How to Feed & Raise Catfish

Whether farmed for recreation or profit, catfish have been the fish of choice for hand-raising and feeding. They are neat, hardy, quick-developing (in less than a year) and when grouped with other smaller fish, they will not eat them. They have few enemies and are prolific, non-fussy eaters. When raised and fed properly, their meat is clean, white, and well-marbled. They are active jumping top-feeders for easy observation and hand-feeding above water. This produces a lot of enjoyable interaction between fish and humans.

Things You'll Need

  • Pond
  • Catfish fingerlings
  • Metal pipe
  • Hammer
  • Catfish food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a quality pond to support the fish. Ensure that the pond is on level land above the flood plain containing high quality water. According to William A. Wurts, Senior State Specialist for Aquaculture, Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program, ponds should be no smaller than ½ acre with varying depths of 2 to 10 feet.

    • 2

      Stock your pond with catfish fingerlings. They are generally 6 to 9 inches long, sold in containers of 50 to 100 and can be purchased at local commercial fish farms.

    • 3

      Temper your fingerlings by slowly adjusting them to the temperature of the water. Float them in their original container and slowly introduce pond water into it until the container water temperature reaches the current pond temperature.

    • 4

      Release the fingerlings by slowly lowering the container into the pond. Let them swim out on their own.

    • 5

      Train your fish to come to floating food. To get them to catch on quickly, bang on an immersed metal pipe every time you drop the feed into the water for a few days. Feed them all they can eat (a.k.a. satiation feeding) in about 15 to 20 minutes once or twice a day.

    • 6

      Harvest the fish when they reach a pound or two. This will take about 18 months to two years.