Fish is a valuable dietary product. It contains a lot of microelements necessary for normal human life. Doctors emphasize that for the normal functioning of the body, each person must eat several tens of kilograms per year (over 30 kg) or approximately 80 g of fish every day.
True, there is still a clear shortage of fish products on the shelves of Russian stores. Our country's fishing fleet is small and outdated, and natural fish resources are gradually being depleted. Fish farming in Russia is just beginning, although the country has many natural reservoirs and plenty of opportunities to create artificial ones. In terms of water reserves, it is in second place after Latin American Brazil. A significant number of fresh water reservoirs provide opportunities for fish production.
There is only one question left - which one? How to organize your own business so that it brings tangible profit?
Fishing business
Any business is based on supply and demand. Fish farming as a business too. The demand in the domestic market is high. Nowadays, consumers demand a large volume of fish products not only from large enterprises, but also from private farms with their mini-farms. From a profitability perspective, fish production in a pond makes it possible to earn approximately 20% of net profit. Such commerce can be carried out in any region of the country, including central Russia.
At the same time, receiving fish allows you to spend a little time - about 3-5 hours a day are needed for care. And as a business, there is almost no risk of sudden changes in weather conditions or cold snaps. If you set up a business correctly, you can recoup the funds spent in a short period of time and achieve a sustainable income.
Selling fish
Of course, the production of fish products is not an end in itself. Selling fish is one of the essential factors of this business. The cost of fish products depends on cost, quality, type and demand. The most famous red fish is trout, its price is much higher than other fish, such as crucian carp, tench, etc., but the cost of such a product is significantly higher, and it is bought much less.
It’s no wonder that 70% of the live fish market is carp. Their cost is lower, but they are easier to sell. When you start your fishing business, be sure to look around the fish market and settle on the most popular fish.
You need to choose distribution channels, establish contacts with catering establishments (perhaps they will become regular customers), restaurants, cafes and supermarkets (many agree to cooperate with farmers if you have all the necessary permits). In the end, you can simply sell fish at the market.
Forms of fish development
The methods of breeding fish are quite diverse:
- Pond farming is the use of one basic reservoir to produce fish (this is enough for any species).
- Cage production of fish is especially effective for large specimens. With this form of cultivation, the producer uses a certain area of the reservoir, distributing the water sphere with cage lines.
- The pool method allows you to produce fish in artificial, relatively small reservoirs. They can organize everything for breeding freshwater fish species: predatory (pike, perch), herbivorous (bream, carp), etc. Some businessmen have mini-reservoirs in the form of small containers.
Artificial reservoirs
There are two main ways to breed fish in nature: in artificial (dug by man) and natural (created by the elements) reservoirs. The latter path is quite difficult to implement due to the cumbersome administrative barriers of the Russian bureaucracy. Renting or buying, for example, a lake is very difficult. Considerable time will be spent collecting papers and obtaining approvals from numerous authorities. And you can buy the right to lease a certain natural reservoir only after winning the announced competitive bidding.
An artificial reservoir is usually a pond. In Soviet times, collective farm ponds were up to 0.5 and even 1-3 square meters. km. What types of fish are suitable for breeding in artificial reservoirs? They usually grew crucian carp and carp; varietal species of fish were less common.
But ponds can also be small. Nowadays, small ponds with a water surface of 1-3 square meters are created on the territory of household plots. m. They do not require legal approvals. You can swim in them, use them for decorative purposes, or breed some fish “for the soul.” It can also be used for commercial purposes. After all, even such a reservoir allows you to generate good income. Fishing business can start on a small scale.
However, the pond owner must remember that there is a whole list of subtleties, such as water temperature, acidity level, volume of the reservoir, number of fish, etc. Ignoring the leading rules can lead to the death of fish. It is necessary to determine in advance the number of specimens and the species characteristics of the inhabitants that the entrepreneur is going to populate in the pond.
Pond requirements
What kind of fish to breed in central Russia depends on the characteristics of the pond. Have you decided to build on your own personal plot (preferably large)? Get ready for algae to grow in it - this is good free food for future residents. Peat and silt should not be left at the bottom of the pond, no matter what their quality. It is necessary to decide in advance that the reservoir is needed specifically for production and reproduction, and not just for keeping fish.
