Local vs. Imported Catfish Feeds: The Ultimate Guide for Profitable Farming

Complete Guide to Catfish Farming

Hi friends, my name is Olu and I’ve been a catfish farmer for almost 30 years. Even now in my early sixties, I still enjoy the business and find it very rewarding.

I know many people are curious about how catfish farming works, so I decided to put together this simple but complete guide. Here you’ll find everything you need in one place—from building your pond, to stocking, feeding, and even selling your fish.

Types of Catfish to Farm in Nigeria

The first step to fish farming is knowing a little about the fish—especially the types that are common in your area. I am in Nigeria, and here we mainly farm just a few species of catfish. Over the years, I’ve had experience with them, and I’ll walk you through the main ones you should know.

Clarias gariepinus- Wikipedia 

1. Clarias gariepinus (African Catfish)

This is the most popular type of catfish farmed in Nigeria. Farmers love it because it grows very fast, survives in different pond conditions, and can be stocked in high numbers. It is also very tough and can survive periods of low oxygen compared to other fish.

2. Heterobranchus bidorsalis

This one grows even bigger than Clarias gariepinus but takes a little longer to mature. Farmers who are patient usually like it because of its large size and resilience. However, it may require better pond management and feeding practices to get the best results.

3. Hybrid Catfish (Hetero-Clarias)

This is a cross between Clarias gariepinus and Heterobranchus bidorsalis. The hybrid combines the fast growth of Clarias with the size and toughness of Heterobranchus. It is becoming more popular among farmers who want the best of both worlds.

4. Other Local Species

In some regions, you may also hear about Clarias anguillaris and Clarias nigrodigitatus. These are less commonly farmed but can be found in natural waters. Most commercial farmers still prefer the three main ones mentioned above because they are easier to raise and sell in the market.

Comparison of Catfish Types

Catfish Type	Growth Rate	Size Potential	Hardiness	Market Demand
Clarias gariepinus	Very Fast	Medium to Large	High (tolerates low oxygen)	Very High
Heterobranchus bidorsalis	Moderate	Very Large	Very High	High (but takes longer)
Hybrid (Hetero-Clarias)	Fast	Large	High	Very High

If you’re just starting out,

Clarias gariepinus — The Friendly, Fast-Growing Catfish for West African Farms

If you’re starting out in catfish farming in Nigeria or elsewhere in West Africa, one name you’ll hear again and again is Clarias gariepinus — commonly called the African sharptooth catfish. It’s a hardy, widely distributed species that suits small backyard ponds and commercial systems alike. Below I’ll walk you through what makes this fish special, practical tips for farming it, and helpful things I learned the hard way when I started.

A short story from my pond

When I first started out, one thing I noticed after my second stocking was that the catfish I bought looked slightly different from the first batch. This new crop had smaller heads and longer bodies compared with the first fish. Later I found out these were Clarias gariepinus. They’re common across West Africa — especially here in Nigeria — and what surprised me was how quickly they grew and how well they converted feed into weight. That experience changed how I planned my next stocking and feeding cycle.

What is Clarias gariepinus?

Clarias gariepinus is a freshwater catfish native to large parts of Africa. It’s popular for aquaculture because it is:

• Hardy: tolerates lower dissolved oxygen than many other fish and can survive in challenging pond conditions for short periods.
• Fast-growing: reaches marketable sizes relatively quickly under good feeding and management.
• Omnivorous and adaptable: accepts a wide variety of diets — from commercial pellets to local feed ingredients.
• Widely available: fingerlings are commonly sold in many West African markets.

Where it’s found

This species is widespread in West Africa (including Nigeria) and occurs in rivers, lakes, swamps and man-made ponds. Because of its adaptability, it has become one of the top choices for local catfish farmers.

Why farmers like Clarias gariepinus

From my experience and those of other farmers I know, Clarias offers several practical advantages:

• Good feed conversion: they efficiently turn feed into body weight when fed appropriately.
• Resilience: survive short drops in water quality and can tolerate crowding better than some species.
• Market demand: consumers in the region are familiar with and often prefer this species.

Basic farming guide — practical tips

Below are simple, farmer-friendly pointers to get the best from Clarias gariepinus.

1. Choosing fingerlings

• Buy from reputable hatcheries or trusted sellers — healthy fingerlings should be active, have no obvious wounds, and show regular breathing.
• Look for uniform size at stocking to reduce competition and cannibalism.

2. Stocking and systems

• Ponds: Common backyard and commercial option. Start with conservative stocking and increase as you gain confidence.
• Concrete tanks & hapas: Good for intensive systems and easier to manage for feeding and harvest.
• Polyculture: Clarias can be grown with other species in some setups, but watch feed and space so they don’t outcompete others.

