Starting Fish Farming

Are you looking for answers on how you could start fish farming to pursue your interest and earn from it as well?

A guide is here to help you start what has always been just your dream. Learn the steps in starting a business that would be both enjoyable and profitable to you.

Farmed fish and shrimp make up roughly half of U.S. seafood consumption mainly because of an increased demand by the pubic for healthier food; fish is low in calories and cholesterol levels, but rich in protein. If you are interested in riding on this demand, fish farming can offer you an opportunity to earn.

Business Plan and few Basics of Fish Biz

Like any other business, you need to have a viable business plan before starting to invest money in fish farming. It is a business that needs careful planning and so a lot of literature and manuals on how to develop the business are available in printed and electronic copies. There are even softwares intended to guide entrepreneurs looking to start a business growing fish for commercial purposes. Basic in the planning process is the evaluation of economic, financial, legal and managerial considerations; time requirements; technical, water and other resources; and the potential of the venture to generate income.

Arranging Finance for your Fish Business

In making a business plan, one of the first steps you should do is make an extensive enterprise budget. This is particularly and especially important when you are borrowing capital for your fish farming business. Yes, you can avail of financial support from lenders and government agencies depending on the nature of your aquaculture venture. Guides and literatures on the subject offer rough estimates of startup costs depending on many factors. One thing sure is, it varies from place to place and would factor in the cost of construction, maintenance costs, and additional structures cost. Your initial estimate is the sum of the individual costs. Increase this by 10 to 15 percent for contingencies and you get the final estimate.

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Choosing Location for Fish Business

The next important question is where to locate your project. In the fish farming business, project site conditions will largely determine your yield and so correct site selection and design will be the key to your success. Complete size analysis is needed and there are teams of experts that offer their services in this aspect. It is considered a good investment to hire them to determine whether the project is feasible in your chosen area.

Marketing and Selling of Fishes

Part of your plan will be the marketing of the produce of your fish farm. You can sell fish products to restaurants, supermarkets. Usually, you would call fish buyers and inform them of the species of your products and their sized and offer them at a certain price. When the terms are agreed, you have to box and pack your product in fresh or chemical ice and ship them to your customers. Delivery is preferred to be within 24 hours of harvest to ensure freshness. Regulations govern the quality of your produce, so you have to keep yourself informed of these.

Fish Business Licenses and Permits

Other legal requirements for fish farming include licenses or permits required to produce and sell fish. You also have to know restrictions on exotic fish species and disease inspection certification. Regulations are different from state to state. Constructing water impoundments, water rights, and the release of used water are also subject to regulations. These vary according to state and local laws.

For comprehensive technical, legal and economic guide, you can refer to publications about fish farming. They are widely available. Doing such research for your venture and for any project at that is on top of experts’ advice.