You can search for decorative parts of the pond according to your taste, but during construction it is necessary to determine some important factors when breeding fish: the most optimal volume of the pond is from 30 to 50 square meters. m, a smaller pond will be unprofitable, and a larger pond will be too expensive to construct and operate. It is necessary to dig a pond in a low-lying area with springs at the bottom; There must certainly be a shady place so that the fish can hide in it during the hot period.
It is better not to design a flat bottom for the pond, but to create areas with thresholds and long ledges. Any type of fish loves reservoirs with different soil characteristics and bottom depths.
Pond fish
To determine what kind of fish to breed in central Russia, you need to start with the type of reservoir you are choosing. An artificial reservoir has a unique microclimate that is not suitable for all types of fish. Standing water has less oxygen, it contains more microorganisms and various kinds of bacteria, small animals, including predators. The topography of the bottom, banks, and type of vegetation differ significantly from rivers. There is a lot of silt in them. Not all fish can live in an artificial reservoir. However, the types of fish for breeding in artificial reservoirs in our country are quite diverse.
Carp (carp)
Of the total number of commercial fish for obtaining marketable weight in artificial reservoirs, carp and crucian carp are among the most suitable. Carp (carp) is not particularly picky about living conditions; it feeds on small bottom organisms, algae, and fish food. Commercial carp grows within 3-5 years, standing out at a high speed.
A domesticated version of the carp is carp - a fish that quickly increases in size, has several species and is able to adapt to any conditions of the reservoir. Carp grows well in small, artificial and natural reservoirs warmed by the summer sun. Slightly alkaline water will be the most favorable for them. Carp can eat plant and animal foods. Carp can reproduce by the age of 4-5 years.
crucian carp
Crucian carp is also of great importance. It is also a fast-growing fish. Crucian carp is omnivorous and very profitable for crucian carp. Crucian carp is a well-known fish for production in the breeding tank. It chooses exclusively still water and feeds mainly on algae. Adults can weigh up to 5 kg. The fish is very hardy. But in winter, due to thick solid ice, it needs oxygen. It can be served using holes in the ice sheet.
Trout
Nowadays, trout farming is considered a promising business and allows you to earn quite good money. The popularity of trout is known; its price is consistently high (450 rubles/kg). The current situation is facilitated by the increased demand of Russians for this valuable variety of fish. In addition, fish in paid reservoirs is regularly gaining popularity. An increasing number of anglers prefer this type of fishing, since the likelihood of pulling a fish out of the water is high and the vivid feelings from this will remain for a long time.
To grow trout, breeding conditions must be properly organized. When the young trout reaches 1 year old, 500-1000 fish are placed in the pond.
A full-scale fish complex includes a hatchery, pools for fry, a pond for adult fish, feed rooms, refrigeration machines for fish products and other necessary technical buildings.
Large trout, which are fed for balyk production, are kept mainly in cages and ponds, occasionally in deep pools. Producing trout in tanks requires additional investment in proper equipment.
Most breeder fish reach the age of 3-7 years and weigh at least half a kilogram. Its activity during spawning depends on these two indicators of trout. If the breeding cycles are managed correctly, spawning can be done all year round.
To grow trout, the following conditions must be taken into account:
- the suitable water temperature for this fish is between 3-24 degrees;
- it is necessary to keep the water transparent and fairly clean, with a good oxygen content;
- In order to quickly increase weight, the fish must be supplied with a food base, which must certainly include all the necessary substances, microelements, vitamins and mineral salts;
- You definitely need astaxanthin - a compound with a natural carotenoid, so that trout meat gets a bright red color.
If such conditions are maintained, the trout will reach a weight of 2 kg in about four years.
Sturgeon
Breeding sturgeon is a fairly profitable and promising business. One kilogram of sturgeon reaches 20 dollars, and the cost of black caviar reaches 1000 dollars per 1 kg. It is easy to calculate how much profit there will be from such a business and its payback period.
Under home breeding conditions, sturgeon breeds develop much faster. If at first a young sturgeon weighs only a few grams, then after a year some individuals will weigh 1 kg, and their body length will reach half a meter. After two years of fattening, the sturgeon grows to several kilograms in weight. Manufacturers begin commercial sales of individuals at an average age of approximately 1.5 years and weighing 2 kg.
On a large scale in Russia, development is taking place near the river. Volga, where river water is used in the fish breeding pool.
