Speaking at a catfish seminar organised by De Heus Ghana Limited in Kumasi, Mr. Schoonhoven emphasised that minimising stress in farmed catfish could result in higher survival rates, improved health and ultimately increase profitability.
The seminar brought together over 70 catfish farmers and feed distributors.
Mr. Schoonhoven spoke on catfish Anatomy and Production, Feeding Management, Biosecurity and Diseases to equip catfish farmers to enhance good productivity.
Mr Schoonhoven explained that stress fish arises from unfavourable conditions such as over-stocking, overfeeding, poor water condition, poor handling, feeding fish with rancid feed, using uncleansed farm tools and others
He noted that stress compromised the immune system of fish, making them vulnerable to disease pathogens which already existed in the water.
He listed Aeromonas Hydrophila (ulcer or red sore disease), Crack Head disease (deficiency of vital nutrients in feed), and Jaundice (yellow colored fish) as some of the diseases of catfish.
Mr Schoonhoven also highlighted warning signs of illness in farmed catfish such as lack of appetite, abnormal swimming, as well as rubbing behavior and advised farmers to avoid stress-inducing practices to prevent disease outbreaks that could lead to high mortality and significant financial loss.
As most catfish farmers complained of lack of market for the catfish when harvesting time was due, Mr Schoonhoven advised farmers to add value to their products for better sales.
He noted that smoked catfish involved a short farming period and less feeding, and catfish for point and kill required a longer farming period and more feeding.
Due to this, Mr Schoonhoven urged the potential catfish farmer to consider the type of catfish farming system, the cost of feed and possible value addition and the market before venturing into catfish farming.
Participants at the seminar appealed to De Heus Ghana Limited, producers of the Koudijs feed brand, to consider subsidising their products to make them more affordable to farmers.
GNA
