practical catfish hatching process (video)

Nowadays, a lot of people are interested in learning how to hatch catfish at home. Just for them we have prepared a guide that could be of great help for those who are just starting with catfish farming in Nigeria. We will take you through the whole process, and you will be able to do it yourself in no time!

Step-by-step guide to operating a catfish hatchery

Despite what you might be thinking, catfish farming is not that complicated, as long as you have at least a basic idea of what you are doing. While you do have to do some research before you seriously decide to hatch catfish, we can provide you with a general guide, just so you know what you are signing up for.

Here is the full process of how catfish hatching works:

• Selecting the brood. You can do so by getting your fish in the wild or buying it from a fish trader, farmer or a fish research institute. The latter is recommended, because the fishes there has been brought up in strict controlled conditions that minimise the chances of it having defects or being prone to diseases. You can buy mature fishes or start with juveniles and raise them to maturity yourself.

• Telling apart the males from females. If you are working with adult fish, this should not be that hard. Mature female catfish that is ready to produce eggs has a reddish opening in the bottom where the eggs come out. It should have a protruding swollen stomach filled with eggs. The mature male catfish has an elongated reddish papilla on the bottom.

• Selecting the specimen. For the best results, it is recommended to choose two female catfish and three male. The females should be large and ready to produce eggs. The males should be approximately of the same size.

• Weighing the female fish. In order to determine how much hormones you need to inject your female catfish (and you need to do that, trust us), you should weigh it first. Based on its weight, you need to prepare the hormone solution.

• Choosing the hormones. You can go natural (by harvesting pituitary gland) or artificial (synthetic (human) hormones). For the first method, the gland needs to be harvested, grinded and added to 1 ml of saline solution. There are also ready-made pituitary solutions on sale. For the second method, click here to learn more about the different types of hormones and the recommended quantities.

• Injecting the female fish with hormones.Once you have decided on the type of hormones, it is time to inject your fish. Before you do it, it is best to tranquilise the fish, but be extra careful not to overdo it. Take the syringe with the calculated dose and inject the fish at a 45-degree angle several centimetres away from lateral line, around the midsection. Then leave the fish be for about 12 hours.

• Preparing the strip. When the time is up, take your fish, wipe it dry, cover its head with a soft cloth and strip the eggs by pressing the fish’s stomach. As for the males, they are not that lucky. You have to kill them by cutting them open through the stomach and removing the milt sac with the testes.

• Preparing the eggs. Mix the milt with saline solution and introduce the mixture to the eggs in a bowl. Mix it all thoroughly but carefully for about a minute. Add clean water to begin fertilisation. After that, spread the eggs on the spawning sponge and put it in the incubator full of water. Make sure it is fully submerged and not floating on top.

• Hatching the eggs. In about 24-35 hours, you should be able to see your catfish fingerlings. They would descend to the bottom of the incubator. When you think that all the fry have hatched, take the sponge out, put it in another bowl/incubator and give it a good shake. This will help the fry trapped in the sponge to get out. If you do not do this, you risk losing quite a lot of fingerlings.

You are done! As you can see, it is really not that hard, but the better your technique is, the better results you can expect. So practice on a few fish, and you will be able to grow your farm in no time!

Watch the video below:

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Water Quality Management in Catfish Farming (More than Just Feeding)

Digital pH meter

When you are talking about water management in fish farming, you should have your thought around the pH, Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia (NH4), and Oxygen levels in pond water.

Any fish farmer/Grow out farmer that wants to record a high survival rate of fish and better growth in record time in their various types of ponds must endeavour to pay good attention to pond water quality.

Apprehending and predicting catfish performance in our various types of ponds can be relatively difficult without prior knowledge of how water parameters influence catfish behaviour.

Some years back, I have observed that most fish farmers and grow out farmers that operate good ponds, stocked with the right quantity of fish seeds, still recorded huge losses even though they fed their fish very well.

This is due to poor knowledge of fish water management/chemistry.

