Basic knowledge regarding catfish business

OK Some basic Information regarding catfish business.




1. Fry

Breeder price for catfish is 1" RM0.02 2"RM0.05 3"RM0.10 ex-farm. You can even get cheaper price than this if you are ordering more than 100k. It's all come down to volume.



2.Fry Grade

Some people will tell you the fry have grade A,B,C....Z. But base on my experience there's only three type of fry.

i. cannibal fry

ii.Average fry

iii. dying fry



Cannibal fry usually people call them the Grade A fry. Its true that most breeder will sort out this fry but not because of keeping it for future broodstock (that's the myth). I sort out this fish is purely because it is a cannibal fry. It grow fast because it eat his brother/sister. Some breeder do sort this fry and grow till 3" before sell out. Most dont.



Average fry are those fry that in the market. as long as you feed them well, they will grow well. However, cannibalism is in their blood. They will eat other fry if they are hungry.



Dying fry are those who are born and destiny to be food source for (two type of fish above). They eat less, grow slow and always get Chom-Chom by the stronger fry.



In any given time. As long as you buy 1" fry. You will have this three group of fish. That's why farmer rare catfish in pond. More volume/area for the weaker fish to hide.



Growing fish in tank will only works as long as the farmer constantly do grading.



Market

Like it or not. The market price for catfish fall around RM2.50-RM3.00(pellet/non-pellet)as long as you going to sell-off to middle man. It's no way you can get offer higher than RM3.00. If it does, it's more likely happen Once in a Blue Moon.

(Anyone wanna buy catfish higher than RM3.00/kg, PLS PM me. I have many farmer would sell to you and I can assure you they eat pellet only CP/Cargill brand)



Buy-back Package

Most company that sell aquaculture system (canvas/PE/Fiber tank) and promise Buy-Back Package higher than RM3.00 are mostly(if not entirely) con. If you wish to burn your money. At least check the background of the company. Any company that exist less than 2 years are most probably gonna con you. Consult Fisheries Department (PutraJaya), they have a list of company that they suspect/receive report that the investor get conned.



Trainning

Growing catfish is as easy as 1-2-3. Just like learn driving. Once you get hang on it, you won't forget it. Free training available in Fisheries Department... get information from them. Some even teach you how to breed the fish (no hidden secret).