First thing you will need to start a home based fish farming business is some basic knowledge about raising fish. You will also need to learn about the business side of farming. To raise fish you will need some space in your backyard for digging a fish pond or space in your basement or anywhere else if you want to raise fish in containers. Fish can be raised in any kind of fish tanks, containers, and tubs. You could even raise fish in barrels.
You will need some basic knowledge about fish, so I would suggest that you get as much knowledge as you possibly can about fish farming. Below is a list of links that you may want to visit and learn about aquaculture. There is also a webinar video posted below, where you can learn about aquaculture.
Whether you decide to start a backyard fish farm or indoor container based, the more knowledge you have the better chances you will have to succeed in your home-based fish farming business.
What equipment do I need?
To start a simple home based fish farm you will need to dig a fishpond or gather some fish tanks or containers for indoor fish farming. Choose water from a reliable source. Your municipal supply water would be fine. Once you have your pond or container setup, get your juvenile fish and some fish feed to start.
For large scale pond based fish farms, you would need some additional equipment. A list of equipment is given below.
You will need the following for a commercial fish farm:
· Aquarium or fish tank
· Pumps
· Aeration Devices
· Net or Seine Reels
· Handling and Grading Equipment
· Water testing equipment
What should you consider before starting a fish farm?
It’s possible that after you have raised fish at home, you find aquaculture a profitable business for you and decide to buy more property and start to expand your farming program. You will need starting capital, commercial equipment, and more people to start a large scale farm.
There are many ways you could gather the necessary funding and help from others to get started. Make a business plan and prepare a feasibility report that calculates all your expenses and profits. This would help you to get bank loans and also to attract partners or investors.
If you are really enthusiastic about fish farming, you should try to get as much help as possible. Try to get a partner or work with another fish farm to gather experience at first. So, before you enter the aquaculture industry and start your own fish farming business, consider all possible factors and decide if fish farming is the best business for you.
I hope this article was helpful for you, in guiding you to the world of aquaculture business. Try to gather as much knowledge and resources as possible and get started with your own home based fish farming business.
By Chris Pemu
– Originally published in Nairametrics