3. Water and environment

• They tolerate a range of water qualities, but keeping dissolved oxygen, pH, and cleanliness within reasonable limits improves growth and reduces disease.
• Regular water exchanges and removing organic sludge from the pond bottom will help.
• Provide shaded areas and avoid sudden large swings in water temperature or salinity.

4. Feeding

• Clarias accept commercial pellets and local feed mixes. Feed according to size and appetite — younger fish need more protein and more frequent feeding.
• Monitor feed intake and growth: adjust amounts to avoid overfeeding (which worsens water quality) and underfeeding (which slows growth).

5. Health management

• Keep good biosecurity — limit visitors to ponds, disinfect tools, and avoid introducing sick fish.
• Watch for common signs of stress or disease: off-feed, unusual swimming, sores, or rapid gill movement.
• Remove dead fish promptly and investigate causes — often poor water quality or parasites are to blame.

6. Harvesting and marketing

• Plan harvests when fish reach preferred market size in your area.
• Live sales and fresh fish markets are common; maintaining good handling practices preserves price and reputation.

Breeding and fingerling production

Clarias can be bred in captivity and many farmers produce their own fingerlings once they learn the process. if you’re new, buying quality fingerlings is the simplest route until you master broodstock selection and spawning techniques.

Common challenges and how I handled them

From my own learning curve: initial losses and slow growth usually came from overcrowding, inconsistent feeding, and neglect of water quality. After I switched to more careful stocking, better feeding routines, and regular pond checks, the Clarias gariepinus in my pond grew noticeably faster and performed well.

 Is Clarias gariepinus right for you?

For farmers in Nigeria and West Africa who want a forgiving, market-friendly, and fast-growing catfish, Clarias gariepinus is an excellent choice. Whether you’re running a small backyard pond or a more intensive commercial system, it’s a species that rewards attentive management.

If you’d like to read a comparison of the main catfish species for farming and see why Clarias often stands out, check this helpful guide I used when planning my next batch: Best catfish species for farming (practical comparison) .

Quick checklist before you stock

• Source healthy fingerlings from a trusted supplier.
• Test and prepare your pond or tank — remove predators and excessive sludge.
• Arrange an appropriate feed plan and storage.
• Set a simple routine for daily checks (feeding, mortalities, water)

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Please continue reading, the most important aspect is understanding the type of fish you want to farm.

Heterobranchus bidorsalis & Hetero-Clarias — Friendly Guide for Farmers

Practical, no-nonsense notes on the big native catfish and its popular hybrid for West African farms.

A quick, personal note

I’ve worked with many catfish types over the years and one thing is constant: the better you know your fish the fewer surprises you get. Big-bodied catfish like Heterobranchus bidorsalis and hybrids called Hetero-Clarias are common choices for farmers who want size, resilience and a strong market. Below I’ll walk you through what each offers, simple management tips, and how hybrids fit into a farm plan — explained in plain language.

Who is Heterobranchus bidorsalis?

Heterobranchus bidorsalis is one of the larger freshwater catfish species found across parts of West and Central Africa. It’s a heavy-bodied fish, prized for reaching large sizes — which can fetch higher prices where consumers prefer bigger whole fish.

Why farmers like it

• Size: tends to grow into large, marketable fish when given good feed and space.
• Robustness: reasonably tolerant of variable pond conditions compared to some delicate species.
• Market appeal: big, meaty fish often command a premium on local markets.

Basic farming tips for H. bidorsalis

• Space: give this fish room — larger ponds or lower stocking densities reduce stress and cannibalism.
• Feed: high-protein diets speed growth; consider gradual transition to locally available ingredients if cost is a concern.
• Water quality: maintain regular water exchange and remove sludge; although hardy, growth suffers in poor water.
• Handling: adults can be large — use nets and handling gear suited to their size to avoid injury to fish and farmer.

What is Hetero-Clarias (the hybrid)?

Hetero-Clarias is the common name for hybrids produced by crossing a Heterobranchus species with a Clarias species (Clarias gariepinus is the usual parent in West Africa). These hybrids are created to combine the best traits of both parents — typically the size of Heterobranchus and the rapid growth/hardiness of Clarias.

Why farmers choose hybrids

• Hybrid vigour: many producers report faster growth and better survival compared with some pure strains.
• Balanced traits: hybrids often deliver good size plus the hardiness and feed conversion of Clarias.
• Commercial preference: commercial farmers who want a reliable, fast-growing product frequently use hybrids.

Important notes on producing or buying hybrids

• Controlled breeding: producing hybrids requires hatchery skills and controlled breeding — it’s not usually done by accidental spawning in the pond.
• Buy from hatcheries: if you want hybrids, buy fingerlings from reputable hatcheries that guarantee crossbreeding and health checks.
• Record-keeping: keep good records of batch origin and performance so you can learn which strains work best for your conditions.

