Industrial farming of pabda fish is gradually gaining popularity. In fact, pabda fish (also known as butter catfish or ompok pabda) is an Indian species of freshwater catfish which has a very good demand in the market, especially in the northern part -eastern India, Bangladesh and some other South Asian countries.
Pabda fish is very popular and has a very high market value mainly due to its fine meat with soft meaty texture, good taste, very high nutritional value and relatively low bone content. Pabda fish is usually sold fresh or canned in ice.
Pabda fish are commonly cultured in ponds with other cyprinids such as Rui, Katla and Mrigal (but it is not uncommon to see culture in shade and in desert ponds).
Commercial pabda fish farming is very profitable and can be a commercially viable venture for educated and unemployed rural youth. Although the cultivation of pabda fish has not yet received due attention, despite its great opportunities.
In the recent aquaculture scenario, the commercial activity of pubda has been neglected, mainly due to a lack of information on farming and larval rearing practices.
Although researchers are trying to change this situation. And we hope to get more information and modern methods of rearing and rearing pabda fish larvae for commercial purposes.
How to Start Breeding Pabda Fish
The fish farming activity in freshwater pond of Pabda is gradually becoming popular. We study and apply more modern systems for the commercial breeding of pabda fish.
However, here we try to elaborate on the systems of farming pabda fish in a freshwater pond.
Site selection
First of all, you need to choose a good location to start a pabda fish farming business. It will be better if the selected site will have no pollution and noise, and will also have full access to the sun. Even though it is small-scale production, you can choose any place or place to grow pabda fish.
Construction and size of the pond
The size of a pabda fish pond can be any size, depending on the type of land you have. You can even start growing pabda fish in small plastic or concrete tanks.
But for industrial production, it will be better if the pond is about one acre or less. An earthen/natural, plastic, fiberglass or concrete pond can be used to raise pabda fish.
Basin preparation
Once a pond has been constructed, it must be carefully prepared before placing fingerlings in it. The application of lime and organic and inorganic fertilizers in the pond is very important.
Fertilizing the pond helps in the production of natural food. The exact amount of lime and fertilizer depends on the intensity of agriculture and its own productivity. Please contact an aquaculture specialist or fishing facility near you for more information.
Seed collection
Pabda fish naturally breed catfish and you need to collect seeds from natural waters. There are several suppliers who collect seeds from natural water bodies and sell them to interested farmers. You can contact these providers in your area. Or reach out to people in your area who are already in the business.
Although today there are several plants for breeding and rearing pabda fry. You can contact one of the hatcheries near you for more information.
Seeding in the pond
After perfect pond preparation, you can lead the fry directly into the pond. As a species of catfish, pabda fish do well in high stocking densities. But for normal growth, you should harvest no more than 25,000 fingerlings per acre of pond.
some products
Pabda fish live and feed at the top level of the pond. They are omnivorous and usually eat protozoa, aquatic insects, barnacles, moss, etc. They also like fishmeal or other complementary fish food. Today, commercial pabda fish feed is also available in some places.
Harvest
You can expect to catch fish 10 to 12 months after stocking the pond. However, you can fish anytime it reaches the desired size. You can use fishing nets to catch pabda fish.
Marketing
Pabda fish is usually sold alive and fresh in the market. Therefore, try to send the fish to the market immediately after collection. This will guarantee a higher price for the fish.
The fish farming activity in Pabda requires relatively less investment and the profit from this activity is very high. Food and other expenses are less and you can start this business even if you are a beginner. The pubd fish farming business can create great opportunities for people, especially educated unemployed youth. Good luck and God bless you!