Catfish, unlike other animals, feed and defecate inside the same water/pond where they live and the quality of the water inside their habitat directly affects feed/feeding efficiency, the rate at which they grow, survival and the state of health of the catfish.

When water quality depreciates, feed consumed by catfish is not properly converted into body flesh. Poor growth is recorded or observed, fish survival is affected and ultimately massive catfish death may occur.

Important Water Quality Management Parameters In Catfish Farming

In catfish production, water quality parameters which need to be continually monitored are

• Dissolved oxygen
• The temperature of the pond water
• pH(Potential of hydrogen)
• Ammonia(NH4) concentration in the pond water.

Due to dynamics within our different types of ponds, these parameters could change at short notices/observations. I need to share my experience and observation with fish farmers concerning the various ways in which the fluctuations of these water parameters could influence catfish health, catfish growth, and catfish survival.

1. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in Catfish Pond Water

The relevance of monitoring the level of dissolved oxygen(DO) in our types of ponds is very important and necessary. For the African catfish, a fish farmer/breeder should try as much as possible to maintain dissolved oxygen levels at between 4mg/liter to saturation levels in the pond/hatchery.

Gas bubble disease can happen to catfish/fries when DO levels are constantly too high and the water is super-saturated to well above 300 percent.

When DO level is consistently between 1.5mg/liter to 5mg/liter, catfish/fries will be alive, but feed intake will reduce drastically. The catfish growth rate will also reduce and high Feed Conversion Ratios (FCR) will be observed or recorded.

Also, when DO levels are lower than 1.5mg/liter, catfish will be stressed and they will start dying. The periods of achieving desired weights in catfish will be lengthened and ultimate loss on investment will occur.

In fact, I can categorically emphasize that with consistently low levels of DO(dissolved oxygen)in our various type of ponds, the use of low-quality feed might even be a waste of money.

This is because of the fact that catfish breathe in oxygen for general body metabolism. DO is needed to help break down any potentially harmful metabolic waste into less harmful forms, e.g ammonia (NH3) broken down into nitrites (NO2) and then into nitrates (NO3).

2. Temperature Management in Catfish Farming:

Catfish is a cold-blooded aquatic animal. Unlike man that is warm-blooded, their metabolism which occurs in their bodies is greatly influenced by the water temperature.

For the African Catfish/Dutch Clarias, an acceptable temperature range is between 26ºC to 32ºC.

When water temperature in our various type of ponds consistently stays between 16ºC and 26ºC, feed intake reduces and catfish growth rate also drags tremendously. A grow out farmer will record high FCR, and the fish will also be stressed.

Tardy or prolonged stress can open up the catfish to opportunistic infections. When catfish are consistently exposed to temperatures below 15ºC, catfish growth will ultimately stop and death is just around the corner.

Very low temperature negatively affects rates at which wastes are converted into the water. However, when water temperature is above 32ºC, the resultant effect on the African Catfish/Dutch Strain Clarias is not good at all.

This is because of the fact that Oxygen is not readily soluble in very warm water. The high temperature in ponds will stress the catfish and eventually lead to death.

3. pH (potential of hydrogen) of Pond Water:

pH is the level of the Hydrogen ion present in the water. For the catfish in the pond, the acceptable pH value is between 6.5 to 7.5. When it is below 4, catfish will die due to water acidity.

I have personally experienced this and it was not in any way good at all.

When pH is constantly between 4 to 6, catfish will be alive, but due to stress, they will experience slow growth. The feed intake will be highly staggered and reduced. FCR will also be very high.

In fact, for those observant fish farmers, low pH in pond water is an indication of high CO2, (carbon dioxide) in the water.

Very high pH values of between 9 to 11 in catfish pond water will also retard catfish growth. Catfish will ultimately die when pH levels rise above 11.

Low pH aids higher proportions of ionized ammonia which is less toxic to catfish. The reverse is the case with high pH in water.

