o Culture of Freshwater Catfish

Posted by EPa in Fisheries

Freshwater catfish (hito or pantat) of genus Clarias is an important food fish in Southeast Asia.
It is cultured extensively in the Philippines due to its suitability to Philippine conditions, abundance of freshwater areas,
locally developed technologies for production and the presence of a vibrant market. Among the three species Clarias
macrocephalus (Native catfish), Clarias batrachus (Thailandcatfish) and Clarias gariepinus (African catfish) found in
the country, C. gariepinus is the most widely cultured.
Freshwater catfish has cylindrical body with slimy and scale less skin. They have eight barbells around their mouth
that serves as tentacles. They have aborescent organs that enables them to tolerate low levels of oxygen and high
turbid water conditions, thus they are considered hardy fishes. Freshwater catfish inhabits streams, rivers, Jakes,
dams reservoirs, irrigation canals, paddy fields or any freshwater environment. They feed on a variety of diet ranging
from pond bottom organisms, worms, insects, decaying organic matter, artificial feeds and kitchen leftovers.
Grow Out Culture
Site Specifications
o Size of Ponds Areas of 50 m2 or more maybe utilized although bigger areas are desired depending on
the capital investment.
o Location - Preferably in low and fiat areas which have good drainage and are accessible to transportation.
o Soil Must be clayey or clay loam and capable of holding water.
o Water Supply Fishpond should be constructed in areas where there is adequate supply of fresh water. Sources can
be from irrigation canals, spring, river, underground water or deep well.
o Depth of Water Water depth in the fishpond should be at least one meter or higher depending on the stocking rate.
o Freedom from Flood Areas should be free from flooding. Dikes should be at least one-half meter over the highest
flood level in the locality.
Lay-out Design
Ponds must be rectangular in shape. The shallow end should be 0.75 -1.0 meter deep with the bottom sloping
gradually to 1.5 2.0 meters deep towards the opposite end. A freeboard (distance from the maximum water level to
the top of the dike) should be 60 centimeters. Inner sides of the dikes should be made as firm as possible. This is done
by pressing the sides with a heavy log or board.
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A flat, firm and solid dike will prevent the fish from climbing or burrowing into it causing seepage/leakage on the dikes.
Dikes with loose embankment can be installed with adobe stones, waterproof plywood or comparable materials to
prevent escape of fish. If concrete ponds are to be used, pond bottom must be covered with a layer of clay at least 6
inches thick to create a natural habitat and to promote growth of natural food in the pond.
Pond Preparation
1. Pond Draining, Tilling and Leveling Pond bottom is tilled as soon as the pond has been drained. Tilling brings
nutrients from the bottom soil to the upper layers promoting growth of natural food in the pond. Leveling is done to
ensure good slope necessary for draining.
2. Drying Pond bottom is sun dried for about 3 days until the bottom hardens and cracks. Drying is important for it I
hastens decomposition of organic matter, releases obnoxious gases, eradicates pests and predators and allows time
for other pre-stocking activities.
3. Fertilization Apply organic fertilizer (chicken, cow or carabao manure) at the rate of 3,000 kgs/hectare. Inorganic
fertilizer such as ammonium phosphate (16-20-0) and diammonium phosphate (18-46-0) can also be applied in the
absence of organic fertilizer at the rate of 100 kgs/hectare.
4. First Water Intake Install fine mesh net a the water inlet to avoid entrance of predatory fishes. Fill pond with water
to about 5 cm depth or just enough to enhance the growth of natural food.
5. Growing of Natural Food Natural food will grow in the pond after 7 days, after which gradually fill in pond with
water up to 1 meter depth.
Stocking
Stock fingerlings (preferred size is 5-6 cm) 5 -10 pcs/m2 for extensive culture system and 100-150 pcs/m2 for
intensive system. Stocking must be done early morning or late afternoon when temperature is cool. Fish to be stocked
must be acclimatize to avoid mortalities.
Sorting is necessary every 15 days to prevent cannibalism.
Feeds and Feeding Habits
Catfish are carnivorous. The composition of their food is 90% protein and 10% carbohydrates. The principal food
materials used are ground trash fish, earthworms, termites, maggots. Insects, slaughterhouse by-products, chicken
entrails, freshwater shrimps and by-products of canning factories. Boiled broken rice mixed with vegetables or rice
bran can be substituted.
Commercially prepared catfish feeds are readily available in the market.
Suggested Feeding Guide
Body
Weight
(grams)
Feed Rate Feed Type
Feeding
Frequency
Fry-5
6-20
21-50
51-80
81-up
9-7
7-5
5-4
4-3
3-2
frymash
crumble
starter
grower
finisher
5x
4x
3-4x
3-4x
3-4x
To compute for Dairy Feed Ration (DFR)
o DFR m Total Stocks Mortality x ABW x FR
o Example: 2,000 pcs 10 pcs x 15 g x 5% = 1,492 50 g
Pond Freshening and Dressing
Introduce water into the pond every 15 days, if possible for about 1 hour between 5-6 AM or before sunrise to increase
oxygen level and to prevent fouling of wafer. Pond dressing can be done using the tea bag method (a sack with
several holes filled with organic fertilizer and placed near the water inlet).
Culture Period
Rearing of catfish with proper management last from 2.5 to 3.5 months under favorable conditions.
Harvesting
Harvesting is done when the desired market size (4-6 pieces in a 1 kilo) Is attained. Ponds are constructed with a
harvest basin or a catch basin to facilitate draining of the water.
Harvesting can either be partial or total. Partial harvesting is done using seine or scoop net. Total harvesting, on the
other hand, can be done by totally draining the pond water through drain pipe.
Marketing
Live catfish are sold either wholesale at farm gate price of about P90.00/kg or retail at P120.00/kg.
Income-Expense Statement of 200 sq.m. Catfish Pond (3 croppings per year)
Income:
o Gross sales of marketable catfish estimated at 320 kg (1,600 pcs x 200 g) x P90.00/kg- 28,800.00
Expenses:
o Fingeriings (2,000 pcs x P2.50/pc) 5,000.00
o Fry mash (1 bag @ P300.00/bag) 300.00
o Crumble (1 bag @ P550.00/bag) 550.00
o Starter (1 bag @ P560.00/bag) 560.00
o Grower (3 bags @ P650.00/bag) 1,950.00
o Finisher (5 bags @ P630.00/bag) 3,150.00
o Total P11,510.00
Net Income
o Gross Expense 17,290.00
Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)
o = Total Feed Used / Total Kilograms of Fish Produced
o = 270 kg / 320 kg = 0.84 kg
Return on Investment (ROI)
o = Net Income / Total expenses x 100
o = P17,290.00/P11,510.00 x 100= 150%
For more information, please write or call:
BFAR Regional Office Extension, Training and Communications Division
Iloilo City, Telefax (033) 337-4265 or 336-9432
Web: www.bfar.gov.ph

