Fish Farming Business Plan and Financial Estimation

Fish Farming
Fish farming means ‘raising fish commercially in tanks, ponds or other enclosures for the
purpose of producing food’. Commercial fish farming has already established as a profitable
business venture throughout the world. Fish is a great source of food and protein. The demand
and price of fish and fish related products are also increasing rapidly, in accordance with rapid
population growth. This is the main reason of increasing this business around the world. Almost
all countries around the world are somehow suitable for fish farming business. But the countries
with coastal areas are very suitable for this business. There are many areas, where fish farming
business is the only way of livings for the people. However, here we are describing more about
the advantages of fish farming and the steps for starting this business commercially.

Why Fish Farming?

There are many advantages of starting commercial fish farming business. Here we are describing
the main advantages of fish farming business.

 According to the demand, commercial fish farming business allows for large supplies of
fish. Catching fish from the wild can’t always fulfill the consumer’s demand. In such
cases commercial fish farming can meet up this demand.
 Fish can be raised in tanks until they are ready for marketing, and they don’t require the
extensive capture of wild fish. Thus commercial fish farming helps to preserve natural
ecosystems.
 Compared to the wild brethren, some farm raised fish species are more nutritious. Fish
are usually fed a wide variety of protein and nutrient enriched foods or pellets on
commercial fish farms. So farm fish become more healthier than the wild fish.
 Various types of fish species are available throughout the world. So you can choose your
desired species for your fish farming business.
 Fish are very popular as food around the world. So there is an established fish market,
and you don’t have to worry about marketing your products.

 You can start fish farming business in both large or small scale production purpose.
 If you don’t have enough capital for starting this business, then you can apply for bank
loans. Many banks will allow loans for starting this business commercially.
 Fish farming business is a great source of employment. More than 1 billion people
around the world depend on fish as their primary protein source. And most of this people
are directly or indirectly involved with fish products or fish farming business. As a result,
fish farming creates a great income and employment source for the people. Global fish
exportation business is now earning more money every year, than any other food
commodity.
 Even you can meet up your daily family nutritional demands through small scale fish
farming in tanks or ponds.
How to Start Fish Farming Business?
For maintaining a profitable fish farming business, you have to go through some step by step
process. The steps for starting a fish farming business includes selecting suitable farm land or
area, fish farm type (cage, tank or pond), cage or pond construction, selecting fish species,
feeding, care & management, harvesting and marketing. We are shortly describing all the steps
below. For running a successful fish farming business, follow every steps very carefully.

Select A Suitable Farm Land/Area

Selecting a suitable land or area is very important for starting commercial fish farming business.
All the areas are not suitable for profitable business. And some areas have plenty of natural
resources, which are very effective for fish farming business. Especially coastal areas and the
areas near big rivers or stream are very suitable for establishing fish farming business. Consider
the followings while selecting land or areas for your business.

 Select relatively level land and avoid steeply sloped lands.

 Consider your future business plan, while selecting the land. It will be better if you can
select a large piece of land, where you can perform all types of necessary farm activities.
 Avoid flooding and polluted areas, because flooding area can harm your business
seriously.
 Don’t select fish farming land near the crop fields. Farmers usually use a lots of fertilizers
and pesticides in their field for better production. These chemicals get mixed with water
and the polluted water can affect your fish farm.
 It will be better,if your selected land become slightly lower than the main water source. It
also help to reduce the cost of filling your farm land with water. Natural gravity will fill
the land without any cost.
 Ensure good transportation system is available in your selected area. Good transportation
system will be very effective for marketing your products and purchasing necessary
commodities from the market.

Type of Your Farm

There are numerous specific type of fish farms in both intensive and extensive fish farming
system. You can start fish farming business by choosing any type. You can choose cage system,
tank system or pond system. In cage system, make a suitable cage and place it in lakes, ponds,
bayous or oceans and start feeding the fish until they reach marketing age. In case of raising fish
in tanks, make a or a few tanks and stock fish there. Here we are describing more about fish
farming in pond system.

