Boal fish is generally a freshwater fish species and is mainly found in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Afghanistan, and Vietnam.
Wallago Attu or boal fish farming is not a popular or common business. It is cultured commercially mainly in the areas where it is highly available.
Naturally, the boal fish can be found in freshwater lakes, swamps, or in large rivers. But if you can raise the fish commercially on farms.
Then you will definitely be able to make a good profit. Because both demand and prices of the boal fish are high in the market.
Fish farming is already a common practice in some parts of the world. For example, as reported by National Geographic,
India has been successful in cultivating freshwater fish such that they can feed the local people while simultaneously reducing the waste onshore.
Until recent years, anglers were forced to throw away their catch because of the lack of markets for their catch.
Characteristics of Boal Fish
This type of farming is known as “boal fish farming” in the Philippines and “sukiyaki farming” in Vietnam.
It aims to produce high-quality fish at a low cost and with a lower environmental footprint than traditional aquaculture methods.
- A boiled fish farm is an enclosed ecosystem, where the water housing the fish is constantly monitored for the environment’s well-being. Five key characteristics make this farming attractive for those interested in pursuing it:
- the farm uses a fully-closed system to reduce the release of foul-smelling fish wastes into the environment;
- it can be carried out in both freshwater and brackish water;
- it requires less investment and maintenance compared to other forms of aquaculture;
- the survival rate of the fish is high, and they grow faster, reaching marketable size in as short as three months;
- its yield is more than twice as much compared to traditional farming methods with a comparable volume of water used.
How To Start A Boal Fish Farming?
Those interested in this type of farming should first look for a location where the water is not too polluted and suitable for fish cultivation.
It would also be good to find a location with a constant supply of water, as fish will not thrive if it’s often too dry. Besides, wildlife and environmental protection must be considered.
This type of fish farming can be conducted in various locations, including ponds, flooded rice fields, canals, and areas with a shallow seafloor.
Those who are starting out and want to experiment may want to put their new business in the backyard until they’re able to get enough fish without having to expand their area of operation.
It is also vital that prospective boal fish farmers be aware that there are different types of boat fish, which means they may have to research before getting started.
Classification of Boal Fish
There are three main types of boal fish: catfish, carp, and tilapia.
Shovelnose Catfish (Clarias batrachus) is commonly found in the Philippines. They can be obtained at a low cost, and they’re easy to breed.
They’re also known for their high protein content, as a catfish only needs to eat every three days to produce its weight in protein per day!
A single shovelnose catfish can fit into a 10-quart container. The fish can grow for about 15 to 25 years, at which time it is ready for harvest.
Pond Selection & Management
For the fish to thrive, it is essential that the temperature of the water is kept at 27° Celsius and that the level of dissolved oxygen is maintained at above 6.0 mg/l. In addition, a constant supply of clean water should always be available to the fish farm.
Fertilizers and pesticides should never be used in this type of farming to harm fish. Fertilizers are also known to promote weed growth, which can be detrimental to the farm’s productivity and profitability.
Boal Fish Farming Financing
A typical boal fish farming operation can be conducted at the cost of Php 1,000 to Php 3,000 per month. These costs include the purchase of materials, food and water treatment, and labor.
For instance, a typical setup for catfish is to buy a 20-foot container for about Php 3,000 and then add two aircon for about Php 1,000 to help cool the fish.
Breeding of the fish should take place in mid-year
A minimum of 50 shovelnose catfish should be purchased per month during the breeding season, from May to July.
The fish are then placed in 500 to 1,000 liters of water per container and are forced to breed with each other. Fish farmers should also not forget that they need to feed their less productive fish every three days to continue producing.
Proper maintenance and management are critical to a successful boal fish farming operation. This includes ensuring that the fish produces a sufficient amount of eggs that can be harvested and fed to the breeders.
In addition, it should also be remembered that their tanks need to be scrubbed and disinfected regularly to prevent the spread of disease.
Boal Fish Farming Waste dump
The water used in these farms is typically returned back into local bodies of water as they may contain dissolved oxygen and unwanted metals, such as cadmium.
Using Lime & Fertilizer
To make the farm’s water heavily rich in nitrogen, separate 5-gallon jugs with 2,000 pounds of lime and 500 pounds of fertilizer. Let the water sit in this container for about 24 hours, then put it into a fish tank for about three days.
For the fish to thrive and breed, various other conditions should be set before them. These conditions would include naturally having clean water circulating freely in their environment and having a sufficient supply of oxygen.
The pH levels of the water should also be checked to see if they’re at an acceptable level; if not, steps should be taken to change them.
Diseases And Parasites Of Boal Fish
For the fish to live healthily in captivity, they must have a healthy tank or water body to thrive. Fish farmers can prevent disease and parasites by creating a clean environment with good water quality.
Harvesting & Marketing of Boal fish
The fish are ready to harvest after about six months. They may be sold as a whole fish, or they can be set on ice and later frozen for later use.
A total of 30-35 shovelnose catfish can be harvested per container per month.
The average market price of shovelnose catfish is around Php 100.00 per kilogram. This translates to an annual income of Php 120,000 to Php 150,000 per container.
To have a successful boal fish farming business, it is vital that the farmer properly takes care of his/her fish and their environment.
The farmer must also learn as much as possible about how everything works and how to operate safely and successfully.
Benefits of Boal Fish Farming
Here are The Best 10 Ideas for Boal Fish farming Benefit
1. It helps to reduce deforestation by using shade-tree instead of cutting down trees.
2. It can be a profitable business and very easy to operate.
3. It is more efficient because it uses less time to feed the fish than other types of fish farming.
4. It is sustainable considering that the local municipality can benefit from the income.
5. It helps farmers earn more by selling their fish at a higher price.
6. It is a perfect way of utilizing wildlife resources such as catfish, carp, and tilapia used as food in other parts of the Philippines.
7. It is a perfect way for people to learn about aquatic life and care for it.
8. It helps to preserve the environment of the Philippines.
9. It helps reduce poverty by giving jobs to poor fishers looking for fish farming instead of cutting down trees in farming areas.
10. Most importantly, it is a way of teaching children how to operate and maintain the facility to learn fishing skills and enhance their knowledge of aquatic life before they venture into fishing or hunting on their own.
Conclusion
Boal fish farming is a profitable business, and since it isn’t that time-consuming, it can be very lucrative for the farmers.
The success of this type of farming depends on proper management, good planning, and overall knowledge of the fish and its culture.
These are just a few ideas that will give you a great start in starting your own boal fish farming business.
Knowing these tips, you now have a better idea and perspective on what it takes to run one of the most profitable businesses in the Philippines!