Number of fish
Effective fish breeding will be possible if certain rules are followed. To begin with, the most correct thing to do is to determine the type of container, the ratio of the depth of the reservoir to the selected type of fish. Then the problem of the number of fish fry for the pond is solved. Overpopulation of a reservoir has a negative impact on business. If there are obviously a lot of fish, food overconsumption begins, and the water deteriorates faster. When calculating the exact number of fish in the pool, you need to allocate at least 50 liters of water per 1 specimen 10-15 cm long. Pay attention to the size of the fish. There will be much fewer sturgeon fry than, for example, crucian fry.
The deep pool creates ideal conditions for fish in the winter, while maintaining a more even temperature in the summer. But there are also disadvantages: at depth, the water can remain cold for the active growth of microorganisms - food for fish. The absorption of atmospheric oxygen will be less than that of a small pool with an increased surface water surface. Because of this, the life processes of the fish deteriorate.
Other characteristics of the reservoir
Pools for breeding fish of different species differ in terms of water surface, depth, water supply level, soil type and other natural conditions. They differ from natural bodies of water in the regulation of the processes taking place: growing selected fish, artificial feed, fertilizer, and so on.
Important reasons that largely determine the effectiveness of the development of residents of artificial pools can be temperature and chemical reactions. Some fish are thermophilic, while others, as a rule, feel great at low temperatures. Constant changes in temperature and acidity levels can be dangerous for some fish species. Measurements of the acid reaction of water, temperature levels, and determination of the volume of oxygen should be carried out quite often, especially in winter. Changing the level of acidity to reduce it is done by liming, adjusting the operation of lime filters and mills.
We must also remember to determine the compatibility of individual fish species with each other; some of them may compete for food.
In a properly created pond, fish will thrive and grow quickly.
Nutrition
It has already been mentioned more than once about food for fish. This is one of the most important factors in the stable growth of the inhabitants of the reservoir. Nutrition will depend on what kind of fish is bred in central Russia.
It should be noted that there is no universal approach to the principle of proper fish feeding. It's like asking about the best way to fish. In addition, a lot depends on the cultivated species, because all fish have their own food preferences. There are requirements for conditions of detention and assigned tasks. If a businessman wants to increase the growth rate of fish, then it is worth introducing a larger weight of protein-rich food into the diet. Fish do not expect large amounts of food. For example, to increase weight by 1 kilogram, food must have a value of approximately 4,500 kcal.
It is necessary to monitor the amount of amino acids in food, since they increase appetite and directly affect the rate of weight gain. They also prevent the occurrence of a large number of diseases in fish, especially in fry. The diet must also certainly include different types of fats; a lot of fiber (the weight of its consumption depends on the type of fish produced, the most required specific gravity is 20%, for certain species this level may be higher); biologically active compounds (these can be various enzymes or premixes); cereals (you can sprinkle bran into the food, they will be an excellent source of carbohydrates); important vitamin B; food of meat origin (special flour, low-fat dairy foods. Such a balanced diet will enable the fish to grow at a faster rate, improve its health and increase the rate of reproduction.
2018-01-25 Igor Novitsky 
By approaching the formation of the pond correctly, studying the water parameters and preparing everything for the launch of the fry, the owner will be able to grow the fish to the optimal size. Careful care and cleaning of an artificial reservoir will allow you to increase the amount of fish for sale, and therefore increase the volume of profit received.
At the moment, many experts in the field of fish farming consider the fishing business to be a rather promising area. Therefore, by creating conditions for its development, it is possible to solve the problem of providing the state with fish and help fish farms in such a difficult task as growing various fish species.
Previously, it was popular to breed fish in artificial reservoirs, but in this case, poachers prevented the growth and development of young and older individuals, which is why fish farmers began to engage in organized reproduction and cultivation of fish on mini farms and at home. But in order for fish breeding to be successful, a novice fish farmer needs to study the breeding instructions and adhere to all the prescribed rules. Without what will home fish farming not bring the desired results?
Home fish farming from scratch
The most important resource for growing any type of fish is water. The growth, development and health of young animals will depend on its quality.
Step one. Creation of an artificial reservoir.
Before you start creating a pond, you need to devote time to a complete analysis of the water, studying all the indicators and quality standards necessary for populating the reservoir with new residents.
For this purpose, it is best to contact Epidemiological Surveillance and ask specialists to conduct the necessary analyzes of the aquatic environment and give advice on improving it, if necessary. If the water quality does not meet standards, do not despair. It is enough to aerate and clean the pond and everything will return to normal.
Step two. Determining the quality of water resources.