Pond Design & Construction

Construct a suitable pond, after selecting your farm area. Before constructing, make a good
design and make the pond according to your desired design. While designing the pond, ensure
the availability of all types of necessary facilities for maintaining a profitable fish farming
business. Although the design of a pond depends on the fish species you intend to raise and your
location. You can consult with your nearest fisheries institute to learn more about specific pond
design for specific fish species. Always try to maintain a good environment in the pond. Good
environment helps to live and grow the fish well, and it directly involved with better production
and maximum profits..
Suitable Fish Species
Selecting suitable fish species is very important for maximizing profits form fish farming
business. Select those breeds, which have a huge demand and high price in your local market.
The most important fish species used in fish farming throughout the world are carp, salmon,
tilapia and catfish. All of these fish species have many varieties and suitable for farming in all
types of agro-climatic conditions. Select the fish species for farming, depending on your local
facilities, demand and price.
Feeding
Feeding is the most important part of commercial fish farming business. Always try to provide
your fish high quality and nutritious food. High quality food not only ensures maximum
production but also help to keep the fish healthy. So provide your fish supplementary fish feed
along with natural food. There are various types of prepared commercial fish feed available in
the market for specific fish species. You can purchase those commercial feed from the market or
prepare it by your own. Learn more about preparing supplementary fish feed, if you want to
prepare it by your own. Don’t forget to add all types of necessary nutrient elements, such as
vitamins, minerals, salt etc. Feed your fish several times a day, depending on the fish species.

Care & Management

Always try to provide your fish fresh and nutritious foods. It will be better, if you can change
water from the pond occasionally. If not possible, then you can use some chemicals according to
the suggestion of an expert. Monitor the health of your fish on a regular basis. Do all your
necessary farm tasks timely. Keep the pond environment clean and suitable for proper growth.
Test the water and soil quality of your pond on a regular basis. Always stock some necessary
drugs on your farm. Prevent all types of predators, including frogs, snakes etc.

Harvesting
After a certain period, the fish become suitable for harvesting. Although this time depends on the
fish species. Start harvesting, when a major numbers of fish reach marketing age. You can use
net for harvesting fish or by removing water from the pond. Try to harvest during morning or
afternoon, when temperature is low. After harvesting, send the fish to the market as soon as
possible.

Marketing
Marketing is the easiest step of fish farming business. There are numerous markets available
where you can sell your products. And all types of fish have a huge demand in the market. After
harvesting, you can easily sell the fish at any of your nearest local market. Even there are many
companies available who export fish to the foreign countries. So don’t worry about marketing
the products, just focus on the other steps.

In a word, commercial fish farming business is really very profitable and a good source of
earning livings. If you intend to join this venture, then visit some fish farms in your area and try
to have some practical knowledge.
Pond Management
Before discussing about pond management we have to know what is a pond? Generally a pond
means a small collection of still water. The pond is seen almost all areas of the world. It is
mostly seen in the village area. Some are also found in city area. People use the pond for
different purposes. Most of those pond are used for fish cultivation. Almost all types of
freshwater and saltwater fish for ponds are cultivated in the ponds. Successful fish farming
depends on the pond ecosystem. The source of water can be a river, lake or other natural way
like rain water and underground water.

Water source can be different but it have to have the facilities of changing weekly or monthly. It
would be better if it has the facilities of replacing after every two to three months. For highest
fish production the pond water should change or replace only when it would lost from
evaporation or seepage. If the farmer change the whole water of the pond more and more it will
reduce his production. The pond can be different sized. It can be a small one or a pond of
numerous hectares. Small pond design are made for meet up family animal protein supply or
consumption. On the other hand the larger pond are made for commercial purposes. But a pond
of giant size is not suitable for well maintenance. Before pond construction you should keep in
mind about the pond culture, pond design, pond management and the pond supplies system.

Natural resources, condition, weather and available equipment are the main thing to look before
build a pond. The farmer should build a pond where the land is situated with a gentle slope. The
pond may be square or rectangular but you have to make sure that it will be free from entering
water from other source and the water will never go out. The water label of the pond will always
be same according to the species of the fish and it will be better if there is a resource of water
where sufficient water is available all time. The pond also have to be well drained to remove all
water while collecting the fish. The shore of the pond should wide enough for reducing the
erosion problem.

For preventing your pond fish from  the thief, you should construct the pond near your residence
as much as possible. The another way to keep your fish free from being theft, keep bamboo poles
or tree branches with thorns in the pond, it will make impossible to collect fish with net. The
bamboo poles and tree branches will not only prevent the fish from being theft but also it will
serve the fish some extra natural foods. This system is generally known as periphyton based fish
cultivation.

Freshwater Fish
The fish species which live and grow in freshwater is simply known as freshwater fish. Fish
species of freshwater can’t survive in saltwater. The general name and scientific name of some
freshwater fish are listed below.