Callout — Quick decision guide

Want big fish for premium prices? Choose Heterobranchus bidorsalis or hybrids if you have space and can manage slower but steady growth.
Want fast growth and easy management? Hybrids (Hetero-Clarias) are commonly used in intensive systems for quicker turnover and good survival.
Tip: start with a small batch to test how a strain performs in your pond before committing your whole farm.

Practical management — day-to-day

Stocking density

Keep densities conservative for large Heterobranchus (to reduce stress and cannibalism). Hybrids can be stocked slightly denser in intensive systems, but only if water quality and aeration are well managed.

Feeding

Young fish need higher protein; grow-out diets can be adjusted as fish get larger. Feed according to appetite and remove uneaten feed quickly — overfeeding damages water quality.

Health & biosecurity

• Limit visitors and disinfect nets/tools between ponds.
• Quarantine new fingerlings before adding to the main pond.
• Monitor daily for unusual behaviour, sores or sudden mortalities.

Market & economics — what to expect

Larger Heterobranchus and hybrids can be sold live or fresh. Hybrids are often preferred where fast turnover matters. Watch local price trends — in some markets a few large fish can bring higher total income than many small fish.

Common challenges and how to manage them

• Cannibalism: keep sizes uniform at stocking and avoid extreme crowding.
• Poor water: regular pond cleaning and partial water change prevent slow growth and disease.
• Unreliable fingerlings: always buy from reputable hatcheries and quarantine new stock.

Simple checklist before you stock

1. Source healthy, verified fingerlings (especially for hybrids).
2. Prepare pond: remove predators, test water, clear sludge.
3. Plan feeding schedule and storage for feed.
4. Set up daily routine for checks and a simple record book

   Quick Infographic — Four Catfish for West African Farms

   Fast facts, farming notes, and what makes each species (or hybrid) useful on the farm.

   Heterobranchus bidorsalis

   Common names: Vundu-type / Bighead catfish

   Key features: Large-bodied, long eel-like shape, robust head. Can reach large sizes — prized where big fish sell well.

   Farming notes: Prefers roomy ponds; tolerates varied diets but benefits from high-protein feed for fast growth.

   GrowthModerate-to-fast (with good feed)

   Best forFarmers targeting larger market fish

   Clarias gariepinus

   Common name: African sharptooth catfish

   Key features: Small head, elongated body (as you noticed), very hardy and widely farmed across West Africa — especially Nigeria.

   Why farmers like it: Rapid growth, good feed conversion, tolerant of lower DO and variable conditions.

   GrowthFast (when managed well)

   Best forBeginners and intensive systems

   Hybrid — Hetero-Clarias

   Parentage: Heterobranchus × Clarias (cross)

   Key features: Hybrid vigour — often faster growth and better survival than one parent, combining size and hardiness.

   Farming notes: Favoured by commercial growers who want both big size and robustness. Producing hybrids requires controlled breeding or buying from specialist hatcheries.

   GrowthOften faster than parents

   Best forCommercial, market-focused farms

   Synodontis spp.

   Common name: Squeaker or upside-down catfish

   Key features: Smaller-bodied, interesting behaviour (some swim upside-down), useful in polyculture and small-scale systems.

   Farming notes: Not usually the main market fish but useful for diversifying production, improving pond ecology, and selling niche markets.

   GrowthSlow-to-moderate

   Best forPolyculture, niche sales

   Quick farming tips: source healthy fingerlings, avoid severe overcrowding, feed by size/age, and check water quality regularly. If you want the friendly long-form guide I used for planning my stocking, see my practical comparison here.

Two Types of Catfish Farmers

Now that you know the different types of catfish we farm in Nigeria, the next thing you should understand is the two main types of catfish farmers. Each plays an important role in the business, and sometimes one farmer may even combine both roles.

1. The Breeders

Breeders are the foundation of catfish farming. They are the ones who raise catfish right from the eggs to fry, then to fingerlings, and finally to juveniles. Their main job is to produce healthy young fish that can either be sold to other farmers or transferred to their own grow-out ponds.

Breeding requires special skill and careful management. A breeder must know how to handle broodstock, manage water quality, and take good care of the fragile early stages of catfish. It can be challenging, but it is also very rewarding because every farm needs good fingerlings to succeed.

2. The Growers

Growers take over from where the breeders stop. They buy fingerlings or juveniles and raise them all the way to table size—the size that people eat and buy in the market.

A grower’s main focus is on feeding, pond management, and ensuring the fish grow fast and healthy. This stage requires good planning, quality feed, and patience, because it can take several months for the catfish to reach market size.

When One Farmer Plays Both Roles

In some cases, breeders also act as growers. This means they hatch their own fish, raise them into fingerlings, and then continue to grow them until they are ready for sale. While this gives a farmer more control over the process, it also requires more time, knowledge, and resources.

Whether you choose to be a breeder, a grower, or both, the important thing is to understand each role clearly. That way, you can decide where you fit best in the catfish value chain and how to make the most profit from it.