Digital pH meter

Digital pH meter

4. Ammonia(NH4) Concentration in Pond Water

Ammonia is harmful to fish if allowed to accumulate in fish pond water. Once ammonia accumulates to harmful levels, fish cannot extract energy from the feed with efficiency.

If the ammonia concentration gets too high, the fish can become slow or inactive and may eventually die.

In properly managed fish ponds, ammonia rarely accumulates to fatal concentrations. However, ammonia will have slightly fatal effects—such as reduced growth, poor feed conversion rate, and reduced resistance to disease—at concentrations that are less than fatal concentrations.

Conclusion

There is nothing as painful as being ignorant of these facts. These water parameters play a major role in the overall business of profitable fish farming.

Making profit/money from fish farming goes beyond just giving food to the catfish. You must continuously monitor and control your fish pond water. 

The growth time of catfish in our various type of ponds must be within acceptable times. Nothing is as painful as keeping catfish in ponds for an unnecessarily long period of time while money is being wasted on feed.

You’ve come a long way in reading this article to this point. Please leave a comment to tell us how helpful you find this post.

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Credit:

This article is a compilation of the lecture presented by Prof. Wealth Ubi

Hotlines: 08138570184

WhatsApp: wa.me/2348138570184

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EFFECT OF OYSTER SHELL ON CATFISH GROWTH AND POND WATER PH BALANCE

Two Tanks Filled with the Same Water but One has Oysters Shell In It

This striking visualization we see two tanks filled with water from a salty water river. The tank on the right also contains oysters shells. Over the course of 2 hours those oysters filtered all of the algae out of the water, balanced pH, increased dissolved oxygen rate, cleared impurites, and produced pure water.  With oyster shell balancing of water pH, fishes tend to grow rapidly, healthy and fast. A right water pH from 6.5 to 7.5 decrease the time it takes for fishes to reach full maturity, the right pH balance deter or prevents and makes water unsuitable for diseases and microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses to grow in pond, hereby preventing disease outbreak. To monitor your water pH, its expected you have a digital pH meter to monitor and manage your water pH and balance the pH. Buy the button caliberated digital ph meter here. The demonstration shows how effective oysters are at naturally filtering water which benefits Catfish and other fishes:

“With oyester filter, water produced balanced pH pond water, more dissolved oxygen and balanced water nutrient etc.

Typically a single oyster shell can filter up to 2 gallons (7.57 litres) of water an hour. 

Watch video below:

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Ensuring High Survival rate in Catfish Hatchery Management

Prevention should be considered the first line of defense when managing egg disease and survival. 

The most productive method of producing a healthy catfish fingerlings is to transfer fries after 5 days to a hatchery after spawning.

Simple management strategies, such as disinfecting the hatchery before the hatchery season, having separate nets and equipment for each hatching trough, disinfecting hands, disinfecting egg masses before bringing them into the hatchery, and using a pathogen-free water supply, help prevent the introduction of infectious pathogens into the hatchery.

The time it takes for catfish eggs to hatch depends on water temperature. Channel catfish typically spawn when water temperatures are between (21 and 29 °C). 

Preventing fries fatalities:

The factors that can cause dead eggs (eggs that have stopped developing) include excessive handling, overcrowding, high temperature, water hardness, and transport delays. Important hatchery water quality.

Excessive handling
Fries in the early development stages are sensitive to handling and should be handled as little as possible to prevent mechanical injury.

Overcrowding
Many factors affect the maximum loading rate fries can sustain. Over-crowding causes poor water circulation and makes it easier for diseases to transfer between egg masses.

Temperature
Temperature is an important environmental factor that affects egg development, hatch rates and disease susceptibility. Newly spawned fries are more sensitive to temperature changes. If fries less than 24 hours old are moved from a pond to hatchery water of a substantially different temperature, they must be acclimated to prevent a high mortality rate. 

