Raising Catfish Fingerlings: A Complete Guide
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Introduction
Raising catfish fingerlings is one of the most important stages of catfish farming. The survival, growth, and eventual profitability of your farm depend largely on how well you manage fingerlings during their early life stages. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about successfully raising catfish fingerlings, from pond preparation to feeding, stocking, and maintaining water quality.
1. Pond Preparation
The first step is preparing your pond or tanks to create a suitable environment. Ensure the pond is well-constructed, free from predators, and treated with lime to neutralize acidity. Water depth should be between 1–1.5 meters, which is ideal for fingerlings to thrive. Good pond preparation minimizes risks of disease outbreaks and encourages healthy growth.
2. Sourcing Quality Fingerlings
Always buy fingerlings from reputable hatcheries. Poor-quality or unhealthy stock will lead to low survival rates. Inspect for active movement, bright eyes, and uniform size before purchase. Fingerlings should be between 3–6 weeks old for stocking. Remember, quality in the beginning ensures profitability at the end.
3. Feeding Catfish Fingerlings
Proper feeding is critical at this stage. Start with high-protein diets (35–40%) such as floating pellets, which allow easy monitoring. Feed small quantities 2–3 times daily to avoid waste and water pollution. As the fish grow, gradually adjust their feed size and frequency. Feeding is where you determine how fast your fingerlings mature into juveniles.
4. Maintaining Water Quality
Fingerlings are extremely sensitive to poor water conditions. Ensure dissolved oxygen levels are adequate by installing aerators or using water agitation methods. Monitor pH (6.5–8), ammonia, and nitrite levels regularly. Clean water supports strong immunity and prevents disease outbreaks.
5. Stocking Density Management
Overcrowding causes stunted growth, cannibalism, and high mortality. Maintain an optimum stocking density depending on your production system.
6 Disease Prevention and Management
There are a few diseases that cause huge losses if not quickly delt with. At an earlier stage the fish die easily if water conditions, poor feeding and even cannibalism.
To prevent spread always remove any sick one and isolate it. If it recovers you can reintroduce it back to the stock.
Where to Source Catfish Fingerlings in Nigeria and Current Prices (2025 Update)
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Introduction: Why Good Sourcing Matters
Sourcing healthy catfish fingerlings is pivotal to the success of your aquaculture operation. Starting with robust, disease-free stock maximizes growth potential, reduces mortality, and lays the groundwork for a more profitable harvest. Whether you're starting or scaling up, knowing where to source and at what price empowers your planning and budgeting.
Top Sources & Suppliers in Nigeria
- AfriShop—Offers “Ijebu Fingerlings Catfish” currently priced between ₦45 to ₦100 per fingerling, depending on size and stage 0.
- Afrimash—Sells Clarias spp and Heteroclarias spp fingerlings, juveniles, and jumbo sizes within the ₦75–₦195 range 1.
- Divine Fish Farm—Noted supplier across Lagos and Ogun states; although exact current pricing wasn’t listed, this farm is widely mentioned for sourcing fingerlings 2.
- JustinVille Resort (Lagos)—A breeder of high-quality, disease-resistant catfish fingerlings located in Ojo, offering reliable stock delivery 3.
- Local Classifieds (e.g., Jiji, Facebook)—Listings include as low as ₦10 per fingerling in Alimosho (Lagos) 4, and around ₦150 per fingerling in Ogun State via Facebook posts 5.
Current Price Ranges in 2025
Here’s what the market looks like in 2025 based on recent data:
- Low end (classified ads/local sellers): As little as ₦10 per fingerling—for example, in Alimosho, Lagos 6.
- Affordable bulk sourcing (older data but still referenced): Divine Fish Farm offered ₦15–₦25 per fish depending on quantity (2021 figures) 7.
- Mid-market (e-commerce): AfriShop ranges ₦45–₦100; Afrimash lists ₦75–₦195, depending on size class 8.
- Retail averages: LimaFeedPelletizer reports average prices between ₦10–₦15 per fingerling 9.
Tips for Buying Quality Fingerlings
- Check credibility: Reputable suppliers like Afrimash, AfriShop, Divine Fish Farm, and JustinVille tend to offer consistent quality and delivery options.
- Compare prices and quantities: Bulk buys (e.g. 5,000+ pieces) often lower unit cost—Divine Fish Farm’s past offer ranged from ₦15 to ₦25 depending on quantity 10.
- Inspect stock if local: When buying via Jiji or classifieds (e.g. ₦10 per fingerling), try to inspect stock quality to avoid disease or size variation 11.
- Consider delivery logistics: Platforms like Afrimash offer shipping options—local pickup, GIG Logistics, DHL Express—choose one that preserves fingerling health 12.
- Ask about strain and health: Some suppliers like JustinVille emphasize disease-resistant strains 13.
Further Reading on Your Farm Journey
Once you've locked in sourcing, you may want to explore other critical aspects of your fish farming venture:
- Looking for guidance on pond management and growth stages? Check out The Ultimate Guide to Catfish Farming.
- If you're thinking ahead to planning and profitability, this business plan resource will be invaluable.
- Planning a lean start? Explore how to begin with minimal capital at How to Start a Small-Scale Catfish Farm.
- Concerned about stocking density and growth optimization? This earlier post on optimizing stocking density has strategies worth adapting for catfish.
Conclusion
In 2025 Nigeria, catfish fingerling prices range widely—from 45 to 100 per one. While table size fish are sold from 4000 naira to 6000 naira.
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