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50 Comments

  • john Nnaka said on August 9, 2009
    I have a great plan to start a fish farm here in Nigeria. i Don't intend to embark on the cat fish and tilapia breeds of fishes commonly seen around. i need an advice on what other species i could keep with in Nigerian climates.
  • Hajia Mairo said on September 30, 2009
    Would like advise on how to set up and run a fish farming and warm farming business in Nigeria.
  • ogadi said on October 19, 2009
    is fish farm biz profitable? i really want to go into it but am kinda scared!
  • MILLS said on November 9, 2009
    what is the step by step master plan for starting a fish farming
  • chukwuka augustine said on November 17, 2009
    i am in interest in fish farming biz. i am in enugu, nigeria, 08030926020
  • margaret said on November 25, 2009
    My country is Kenya, and am interested in starting a fish farm. What are the key steps to starting. My interest is in Tilapia as i have the market. Advice.
  • WAHAB BAYONLE said on November 30, 2009
    I need detail plan for fish farming in IKORODU, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA
  • Victor Ochada said on December 7, 2009
    I please need a step by step approach on how to start a fish farm in KADUNA Nigeria. This is urgent and very important please.
  • sindhu kumar said on December 10, 2009
    i am interested in fish farming. so i need knowledge to related with like, at least capital need for it, about pond, about fish, about market.
  • asif said on December 24, 2009
    i am from pakistan and want to start fish farming business. please guide me step by step, how i take step forward? waiting for your kind reply
  • joseph said on January 21, 2010
    i want to start fish pond in big way though i have some which rearing already but i want to know the kind of food with which i can use to feed the fish as to enable them grow quick, and also some other necessary equipments which i need to add as well, i so much like the business because the little that i have done really give me more money than i expected, so please i look forward to get your reply,
  • mark said on February 9, 2010
    joseph, call me on 08035309232, engr louis
  • isaiah toby said on February 13, 2010
    Hi, i am isaiah toby please i will like to start my farming business. i love fish farming and piggery. please supply me with all information i need to know through my mail. tobi4show @yahoo.com. i based in ibadan, oyo state, nigeria. thanks
  • ESUKU said on March 11, 2010
    I go to school in Bayelsa state, and i love to start fish farming, how do i start and how much do i need to start
  • babatunde daniel said on April 22, 2010
    i want to know the basic fundamentals of fish farming biz. i reside in ikorodu, lagos nigeria
  • oyedele sulaimon said on April 24, 2010
    am a student and abt finished my bsc. so i have interest in fish farm and poultry product like Turkey, pullet and broilers. how can i start it, pls mail me back bcos am Electrical student. i stay at ibadan
  • peter kaia said on April 27, 2010
    am private fish farming consultant with extensive experience in all aquaculture activities. I will glad to help you realize profitable fish farming by offering technical advice and good management practices. am from kenya
  • purushotham said on May 19, 2010
    We would like to set up a fish farming business in Oman. If you can advice us type of fish and technical advice on this project. thanks, purushotham
  • Kirubel said on June 8, 2010
    I would like to start a fish farming business in Ethiopia. I am very much in need of some expert advice on the type of fish that can be farmed given it's location. Thanks Kirubel
  • AMY said on June 13, 2010
    I would like to start a Fish farming business in Mali/Bamako. The primary types I am interested are Tilapia, Carp, and catfish. I need advice about how to get started. Thanks
  • Wade said on August 8, 2010
    I would like to start a Fish Farm business in Trinidad and Tobago, Tilapia is the fish i want to farm. Is there any step by step information to get me started. Thanks Wade
  • Sshah said on January 30, 2011
    I want to start trout & other fish farming business in srinagar kashmir india on river whos daily out put is 500 to 1000 kg or more, ranging from 0.750 to 1 kg each fish pl. Let me know step by step i.e. 1. Location of site other then cited above. 2.construction of pond with no. chambers and other relevant details and total investment in two parts 1. Fixed capital 2. Working capital. Thanks. With regards. Sshah
  • Sami Al-Eitani said on May 15, 2011
    I'm in Medina, Saudi Arabia and I have a big land. I'm so interesting to establish a new fish farm project. The idea that we don't have sea or river and the marketing demand for fish is too high. Therefore, please help me how I can start my fish farm project with sea fish such as red snap. Best Regards, Sami Al-Eitani, Mobile +966 505 327851
  • KOMOLAFE ANDREW A said on June 28, 2011
    I am very interested about fish farming. In fact I can say from all other business I prefer fish farming business but in Nigeria many factors is affecting fish farmers and what can somebody do to overcome this factors. the factors are: Marketing and selling of fish, Capital aspect of as a fish farmer one need money to up grade the farm. hope to read from you. Komolafe Andrew.A
  • tahir said on July 26, 2011
    Dear i have to start my fish farm and for that i have prepared the site,now i have to get the fish which is also coordinated and i would like to get your assistance to guide me as far as their feeding is concerned that what all should be included in their feed and timings for their feed
  • Kelechi said on January 9, 2012
    Is there any license a fish farmer would have to acquire before setting up a fish farming business in nigeria?
  • Javeed Ahmad said on February 6, 2012
    hi i am from srinagar,i have recently completely my PG in finance i want to open a fish farm in j&k. can u please tell me the cost involved in it, is it a profitable business, please guide me as i am the new comer in this industry, looking forward for a positive response with warm regards. javeed ahmad