source: BFAR flyer, photo from tcmnor.blogspot.com
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Related posts:
1. Netcage Culture of Tilapia in Small Freshwater Reservoir
2. Guide to Freshwater Shrimp (Ulang) Culture
3. Culture of Angelfish
4. Tilapia Freshwater Fishpond

18 Responses
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2. Rhexa eusebio says:
September 20, 2013 at 12:35 am
Hi i am selling fish meal po..
Fish meal is 38/kilo for dried fishmeal
And 42/kilo for quality fishmeal
With cp analysis and 55-63% protein content depending on class.
Volume supplies available for buyin at cheap price .
you may contact me ..
We have documents need if necessary
Thanks
Rhexa eusebio
09433240555
Reply
o Weng says:
September 26, 2013 at 11:29 pm
Ano po bang brand name ng fish meal mo, saan po kayo banda
Reply
3. Bong says:
September 6, 2013 at 12:43 pm
hito/catfish for sale at sta.rosa city lagunabulk buyer are very much welcome
price it depends the sizecall me at number 09498971689
Reply
4. Katrina says:
July 22, 2013 at 9:27 pm
saan po natutulog ang Hito?
Reply
5. ISAGANI says:
June 17, 2012 at 2:26 pm
SIR PWEDE BANG I FORMULATE ANG SOYBEAN PAR SA CATFISH?ASAP
Reply
6. laarni says:
February 15, 2012 at 2:20 pm
nghahanap ako ngayon ng suppliers ng hito kc kulang supply ngayon d2 s dvao..about 9000fingerlingsplz email
me kung saan pwd ako makakuhatnx
Reply
o vans says:
July 16, 2013 at 7:43 am
i sell hito fingerlings here in gensan city txt or call at 09433258123
Reply
o Bong says:
August 18, 2013 at 1:08 pm
nangangailngan pa po ba kayo ng hito?pls email me at renef_18@yahoo.com
Reply
7. puroy jocson says:
April 12, 2011 at 1:42 pm
fingerlings african hito for sale,,,,
location ala jala rizal,,
contact no, 09213645273,,
vj jocson,,
tnx,,,
Reply
8. jhun villa says:
February 8, 2011 at 4:15 pm
kindly fax to 8004014 brochures/handouts on how to grow onions/garlic tilapia/hito culture pls include
sources/where to buy bulbs/fingerlings, tips and etc. thank you much
Reply
9. jhun villa says:
February 8, 2011 at 4:08 pm
where could i secure hito and tilapia fingerlings pls my farm is located at Sibalom Antique ty
Reply
10. Arsenia L. Retania says:
December 19, 2010 at 11:33 am
Saan po kami makakabili ng fingerlings ng catfish(hito) dito malapit sa Lipa Batangas.
Reply
o Weng says:
September 26, 2013 at 11:26 pm
Pwede po ba magenta ng grow out dyan na Hito
Reply
11. felix says:
November 30, 2010 at 3:59 pm
sir, ask ko lang po, pwede ho bang 50pcs per cu.m. ang stocking rate ng hito? At pwede na ho ba ang 10mL x
8mW x 2mH concrete tank? At ano ho ang mas magandang ipakain sa kanila, trush fish or commercial fish meal?
Il wait your reply, or just txt this num 09261844399
Reply
12. EDGAR C. ARINGAY says:
September 6, 2010 at 11:32 pm
Sir,
Im interested in Tilapia culture. Please also publish on how to raise Tilapia. Thank you very much.
Edgar C. Aringay
5th St. Jamestown Sub., San Roque
Talisay City, Cebu
0922-777-9598
Reply
o Leo says:
September 7, 2010 at 12:25 pm
@Edgar, heres the article compilation about tilapia raising:
http://www.mixph.com/2010/04/tilapia-raising-business-guide.html
Reply
13. junel says:
September 6, 2010 at 11:29 am
sir: in ilocos region where could i buy fingerlings of catfish?its been so long that i planned to have a catfish
production but i couldnt find where to buy fingerlings..please help me on this..tnx..junel
Reply
o Leo says:
September 7, 2010 at 12:36 pm
@junel, check mo sa local DTI office sa munisipyo ninyo. hingi ka ng copy ng list of suppliers and breeders.
inquire ka din sa BFAR ilocos region: http://region1.bfar.da.gov.ph/contactus/contact.htm
Reply
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