Course Content
Introduction to African catfish farming
Welcome to our training on the basics of growing African catfish! You will learn all there is to know about raising catfish in this free catfish farming course, from breeding and hatching through feeding and water quality control. You've come to the right place if you're looking for an excellent catfish farming course!You will gain a thorough understanding of the methods and procedures used in catfish farming after taking our course. We also have a ton of tools and resources available if you're searching for free catfish farming training to get you started in the business. Our course is created to provide you with the knowledge and abilities you need to be successful in the fascinating world of African catfish farming, regardless of your level of farming expertise.
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Site selection and preparation
Anyone who wants to start their own fish farm must take our course on site preparation and selection. We'll go over everything you need to know about picking the ideal area and setting up your farm for success in this free catfish farming course. We'll give you all the equipment and materials you need to establish your farm successfully, from evaluating the quality of the soil and the water supply to constructing ponds and tanks. Regardless of your level of expertise, our catfish farming course will equip you with the knowledge and abilities you need to be successful. Enroll right away to begin your path to a prosperous catfish farm!
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Stocking and feeding
Are you curious to learn more about the process of breeding African catfish in tanks or ponds under regulated conditions? If so, you might want to enroll in our stocking and feeding course. The right catfish should be chosen and purchased, your stock should be transported, and your fish should receive the right nutrition. These are all subjects that will be covered in this course to help you keep your fish healthy and happy. We will also go over crucial factors including feeding schedules and rates, as well as methods for keeping track of your feeding habits and making necessary adjustments. Our course is intended to provide you with the abilities and information you need to excel in the field of farming, whether you are a novice or an experienced farmer.
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Water quality management
Our course on water quality management will teach you everything you need to know to keep your fish healthy and happy. Water quality is a crucial aspect in the success of any fish farming enterprise. We'll cover everything, from comprehending the numerous elements that affect water quality to putting measures in place for sustaining ideal circumstances. Our course is made to give you the tools and resources you need to succeed, whether you're a novice or an expert farmer. Don't pass up this chance to learn how to control the quality of the water on your farm. Enroll right away to begin your path to success!
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Health management
We'll teach you everything you need to know to keep your catfish fish disease free and healthy. Good health management is crucial for the success of any fish farming enterprise. In this topic, we will have a detailed discussion on detecting common health problems to putting techniques for preventing and treating illnesses into practice. Our fish farming course is made to provide you the tools and resources you need to succeed, whether you're a novice or an expert farmer. Don't miss this chance to learn how to keep your fish healthy.Enroll today to get started on the road to success!
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Free Catfish Farming Training
    About Lesson

    Stocking African catfish refers to the process of introducing the fish into the pond or tank for the next stage of growth.

    This process is typically done when the fish are at the fingerling stage or juvenile stage.

    How Many Fingerlings Should I Stock | How to calculate stocking density

    The maximum number of fish that can be kept in a pond or tank depends on a variety of factors such as the size of the pond, the weight you intend to grow your fish to, the availability of feed, and the type of water system you intend to run.


    To avoid overcrowding and to preserve the health and welfare of the fish, it is essential to adhere to the recommended stocking density.

    Number of fingerlings to stock = (Pond volume (m^3) x Stocking density (fish/m^3)) / Average weight you want to grow your fish to.

    Pond volume can be calculated using the formula:

    Rectangular ponds: Pond volume (m^3) = Length (m) x Width (m) x Depth (m) (representing the depth of the water)

    Circular ponds: Pond volume = π r²h (where h represents the height of the water)

    For example, if the pond is 20 meters long, 10 meters wide, and 2 meters deep, the pond volume would be:

    Pond volume (m^3) = 20 x 10 x 2 = 400 m^3

    The standard stocking density for African catfish is (76 fish/m^3)

    Number of fingerlings to stock = (400 x 76) = 30,400 fingerlings

    The stocking density of African catfish does not vary depending on the type of ponds you are using.

    However, experienced farmers are able to push their ponds a bit by running better water systems such as the flow through system which is constantly pushing in fresh water and taking away waste water, and (or) by using earthen ponds which as discussed earlier provides the catfish with much more natural environment for growth.

    With a flow through system and (or) an earthen pond system, experienced farmers have been able to push the stocking density to 100 fish/m^3 without suffering any negative consequences.

    Concrete pond: The standard stocking density for African catfish in concrete ponds is around 76 fish/m^3.

    Earthen pond: The stocking density for African catfish in earthen ponds can be higher, in our farms, we use 100 fish/m^3.

    This is because earthen ponds are less susceptible to fluctuations in water quality, and provides a more natural environment for the fish to grow, thus even when the standard is 76 fish/m^3 you can still push a bit to 100 without any errors.

    Tarpaulin ponds: Tarpaulin ponds are considered intensive systems and the stocking density is relatively higher, 76 fish/m^3.

    This is because tarpaulin ponds are designed to have good water quality and temperature control, providing an ideal environment for the fish to grow.

    Use our catfish stocking calculator to determine how many fingerlings you can stock.

    Your success depends on proper stocking, failing to stock properly can often lead to your failure.

    Dangers of Over-Stocking

    • Low oxygen levels: If there are too many fish in the pond or tank, the oxygen levels may drop, causing stress and eventual death in the fish.

    • Overstocked fish will create more waste than the pond or tank can handle, which will result in poor water quality, and maybe hazardous conditions for the fish. This may also lead to the excessive growth of algae. Unlike Tilapia, Catfish do not feed on algae, thus algae growth is essentially a waste of your resources.

    • Competition among the fish may increase if there are too many of them in the pond or tank since there may not be enough food or other resources for everyone. Catfish are Omnivorous, they eat both plants and animals, and if they are left hungry, they would eat each other. You may not even notice, when catfish kill each other, they do what we call (deep sea burial) i.e they eat the dead, and bury it, without you noticing, especially in earthen ponds.

    • Disease outbreaks: Because fish are crowded together and may be more vulnerable to infection, overcrowding can facilitate the transmission of diseases.

    • Reduced growth rates: Fish may not grow as quickly due to a lack of resources and greater competition.