The water in a fish pond must have the following characteristics:
- Optimal salt ratio;
- Regular and irregular temperature conditions;
- The total number of microorganisms living in it and PH;
- General transparency;
- The presence of minerals necessary for future fish;
- Color qualities;
- The ratio of gases dissolved in water;
If all these characteristics meet the stated standards, then it will be possible to grow fish without any problems.
Step three. Launching the fry.
Before you release the fry into the pond, you need to know what temperature conditions are suitable for the breed of fish you have chosen. There are fish that are more suited to cold water, and there are fish species that will only feel comfortable in warm water.
Cold-loving species include grass carp, carp, catfish, crucian carp, sterlet, silver carp, trout, peled, etc. Heat-loving fish need to ensure the water temperature is not lower than twenty degrees, and for those who prefer cool waters, from ten to twenty degrees. Wintering in a reservoir will also be determined by the species of fish.
Step four. Stages of growing fish.
In order to properly build your mini fish farm, you need to know that when growing fish, the stages of breeding are taken into account. First, the fish spawn, then the fry appear, followed by the wintering stage, the next stage of growth, and experienced fish farmers consider the feeding stage to be the last step.
Taking them into account, it is possible to clearly distinguish between these periods and create the necessary scheme for the growth and development of young animals and grown individuals. For each of these stages, it is best to equip your own pond or use plastic pools.
In a pool or spawning pond, fish farmers hatch fry from the eggs. The hatched fry are transplanted into a pond where they will grow. Upon reaching a certain age, they are placed in a nursery pond, where they will gain weight. When the generation gets stronger and there is no longer any need to worry about its health, it is transferred to a feeding pond, and for wintering a special wintering pond with conditions appropriate for fish is used.
In order for fish to grow and develop well, the water in the reservoir must be clean and enriched with oxygen. Also, it should not contain hydrogen sulfide and methane. To avoid their occurrence, the pond must be created in an appropriate area, which can be determined using a geodetic map. Also, the reservoir must have appropriate vegetation that will saturate the water with substances beneficial to fish.
Step five. Feeding.
Not only water plays an important role in growing fish, but also the use of appropriate feed additives. In order to grow healthy fish, it is necessary to use feed mixtures appropriate for each breed. They consist of fats, fiber, legumes, grains, proteins, minerals and vitamins that fish need. The secret of success is simple: in order for the fish to grow well, fish farmers fertilize the reservoirs and mineralize them.
For each age of fish, it is necessary to use their own feed additives, just as to boost immunity, they use therapeutic-stress food to help the fish cope with the disease and gain immunity to it. That’s basically all that fish farmers who decide to grow fish at home need to know.
Breeding fish at home as a business
For growing fish, the most important thing is water; without it, it is simply impossible to breed any of the fish species. It is for this reason that before deciding to grow fish at home, it is necessary to build a suitable artificial reservoir for it.
For this purpose, you can rent a state reservoir, but it is better to abandon this idea. Because it will take you a lot of time to obtain various permits and approvals, and in addition to all this, your “fishing place” will also be threatened by poachers trying to catch as much fish as possible in your reservoir. For this reason, it is best to forget about renting a pond from government agencies. Moreover, the cost of a business based on state lease will be very expensive for you.
Another option is to create an artificial pond on your country or summer cottage. Creating an artificial reservoir will also not be cheap, but it will still require significantly less material and stress from you, and you will also be one hundred percent confident in the reliability of your business.
If you want to breed fish for which fresh water is suitable, then you can use a polycarbonate greenhouse with a plastic pool installed in it. It is also necessary to purchase compressor and filtering equipment, which will cost three thousand dollars. If you can create such equipment yourself, you will significantly reduce the cost of equipment for the pond. But before you start creating or purchasing it, you need to find out exactly what equipment and materials you will need.
Pond equipment
Water purification in a reservoir should be done using a gravity filter. Installing it is quite simple and it will not take much of your time. It costs about five thousand rubles. It is used not only for water purification, but also allows you to remove microorganisms that cause water blooms and the appearance of mud.
In order to saturate the water with oxygen, compressor equipment is used. Its cost can reach ten thousand rubles. In order to prevent the water in the reservoir from blooming, sterilizers with ultraviolet diodes are used. To pump water out of a reservoir, you need to purchase a hydraulic pump (about five thousand rubles). You can also make it by assembling it yourself from tubes. In this case, the reservoir will be filled with water from underground sources and springs. Feeders can be purchased at stores that sell fishing tackle. Also, do not forget about drainage equipment.
