Catfish
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Catfish (Clarias sp.) is a favorite commodity in Indonesia. In The Netherlands, a considerable amount (ca 4.500 tons py) of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is cultured for human consumption. For this purpose, special techniques have been developed at Wageningen University (WUR) with respect to efficiency and sustainability.
In Indonesia, already the amount of 50.000 tons of catfish, at least, is produced per year, but the amount can be tenfold when proper (Dutch) techniques have been introduced. At this moment, for produced catfish, traders pay at least euro 0,80 per kg, from farm. Cost price may be as low as euro 0,50, when utilizing modern farming techniques. Most crucial will be the introduction of good education in order Indonesian farmers as modern fish farmers.
Why catfish is an ideal for being cultured in developing countries
1. Mature catfish contains about 10 % fats with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, necessary for optimal development of human brains, heart and blood vessels
2. Catfish of genus Clarias has auxiliary organs for air breathing enabling the fish to take oxygen from the air thus oxygen availability from the water is of less importance. Therefore, Clarias can be kept in high densities in tanks, from about 100 kg to about 400 kg/m3 i.e. about 400 kg of fish in 600 liters of water, under the condition that water is replaced quickly with respect to ammonium production.
3. If fed properly, Clarias can grow fast i.e. about 4,5 % (per day) from a body weight of 10 grams till 1000 grams (adult individuals can reach a weight of 5 – 20 kg).
4. In a fish farm demanding only a small surface of land (ca 10 m2) a small fish farm can be realized enabling a fish farmer an extra income of about euro 1400,-/year, depending of the demand of fish on the local market.
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African Catfish mother (5kg) and 2 fingerlings (10gram)
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Healthy catfish in one of our farming basins. |
