good works through this highly educative and enlightening write ups. Sir, how do I get to know peronally? I have been desiring to establish catfish farming business but I need a good consultant as a mentor. God bless you sir.

  6. olakunle

    Thank you for this piece. I am grateful. I just registered my own farm and was doing my cost analysis with the intent of starting in August 2016

    Please, are you saying, if i decide to use foreign feed all through the duration of raising my fishes, it will cost me N518,000?

    Please clarify this sir!.

    Also, i wish to find out where i can buy well proven juveniles in lagos or abeokuta if you have an idea sir.

    Thank you. God bless you

    Regards
    Kunle

  7. nicholas

    thank you sir for this generous piece of information you have given at will and at no cost. i’m an intending farmer who wants to officially kick off production very soon. pls where can i get good breeds of juvenile within enugu and makurdi, benue state

    •

      Eniola Abiodun

      Thanks,please get your juvenile at any part of the country provided that you are sure of its quality.

      • kunle

        Great teacher, thanks for your write up.

        Pls where in. Lagos or the outskirts can I get land for fish farming? And at what price?

        Thank you.

  8. akpor

    don’t know about lagos, but here in asaba and environs, there is an association/union that regulates prices

  9. Chioma

    very insightful , thank you sooo much

  10. kenneth O.

    Mr Eniola God bless you.
    Mr. Mohammed Abubakar
can i get your number or email? Pls reach me on 08037005000

  11. Endurance

    Well done. The price for table size regulation is very important. But it requires cooperation

  12. Okotie Reuben

    Sir, I own a feed outlet and I really would like to start buying in wholesales from you. How can I do that?

  13. Ojima

    Sir I would like to ask, is there a ready market for cat fish especially wen its time for harvest

  14. kolade ogunsanya

    nice job sir

  15. Adoye

    Very informative. Thanks for your contribution towards growing the industry.

  16. OYEMADE ABAYOMI

    HOW MANY KILOGRAMS OF FEED CAN 500 FISHES WILL EAT TO REACH A TABLE SIZE OF 1KG

  17. bosman

    Pls sir I want to ask if am using maggot and floating food for my catfish is there going to be any side effect on it

  18. yisau ilyas

    how many bags of skrettin can feed 6000 fishes from juvenile to a period of 5 month

  19. yisau ilyas

    please how many bags of skrettin can feed 6000 fishes from juvenile to a period of 5 month

  20. Irabor Odemwingie

    good day sir,pls I would luv u to let me in on the financial implications of building a 500 capacity concrete pond.thanks

  21. Esther omoigui

    Sir , I am intrested in fish pond farming for that I like to know the price of feeds and the fingernails so I know what to do and to see if I can go more than a thousand. That is the feeding from the day to the harvest or the one that is bigger than the fingernails thans.

  22. Dayo

    with the analysis put forward, it is not profitable to feed fish with imported feeds all through. at what age should a farmer starts to use local feeds? thanks

  23. dexman

    Thanks for being honest enough Mr Eniolala. I am an account and haven’t red your cost analysis of profit & loss, I gave you kudos!

  24. dexman

    please Mr Eniola, respond to to my interest on the other side of your blog. I am in need of a pelleting machine and I could be reached through: dexmanbayo12@gmail.com or
    08038629062 thanks.

  25. Ayoola Damilare

    Mr Muhammed where do u based, I need to book for fish feed and am in Abeokuta

    •

      Eniola Abiodun

      Ibadan, ido local govt….Oyo State.

      • Akinwalie oluwasanmi

        Sir, thanks for sharing your knowledge here. I intend to start up with plastic pond. Am in Ibadan I don’t how many juvenile a plastic could take at once. Also where can I get one? At what cost?

  26. Temiloluwa

    HOW MANY BAGS OR KILOGRAMS OF FEED CAN 500 FISHES BE FED TO REACH A TABLE SIZE OF 1-1.5KG

  27. Temiloluwa

    HOW MANY BAGS OR KILOGRAMS OF FEED CAN 500 FISHES BE FED TO REACH A TABLE SIZE OF 1-1.5KG? Is the above cost analysis based on 0% mortality? Please what is a good or reasonable mortality percentage rate?

  28. RAJI

    Interesting & educative write up.

  29. Abubakar Mohammed

    QUALITY LOCAL CATFISH FEEDS AVAILABLE AT NGN2,500 PER 15KG BAG. Call:☎️ 08103953855 Or 07035907330.

    To make a lot of profit in your Catfish farming business, you need to cut the cost of feeding your fishes and Catfish grown at high densities requires a nutritionally complete feed to produce good growth and maintain good health. I’m a local manufacturer and distributor of high quality Catfish floating Feed in Nigeria. Free delivery to all parts of the country, to Sub-distributors, Wholesalers, Retailers and End-users.

    Send your requirement to: ☎️ 08103953855 Or 07035907330. Address: No 3, Okele Street, Ogbogbo Ijebu North/East, Ogun State.

    I’m a catfish farmer myself, hence, my floating pellets are properly prepared with a 58%(CP)crude protein good and well balance fish feed formulation. Available sizes are 0.2mm to 10mm suitable for juveniles to maturity, we supply Nationwide to your farm or doorstep at an affordable price of NGN2,500 per 15kg.