Fries can be managed by using a hose to slowly run hatchery water into the transport container until the water temperature in the container matches that in the hatchery. The optimal temperature range for incubating catfish eggs is (26 to 28 C). At temperatures above and below this range, hatch rates will be reduced by egg death and disease.

PH of Water
The ideal ph of water for rapid and high survival of fries and fingerlings is between 6.5 - 7.5. Anything below or above will expose your catfish to disease and mortalities (death). It is mandatory to have a digital ph meter to take your water reading.

Removing dead eggs and fries

Regardless of the cause of death, dead eggs should be removed to prevent disease outbreaks. Live eggs are transparent and progress from a pale yellow to an orangered color as they mature. Dead eggs are often difficult to identify during the first day or two after spawning. But by the third day, dead eggs typically appear opaque and colorless. Some dead eggs also may be enlarged. When dead eggs are observed, they can be removed by hand, being careful not to damage nearby live eggs. Egg masses older than 24 hours should be turned over periodically in the hatching basket and inspected for fungus and bacteria. This should be done at least twice daily, but no more than four times daily, until hatching begins.

Managing Disease

More serious than dead eggs themselves is the fact that fries are often attacked by disease pathogens that can then spread quickly to adjacent live eggs. Once a disease outbreak has begun, it can quickly get out of control. 

Disease-causing organisms
Bacterial and fungal infections are the primary threats to catfish eggs and fries. Bacterial infections most often occur when hatchery water temperature is higher than (28 C) and when hatching pond are overcrowded. Bacterial egg rot appears as a milky white patch, often seen on the underside and in the middle of the egg mass. This patch of bacteria will contain dead and deteriorating eggs. It should be carefully removed, along with the surrounding dead eggs. 

Fungus is more prevalent at lower temperatures, usually (26 C) and below. It rapidly attacks infertile and dead eggs. Fungal infections are easy to spot; they appear as white or brown cotton-like growths made up of many small filaments. If left untreated, these filaments can invade and kill adjacent healthy eggs, expanding to cover the entire egg mass and potentially every egg mass in the hatching trough. Mechanically removing dead and infected eggs can be time consuming, but is beneficial. Chemical control of fungal infections is quite effective. 

Formalin. Formalin is  for the control of fungi on fish eggs. The maximum concentration for disinfecting catfish eggs is 2000 ppm for 15 minutes as a flush treatment. Under typical hatchery conditions, with an average of one volume exchange every 45 to 60 minutes, 2000 ppm can be toxic to channel catfish eggs and fries. In most hatcheries, fungus can be controlled by treating with 100 ppm formalin for 15 minutes as a bath treatment. Turn the water off during treatment. Flush completely with fresh water when treatment time has elapsed. For flush treatments, concentrations between 100 and 400 ppm formalin have been successful at temperatures of  (24 to 30 C). Hatch rates tend to improve when formalin treatments are administered twice daily. 

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New Button Caliberation Digital Ph meter

New Button Caliberation Digital Ph meter and Total dissolved solid + Temperature meter

Usage:
All water treatment and analysis
Catfish Rearing, Wine, ph monitoring in Geologist, Water engineers, water treatment engineers, pure water companies, organic cream and soap making, boreholes  tertiary, secondary and special laboratories.

Parameters :
Read  PH 1 - 14 (Acceptable: PH 6.5 -  7.5)
                  Tds 1 - 50 ppm (Cleanest)

Importance:

PH;   high feed conversion rate = Faster growth. High fish survival rate. You know when to change water, You tell whether water is acidic or Alkaline. Fish grow fast. Happy fish when oh is right.




Price :      Each N10,000
               


DELIVERY DETAILS:

Delivery fee Lagos: N1000
                  Pay on Delivery.

                  Ogun: N1500 - N2000
                  Pay on Delivery.


Other states pay before delivery;

Northern states (State Capital)
delivery fee : N2500

South South - South east (State Capital) delivery fee N1500 - N2000

Call 08138570184 to place order

Whatsapp by clicking link below to order on whatsapp https://wa.me/2348138570184

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