Costs and technology of fish farming
The benefits of fish farming are obvious. On the market, let’s take sturgeon, for example, a kilogram costs about two hundred rubles. By buying fry or breeding them yourself, you can get up to a ton of fish per year, which is about one and a half thousand kilograms, which means three hundred thousand rubles.
By spending one hundred and fifty thousand on your fishing business, you can work off the costs in a year and still make a profit. The main thing is to find sales points and then you don’t have to worry about profits.
Of course, only those people who understand all the risks and are ready to take them can engage in fish farming, because this type of business is quite competitive. And if you are not ready to fight and breed really high-quality and selected fish, it is better not to start it.
And now, finally, you have made a firm decision to create your own fishery. What documents will you need? Since you will be starting a business, you will need to register your business. This will also require additional costs. You will also need a license to grow fish, which will need to be issued. And when you get the first "harvest", you will still have to go through product quality control and obtain special permission from the relevant structures.
What is the best fish to choose for breeding?
If the cost of creating an artificial reservoir is easy to calculate, then the cost of acquiring and growing fish is very difficult. It is for this reason that it is necessary to draw up a clear business plan.
The most unpretentious fish to eat and keep is carp. It is also affordable. When buying a ton of carp fry, you will need to spend about a thousand dollars. Moreover, this fish breed will not begin to multiply immediately, but only after three years. In addition, during the cold season, carp grow twice as slow.
In industrial terms, all varieties of sturgeon are considered the most profitable fish species. An adult sturgeon weighs on average five hundred grams. A kilogram of sturgeon sold wholesale will cost approximately ten dollars. In your artificial pond, you can grow about a ton of such fish in six months. And this means that this business can really be called profitable.
Growing fish at home on a mini-farm: how to organize it correctly?
If you follow all the above tips, then growing fish in your pond or pool is not a problem. This is exactly what farmer Mikhail Atamanov does, growing sterlet and trout on his farm in Yaroslavl. For a year he grows and sells up to ten tons of fish and is not going to stop there. According to him, such a business brings him not only tangible profit, but also pleasure.
In this material:
Fresh food is a topic that will never lose its relevance. Breeding live fish requires preparation at the start, but subsequently brings good profits to the farm owner. After studying specialized literature and making mathematical calculations, you need to draw up an individual business plan - a document that includes risks and provides justification for future profits.
Fish farming is the breeding of certain breeds of fish in artificial reservoirs while maintaining the necessary conditions. The steadily growing demand for fishery products suggests the prospects of creating your own fish farm. If opportunities allow, then in addition to breeding and selling live fish, you can organize its further processing (salting, smoking), and offer those who wish to participate in paid fishing.
Fish farming as a business: relevance
The presence of abandoned reservoirs that can be turned, through simple investments, into profitable fishing grounds, allows everyone who has at least some idea about it to talk about this business.
Demand for fresh fish remains high, especially in large cities. Due to the limited natural fish stocks, artificial breeding allows you to firmly take your place in the niche, gradually expanding your business. Proper housing conditions, selected food and protection from external conditions that threaten the death of young animals can increase the survival rate of fish to the maximum and ensure business profitability.
What kind of fish is profitable to breed?
Fish species that are unpretentious in terms of conditions and nutrition, quickly gain weight and have high taste qualities are used as objects for commercial breeding. The most common species found in fish farms are carp and trout, but in addition to them, you can pay attention to clarinet catfish, crucian carp, grass carp and others.
trout The optimal type of breeding for beginners is carp. These fish are unpretentious to food and living conditions, tolerate temperature changes well, grow quickly and gain weight. By the age of two, an adult reaches 1.5-2 kg. By 3-4 years it becomes sexually mature. The main breeds for fish farming are mirror, scaly, linear, naked, Ukrainian framed and Ukrainian scaly.
Trout are more sensitive to water temperature, food temperature, and oxygen content. If all conditions are met, a two-year-old individual weighs about 0.5 kg. For breeding, artificial insemination is necessary, since trout do not reproduce independently in the pond.
Fish farming technology
Before drawing up a detailed business plan for trout or carp farming, you need to decide several important questions for yourself:
- What will the fry be raised in? Most new fish farmers consider renting a pond, but containers or cages can serve as an alternative.
- How will the nutrition of the grown-up individuals be organized? Is intense feeding expected to continue, or is the fish released into the reservoir where it gets food on its own?