  • Hilal Al-Rawahi said on March 16, 2012
    I am from Oman, AlBattina region. I am looking for an investor to start fish farming in my farm here. I already started a small scale follow fish in a concrete ponds which is promising for development. I have read a comment from Purushotham( 18) above and would like to know his interest.
  • Adeola said on June 29, 2012
    I want to start a fish farm in Nigeria. I don't want to emback on just Tilapia and cat fish breeds alone. What other type of species can I get and keep with Nigerian climate?
  • seye abraham said on September 24, 2012
    Am already a fish farmer, I want to know what i can be given to my fish in order to grow very well and to advise on the management of changes water and drugs to give them like vitamin and general advise that will lead to profitability am from Airport Road in Lagos ,Nigeria
  • Mohamed Goumaa said on October 15, 2012
    I am a civil engineer and have seen a farm on BBC made in Wadi Al Natroon desert in Egypt for Seabass. I wish to find an investor who has the experience, whether an individual, a company or organization to partner with for a successful well studied farm fish. I can be of a great support to carry the management responsibility being experienced in understanding any new technology and procedures with full attention to cost and profit control. I can also partner with valuable share. If you think you are the right entity, please contact. M.Gomaa
  • danile girma said on February 1, 2013
    hi i want to make fish farming in pond what is ur advise ethiopia
  • Anna Patrick said on March 2, 2013
    I want to start a fish farm in Anambra State, Nigeria, i want to know if there are other species that i can grow that is different from tilapia and catfish
  • Ezeaku Utonwa said on April 2, 2013
    am Michael from Enugu State Nigeria. I am a final year student of fisheries and aquaculture in the federal University of technology Owerri, Imo state. I think with my knowledge so far, i can help. You can cal me on +2348038341548:
  • Charleston Chin said on April 5, 2013
    Hie. I'm from Malaysia. I have a piece of land approximately 2.3 acres with ready cement cubicles for raring frogs, fish, etc. Around 100 of them. Previously used for tilapia farming. There are still many tilapia fry in the thanks. Anyone interested,please let me know to start a joint venture. I have no experience and expertise in this area. Thanks.
  • ARABIAN GULF CO. said on April 6, 2013
    we are local company in Oman we have license in commercial fishing we need Chinese company with vessels to come to oman
  • Fridah Banda said on May 22, 2013
    Hi am from Lusaka Zambia, and I want to start a fish farming business but I don't have the professional know how on the subject matter. Any help will be much appreciated.
  • babrgasawewa said on June 30, 2013
    hi am in sri lanka. i have fish farming business. but i nee d develop it. if u can invest as a partnership will be better. you can contact me 00966543668714 email, indikawa77@gmail.com
  • aklilu said on October 3, 2013
    Hello! my name is Aklilu from Ethiopia and i want to start a fish farming business. I have no previous experience so How can i assure to begin? Thank for your help.
  • FDL said on October 8, 2013
    Hi, am in Tanzania and I much interested in the fish farming business. I have a piece of land of up to 4 acres with possibility of getting more land in case. I have no expertise or experience in this business. To my quick scan the venture sound lucrative. Any one interested to partner/advise? Please contact fluteganya@yahoo.com
  • Y. ANDRITSOS said on November 6, 2013
    Hi, I am from Greece. I am very much interested to help any serious investor for establishing sea cage farming as i have more than 10 years of experience in fish farming and degree diploma from England. (expert in fish farming projects). Very serious for a job proposition in S. ARABIA - EMIRATES - QATAR - BAXRAIN etc( contact: y.andritos@yahoo.gr)
  • jacky said on December 31, 2013
    I am looking for someone to build a fish pond in Bondo, Kenya
  • lilian bekee said on January 20, 2014
    pls I would like to know more on cat fish farming, tilapia and prawns in rivers state Nigeria please inbox me details on everything and where I can source materials from and web links to related materials. thanks.
  • Mebrahtu Hagos said on January 31, 2014
    Hi i am from Ethiopia and i want to start a fish farming business in Hawassa, Ethiopia, but i don't have much know how about it, so could you recommend me some steps that i have to go with? Thank you in advance.
  • mayowa seyi said on May 3, 2014
    hello, i'm planning to go into fish farming, majorly catfish. i would like to know what i need to know more about cat fish farming...please kindly shed more light on the business and how i can go about it..thanks by the way i reside in oshogbo, Osun State. Nigeria
  • anwar said on July 23, 2014
    in and around varanasi up india, fish farming specially prawn and shrimps farming details as to how to start what is needed
  • danny perseus said on August 12, 2014
    My names are Danny Perseus. I live in kenya, nairobi. I would like to start fish farming in mombasa. We have a 3 acre plot of which i would like to utilize for the fish farming however, i have no practical experience. I would like some assistance concerning costs, breed of tilapia etc.
  • Thurston said on September 22, 2015
    I am starting a business from America and want to provide food for poverty ridden areas in Africa. It will be launched in February but need more information. I want to raise fish and other animals and grow plants and give them to the public who does not have food. If anyone can help i would greatly appreciate it. My email is lgtcubillo@aol.com
  • Subhash Bhosale said on May 10, 2016
    I am interested in fish farming in my hometown village.I have my own land sufficient for it. Kindly give me the detailed information to start up the fish farming.
  • ikomi uti said on October 15, 2016
    please i would like to know the innovative ideas in fish farming production

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