Tips on How to start an Indoor Fish Farming Business

Indoor fish farming is gradually becoming common more than the usual open or outdoor fish farming.

Indoor fish farming was established so as to reduce some bad conditions like weather and climate change that normally affects the fishes. It a good home-based business and requires much capital to set it up.

In most cases, some countries use this method to produce over 80% of fishes due to its benefits. Starting this type of fish farming will enable you to make sure that your food is been grown with the use of natural organic methods.

And there will also be a large provision of freshly grown fishes for your family and community.

Below are some tips that will guide you better in this farming practice.

1.   Set up a Farms and Ponds

In starting this indoor fish farming, it is important to choose whether you want a small or large scale of business. Then you are planning of starting small; then if you have enough space in your home, you create out some part for the business.

So whether you are starting on a small or large scale, ensure that you lookout for a good fish tank, though you make use of the plastic containers, you have to make that it is big to contain a good number of fishes.

It is advisable that you engage one who is an expert in the construction of fish pond or you visit other fish farms to have an insight into the specification and the necessary equipment needed in constructing fish ponds.

You must try and avoid pond leaks, pond dikes, a shallow depth that might result in additional construction and maintenance costs.

2.    Get the Best Juvenile Fish

You can grow as many fish you want in this type of fish farming. But it advisable to ensure that you buy the best juvenile fishes from reliable suppliers that grow their fishes in a natural environment. This will enable you to preserve healthy fishes from chemicals. 

 You have to bear in mind that the quality of fish in fish farming determines the success and failure of your business. Avoid buying juveniles that has a bloated stomach, white patches on their head and also a dull disposition.

A healthy juvenile swims actively. So it is always good to have about 2-3 reliable hatchers that you buy your fingerlings from, in order to ensure a good fish farming business.

3.    Fish Feeding and Management

Fishes require some major things that contribute to its survival and some of them are food, adequate light, and electricity, including others.

You can reduce expenses in using electricity all the time by making use of glasshouses that can help in providing enough light to the fishes. 

In fish farming, feeding plays an important role. It is important to provide nutritious, fresh and high-quality food to your fish for proper development.

High-quality fish food helps to enhance fish production, thereby making the fish healthy.

 All the fish types are expected to be given food many times. Also applying some potassium permanganate solution, salt and chemicals can also help to prevent and remove diseases from the fish pond.

In order to get a high fish production, it is advisable that you keep your pond environment clean.

4.   Get the Equipment Needed

To start an indoor fish farm, you are required to dig a fishpond or you can collect some fish tanks or containers for your indoor fish farming. You should also get water from a reliable source. So once you have a pond or container setup, then it is required to get the juvenile fish and some fish feed.

If you are planning on a large scale indoor fish farming, then you need to get additional equipment like pumps, Aquarium or fish tank, water testing equipment, net or seine reels, aeration devices, handling, and grading equipment.

5.    Source of Water Supply

The source of water supply for fish ponds is very necessary for the growth and proper development of your fish farming for commercial use. It is advisable to have a good borehole system in the area in order to ensure a reliable source of water.

This becomes more critical with the fact that the water supposed to be changed on a regular basis because the proper adequate water supply to your fish pond would ensure the survival of the fishes.

You should also know that rainwater and water treated with the chemical are not good for the fish farming process. They are unsafe for fishes and cannot be suggested for standard use.

And also, you have to ensure you have a means of filtering the water they take because it will help to boost the quality of the water that is free from toxins.

At the interval, their water can be tested with the testing kit, in order to make sure that it has normal pH levels. So do ensure to get a steady flow of freshwater, so that your fish can develop well.

6.    Get Training

In starting up a fish farming business, you need to get involved in a fish farm for good apprenticeship. For you to learn it very well, it is required that you undergo at least two months of training on fish farming.

This is actually the most essential thing to know. You must have a good knowledge of how to establish an aquaculture business.

You can also visit some fish farms in your area to connect with who have entered in to fish farming before you. The internet is also another source of knowledge, you can find more about aquaculture and fish farming from the internet.

So it is advisable to ensure you do whatever it takes to obtain direct knowledge about the business. You can also consider taking a part-time job at a local fishery, as it will help to gain more experience in the fish farming business.

7.    Set Your Goals

It is important to set your goals before embarking on any business of your choice. You have to know the number of people you will need, how much capital that is needed, what you are going to produce and how much you are expecting from the business. It is necessary that you understand your goals from the onset.

Preparing a business plan will help you to fully understand your business, help you choose the best location, get the required government documents or license. You will also need business planning, in order to get a loan from the bank and get investors.

8.   Feasibility Study

In starting up a fish farming business, it is important to carry out a feasibility study. It is necessary because you need to equip yourself with some things in order to achieve a positive result in fish farming.

 You need to consider the location, cost of equipment, cost of labor, cost of feeding the fishes, cost of fingerling, the type of water, distribution and marketing before embarking on indoor fish farming.

Feasibility study on the market will help you know when your fishes are needed and when you are supplying. It also provides the farmer with an overview of what is required to know about the fish farming business.

9.    Market your business

Setting up a business needs a good marketing strategy. It is good to study your prospective markets on how you can sell your fish. You should look for the market that has a high demand for fish, most especially the fish species you are into.

 In marketing your fish, always make sure to let your customers know that your fishes are been grown and raised with natural methods. The marketing plan will aid you to produce more goods and services to your farm in order to meet the demands of your customers.

You can easily go to restaurants and stores around you, try and develop a good relationship with them.

They will be willing to buy from you on a regular interval, whenever they need fish. You can easily sell your fish in the nearest fish market, and some business companies in the market can help to transport your fish to other countries.

In Conclusion

This kind of fish farming has some difficulties while establishing it because it is more costly to operate than the outdoor method.

But engaging in this type of fishing has its own advantages such as preventing your fishes from escaping and also aids in fighting and protection from diseases spread. Indoor fishing does not require much management and lots of water.   

Setting up an indoor fish farming system helps to reduce their chances of being infected by diseases, insects and pest attacks. Before embarking on this farming business, it is advisable to try to work with another fish farm to gain more experience.

Also do ensure to consider all these tips listed above and decide whether fish farming is the best business to engage on.