    The so-called foreign feeds are reaping you off of your profit, the ingredients required to manufacture high quality feed are readily available here in Nigeria. My local Catfish feed has a high quality energy source required for growth and maintenance of body tissue resulting in improved weight gains because it is fortified with balanced vitamins, minerals and amino acids plus Stabilized Vitamin C required for better metabolism, skeletal formation, nerves, body fluid regulation and enzymes to yield maximum Productivity.©

  30. Dada Saheed

    please how many fishes can comprised 1050kg fishes out of 1000 fishes

  31. Imo Asuquo

    Good Evening Abiodun!
    I have read through your wonderful article on catfish farming. Please check your email inbox, i have send you a message

  32. Tunde

    Are the figures below for six months or Monthly profits?

    Net Profit = Total Value of Sales – Total Cost of Production

    For Alternative A: Net Profit = 504,000 – 379,000 = 125,000

    For Alternative B: Net Profit = 504,000 – 597,000 = -93,000 (net loss)

  33. Alba

    Thank you for publishing this fantastic article.
    I’m a long time reader but I’ve never been compelled to
    leave a comment. I’ve bookmarked your site and shared this on my Facebook.
    Thanks again for a quality post!

  34. Toyin Benjamin

    Good and educative information. May God continue to bless you in Jesus name. Amen. Please, how can we tackle the issue of marketing especially pricing. Moreover, permit me to tell my fellow farmers in fish industry especially in Ogun State to join Caffan (Catfish and Allied fish farmers Association of Nigeria) to be able to stand as a body to fight for our right and to improve the industry to a profitable and interesting to others to come into fish production. enough is enough for fish importation.

  35. Julius Akintayo

    Mr Eniola, Am totally convince with this wonderful write-up.
    Pls, how can I make use of tanks for fish farming and is it possible to start with 500 fishes for a start?
    And how can you be of help in term of mentorship?
    Thanks in expectation

  36. Mustapha

    Hello Mr. Eniola, pls can I fees 1000pcs of juveniles with 20, 000k for 4 months for table size?
    Secondly, how much can someone get space at Iddo for fish farming n the security?
    Thanking you in anticipation

  37. ErnestoChief

    I have checked your blog and i’ve found some duplicate content,
    that’s why you don’t rank high in google’s search results,
    but there is a tool that can help you to create 100% unique content, search for: boorfe’s tips unlimited content

  38. ACHENEJE SUNDAY

    Nice write up and highly educative for we lovers of fish farm

  39. Zahid Shabbir Ahmad

    I am from Pakistan and interested in catfish farming so please give me help and it’s possible u send me fingerlings of catfish in Pakistan and on which cost

  40. Victor

    Thanks very much for the knowledge you’ve shared , please I need your mobile contact

  41. URSULA

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU. PLEASE AM ALSO INTERSTED IN FISH FARMING, MY LOCATION IS LAGOS.

  42. Kingsley

    Good morning broda, just started fish farming now in a 6 plots of land at epe with the help of a friend.. I don’t know anything about it. Can you please enlighten me on some aspects? I wrote you in your email address this morning and my number is there.

  43. Moe's Asema

    You are doing a great job, please keep it up.

  44. Ademola Adebayo

    Thanks for the insightful write up

  45. Sophia

    Please who is close to portharcourt? I need quality cat fish feed at an affordable price

  46. DR CHIDI ONWUZULIGBO

    I am a new farmer. I am building concrete ponds for catfish farming. The ponds are 12 units of 12x13ft located in Portharcourt. I need guidelines for a good start.

  47. Victor

    Sir pls i am training 49 catfish how many days should i change the water and know when to change their feed and also supply to me local feed.

  48. Abdullahi Mohammed

    Thank you

  49. Charles

    I am new in the fish farming,

  50. Tod

    Did you believe me?

  51. Oyelakin

    It’s nice to be here today.
    I am Oyelakin Saheed Abidemi Joseph by name, I am into catfish hatching. That is I supply juvenile at a cheaper rate. Contact me for details and info on 08137568289

  52. Ishmeal marizu harmony

    Thanks. I will love to do the business

  53. Akindeji

    Good evening sir, I really appreciate you for the information. I’m a new in this business and I would like to know how many floating bag can 1000 juveniles consume for a period of 4 months and what will be the estimated weight per fish?

    Thanks

  54. TEMITOPE

    Thanks you so much
    I just stock 2000peices of juveniles on march 20 .

  55. TEEZBIOD

    Thanks you so much
    I just stock 2000peices last week on 20 march .

  56. Oyetunji ajoke

    Pls how much can I spend on 500 pieces of fish for 6 months

  57. akeni peter

    how many times do i need to feed 4-5 weeks fingerlings?

  59. Adebowale Falade D.

    Very insightful blog…..am researching on how to effectively start a cat fish farm . Hence i found your write up very interesting and straight forward compared to other souces of info gathering. The comments are inspiring as well

  60. Mabel

    Thank you sir

  61. Kubianga okon

    Hello sir have rare fish for some time now but no gain can you please help?

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