Catfish (Clarias) command more market price than others that could be raised because it is consumed by the vast majority. It is used especially in the preparation of pepper soup which is a delicacy to a lot of people. So in the choice of which type of fish to raise, I will strongly recommend the production of catfish more than the others.

Other Popular Fish Species to Consider

1. Blue Nile Tilapia

The Best Specie of Fish to Raise for Profit

This hybrid, sometimes sold under the name Rocky Mountain White tilapia, is one of the most popular varieties for small scale aquaculture systems.

They are fast-growing, disease-resistant, tolerant of poor water conditions, very tasty, and quite beautiful. Optimal water temperature: 75 to 85 degrees. Time to reach one pound: 5-7 months.

2. Other Tilapia

There are various colors of tilapia to choose from (gray, gold, orange), though this refers to the scales, not the flesh. Other than that, the differences between them are relatively minor.

Note that certain tilapia varieties are restricted in states where they are considered an invasive species. Optimal water temperature: 75 to 85 degrees. Time to reach one pound: varies.

3. Catfish

These bottom feeders are super tough and adapt to a wide range of water conditions. Some people object to the strong flavor, but like other aspects Southern cuisine, catfish is having a bit of a moment – the key is how you season it.

Optimal water temperature: 75 to 85 degrees. Time to reach one pound: 8-10 months.

4. Perch

There are a variety of perch suitable for small scale aquaculture, though yellow perch, a native of the Great Lakes, is the most common. They grow faster than most other perch, but still not as fast as tilapia.

Unlike tilapia, perch thrive in cool water, and can overwinter outdoors in cold climates. Optimal water temperature: 65 to 75 degrees. Time to reach one pound: 16-20 months.

5. Carp

Though not a popular dinner item in North America, carp are one of the most widely consumed fish throughout the world. They are extremely tough, fast-growing, and help to maintain good water quality in your tanks.

Check local regulations as certain varieties of carp are considered invasive in many states but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t raise them, but you might need a special permit to verify that you’re keeping them in a way that prevents them from escaping into the wild.

Optimal water temperature: 70 to 80 degrees. Time to reach one pound: 4-6 months.

6. Hybrid Striped Bass

It’s possible to raise other types of bass in small scale aquaculture systems, but this is the only variety commonly used, as it has been bred for such conditions, and is much hardier, adaptable and fast-growing compared to the various wild bass species.

It also has a milder flavor than wild bass, and has become quite common in North American grocery stores. Optimal water temperature: 65 to 75 degrees. Time to reach one pound: 12-16 months.

7. Trout

Trout grow slowly and are a bit temperamental to raise, but their excellent flavor may be worth the time investment needed to learn how to raise them successfully.

They’re tricky: Not only do they require cool temperatures, which can be hard to provide in summer in a small-scale tank system, but water quality needs to be top notch, too. Optimal water temperature: 50 to 60 degrees. Time to reach one pound: 10-12 months.

8. Salmon

Salmon have similar requirements as trout, but are even more sensitive to poor water quality. An added complexity is that they are typically raised from eggs, rather than fry or fingerlings, which requires a bit more technical knowledge to pull off.

Optimal water temperature: 45 to 55 degrees. Time to reach one pound: 16-20 months.

Choosing the Right Kind of Fish

Deciding on what species of fish to raise is very important. There are a wide variety of fish you could grow at home using aquaponic systems. Choose a suitable species that grows in your local climate.

It will also depend on how much space and budget you have. If you live in a cold area, where your pond can freeze in the winter, consider a pond size deeper than three feet, and also install a water heater.

Koi is ideal for cold weather, while tilapia don’t grow very well in cold climates. Several species of trout are suitable for winter fish farming. Barramundi is an ideal fish for the warmer months during the summer.

5 Commercial Fish Types For Productive Fish Farming In Africa

In this post, we try to present the commercial fish types that are suited and fish farmers in Africa raise.

1. Tilapia

Tilapia is a tropical fish and one of the popular fish farming in Africa. They are high in protein, large and have some incredible growth capabilities. Tilapia thrives well in water temperatures between 28^oC and 30^oC.

The main challenge with tilapia management is that they reproduce rapidly. If you do not manage the situation well, it will increase competition among the fish and may lead to stunted growth. Tilapia prefer cereal-based diet, to eating other fish.

2. Catfish

They are one of the more sustainable fish specifies for fish farming purposes. Catfish raised in inland tanks or channels are safe for the environment since their waste and disease are contained and not spread to the wild. They are mostly farmed in fresh ponds and are good for warmer climates.

Catfish is popular for its health benefits and high market demand. The most prominent catfish species for farming are the blue catfish, flat head catfish and channel catfish.

3. Salmon

Salmon is also a very popular fish species. The Atlantic salmon is the commonly farmed. Chinook and Coho are the other varieties of the Pacific. They vaccinate the farmed salmon to prevent disease outbreaks.

On rare occasions, they need additional medications. To prevent salmon from feeding on wild fish, the salmon feed is made. This helps to conserve wild fish stocks.

4. Tuna

Tuna is also one of the commercial fish types very important in the commercial fish farming industry. The tuna fish are saltwater fish. The species of tuna include; yellowfin, albacore and bluefin. Tuna fish farming is complex. This is because the fish are big and very active.

This makes simulating their natural environment very difficult. That is why most tuna humans consume are caught in the wild, raised in a facility for them to gain weight. Tuna eats other fish and are typically raised in net pens offshore and in recirculation systems.

5. Eel

Eels are a carnivorous and catadromous fish ie they migrate from fresh water to the sea to breed. They spend 8 to 30 years in freshwater before they migrate. Eel farming is very popular in Asia, with China, Japan and Taiwan as the leading producers. You can do Eel farming in high-intensity recirculating tanks or intensive pond facilities.

The list of commercial fish types for fish farming in Africa is not exhaustive. We would like to know if there is a popular one we did not talk about. Please use the comment box below.