How To Start Aquaculture Business (Fish Business) in Nigeria

 

MEANING OF AQUACULTURE
Aquaculture is the act of rearing selected species of fish, shrimps,  crabs, etc Under scientifically controlled conditions in enclosed bodies of water such as ponds,
streams and rivers where they feed, grow, breed and are harvested for consumption or for sale.

TYPES OF AQUACULTURE
The different types of aquaculture are:

1. Fish farming 
2. Shrimp farming 
3. Crab farming 

SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF FISH SPECIES COMMONLY STOCKED IN A POND

clarissa sppChrysichtys nitro digitatusGymnacus niloticusTilapia sppLates niloticaGypramus carpisHeterotis niloticusLabel sppHeterobranclues sppOphiocephalus spp

IMPORTANCE OF FISH FARMING 
fish farming is important for the following reasons :

1. It provides fish which serve as a source of food e.g protein to man and livestock. 
2. It provides a means of increasing the availability of protein to people at reduced cost 
3. It provides a means of recycling  wastes e.g animal  dungs from farms, factories and sewage disposal systems. 
4. Fish can be processed into fish by-products such as fish meal, fish oil, manure and skin. 
5. It provides employment and income to many people.
6. A better use of land and water in our environment is also ensured through fish farming.
7. It can generate foreign exchange to a nation, especially when fish are exported to other countries.
8. Fish farming is also useful in the area of research work and other educational purposes.

CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR SITING A FISH POND 
The factors or conditions necessary for siting a fish pond include:

• Adequate water supply 
• Soil in the area. 
• Vegetation of the area
• Topography of the area
• Availability of fast growing fishes
• Availability of supplementary feedstuff.

CLASSIFICATION OF FISH

Fish can be classified into two main groups:

a) Classification based on fish habitat. This can be grouped into two

1. I) Fresh water fishes e.g tilapia, carp, perch, trout and mudfish
2. II) Salt water fish e.g salmons, mackerel, sharks, tilapia, rays and eels. 
3. b)  Classification based on body structure. It has two groups as well
4. I)  Bony fishes e.g mudfish, carps, trout, catfish etc
5. II) Cartilaginous fishes e.g shark, dolphin, dogfish and rays.