General Name Scientific Name

 Katla                                           Catla catla

 Rui                                              Labeo rohita
 Kalibaus                                      Labeo calbasu
 Ghonia                                         Labeo gonius
 Mrigal                                          Cirrhina mrigala
 Nandina                                       Labeo xandina
 Common Carp                             Cyprinus carpio
 Sharpunti                                     Puntius sarana
 Titpunti                                         Puntius ticto
 Mola                                             Amblypharyngodon mola
 Chela                                           Oxygaster phula
 Dankina                                       Rasbora daniconius
 Darkina                                       Esomus danricas
 Boumach                                    Botia dario
 Gutum                                          Lepidocephalus gortea
 Aier                                              Mystus aor
 Golsa Tangra                              Mystus bleekeri
 Tangra                                         Mystus uittatus
 Rita                                              Rita rita
 Boal                                             Wallago attu
  Pabda                                          Ompok pabda
 Bele                                              Glossogobius giuris
 Batashi                                         Pseudeutroptus atherinodes
 Kajoli                                           Ailichthys punctata
 Pangas                                         Pangasius pangasius
 Magur                                           Clarias batrachus
 African Catfish                             Clarias gariepinus
 Shing                                            Heteropneustes fossilis
 Gozar                                            Channa marulius
 Shol                                             Channa striatus
 Taki                                              Channa Punctatus
 Kuche                                           Monoterus cuchia
 Vheda                                           Nandus nandus
 Tilapia                                          Telapia mossambica
 Nilotica                                        Telapia nilotica
 Koi                                               Anabas testudineus
 Kholisa                                        Colisha fasciatus
 Tepa                                             Tetraodon cutcutia
 Chapila                                         Gadusia chapra
 Foli                                               Notopterus notopterus
 Chital                                            Notopterus chitola
 Lobster                                         Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Saltwater Fish
The species of fish which generally live in saltwater is known as saltwater fish. This types of fish
usually live in the sea, coastal area and in the rivers with saltwater. There are many saltwater fish
species available. Among those species general name and scientific name of some important fish
species are listed below.

General Name Scientific Name

 Prawn                                         Penaeus monodon

 Green tiger shrimp                      Penaeus semisulcatus
 Indian white shrimp                    Penaeus Indicus
 Horina chingri                             Metapenaeus monoceros
 Bhetki                                          Lates calcarifer
 Bombay duck                              Harpodon nehereus
 Rupchanda                                  Pampus chinensis
 Lalpoa                                         Johnius argentatus
 Hilsa (Ilish)                                 Hilsa ilisha
  Tuna                                            Thunnus obesus
 Lakha                                          Polynemus Indicus
 Dog fish                                      Scoliodon sorrakowah
 Ribbon fish                                    Trichiurus haumela

Fish Diseases
Almost all types of animal suffers by diseases once or more during its lifetime. Fish are not the
exception. They also get affected by different types of fish diseases. Diseases are the main
obstacle for successful fish farming. But due to various reasons the fish of pond and this types of
source are suffers much than open source like the river and sea. So, the fish of pond suffers from
different types of diseases. By using modern farming methods in fish farming we can reduce
diseases in fish. The common diseases of fish and its remedy are highlighted below.

Ulcer disease of fish

The shol, gojar, taki, pumpti, bain, koi, mani, mrigel and fish of low water label are suffered by
this disease. The affected fish of this disease can be identified by red spots in its skin. The shape
of this spot generally increase rapidly. The tail, back side and  mouth are most affected places.If
the fish infected by ulcer then the infected fish of the pond should removed immediately. The
affected fish should keep in 100 g of salt mixing with 10 litters of water, then remove them to the
pond again. To prevent this disease and keep the fish health well 1 kg of lime and 1 kg of salt
should apply before the winter season come. This will keep the fish free from disease during the
winter season.
Stomach swelling
Ruhita fish and catfish are mostly affected by this disease. The main landmarks of this disease is
that the color of its body become pale. Due to water storage in the stomach the belly of the fish
become big sized. The fish lost the balance of its body. Affected fish moves here and there and
this is the main fish symptoms of disease. The fish meet death quickly. This disease generally
happens for “Aromonads” bacteria.

The water from the stomach should removed by a empty syringe. After that 25 mg of clorem
fenicle injection should apply for every one kg of fish or 200 mg of clorem fenicle powder may
mix with the food and feed the fish. 1 kg of lime can use according to the size of the pond. In this
case it is essential to use fish meal with the food of fish. Besides this it is important to ensure the
natural food and sufficient supplementary food.