- What type of food is needed on the farm - plant food or live food.
- What measures need to be taken to prevent death in winter.
- Will antibiotics and other medications be used, and if so, which ones?
Artificial breeding
Feeding the fish
For breeding, 3 systems are used:
- Intensive involves feeding with compound feeds with a high protein content (up to 40%). Since in this case the population of the reservoir is quite dense, an additional supply of oxygen is required (aeration or increased water flow). This method makes it possible to significantly increase productivity by using the available reservoir to the maximum. Among the disadvantages of this method is the high risk of spreading diseases.
- Semi-intensive is based on feeding natural protein feeds, and carbohydrates are used as additives. The disadvantage is the weak growth of natural protein feeds in late spring - early summer.
- The extensive system is based on the natural nutrition of fish with natural feed. The costs in this case are minimal, but the weight gain is significantly lower than with the other two systems.
Depending on the body of water, there are several methods of growing fish:
- pond;
- cage;
- RAS (recirculated water supply installations).
Depending on the cyclicity, pond farms are:
- Full system. Full cycle from fry to adult fish.
- Fish hatchery. Fry, larvae and fingerlings are raised.
- Feeding. For the growth of adults.
The cage method involves growing fish not in water bodies, but in cages - fenced areas. The advantages of doing this way are obvious: a small place with the ability to use the rest of the reservoir.
Closed water supply installations
RAS The use of RAS is most promising for private fish farming. In this case, the influence of negative natural factors is minimized, since feeding, control of the technological parameters of the content are automated and clearly controlled.
The size and shape of the RAS module depends on the fish species chosen for breeding. To grow carp and trout, you need deep (more than 1.5 m) square pools with a conical bottom. The pool is filled before the fish are released and refilled with fresh water daily (up to 10%), which significantly reduces the overall water consumption. The water should be artesian - this eliminates the possibility of infection. The water at the inlet must be supersaturated with oxygen, the supply pipe must be buried so that the stream runs along the side.
Water circulation in the installation is carried out using sediment. Two mechanical filters provide cleaning: 1 retains physiological waste, 2 - biological film that occurs during biological treatment.
The settings allow you to adjust water temperatures (heating or cooling).
The population density largely depends on the type of fish; for trout, a density of up to 100 kg/m is permissible, and for carp - twice as much.
Nutrition is provided only through feeding.
Organizational plan
To achieve effective rearing performance, it is necessary to combine three main criteria: high stocking density, feeding and the use of high protein feed. In this regard, the important points are the choice of a reservoir, its improvement, the correct choice of the type of fish to be bred, and the purchase of fry.
But we need to start from the legal side of the issue.
Registration of fish farming business
There are three types of ownership suitable for private fish farming:
- Individual entrepreneurship. This choice is optimal if, along with breeding, another type of activity is planned (processing, for example).
- Peasant farm enterprise (peasant farm). Since fish farming is directly related to farming, this form is acceptable and most preferable, since it involves tax exemption and government subsidies at first.
- A limited liability company is suitable when the business has more than one founder.
OKVED codes:
- marine fish farming 03.21;
- freshwater fish farming 03.22.
The most convenient tax system is the payment of a single agricultural tax, which is calculated using the formula: income – expenses * 6%.
Renting a pond or installing a pool
To rent a reservoir, you must prepare project documentation and contact the district administration with an application. The lease agreement is concluded following an auction in which everyone can take part. If none are found, the auction is automatically considered invalid, but a lease agreement with the applicant can still be concluded.
To install a pool, you will need to conclude a similar agreement, but on a plot of agricultural land. The situation is similar, papers are signed based on the results of the auction.
If we are talking about installing a fish pool on your own property, then in addition to the design documentation you will have to drill a well with artesian water, only this is suitable for keeping fish.
Purchasing fry
Name of fish species for breeding in reservoirs To populate a rented reservoir, it must be cleared of the predatory fish living in it and the water must be made suitable for carp or trout to live in.
The fry can be purchased from another fish farm or raised independently from eggs. It is recommended for a novice fish farmer to buy fry. Before releasing the fry into the lake, you need to gradually accustom it to new living conditions, in particular to the water temperature.
During transportation, it is important to provide the fry with the necessary conditions. It is best to choose a fish farm located nearby. There are special vehicles for transporting live fish and fry - live fish.
The fry feed on maggots, bloodworms, worms, and bread.
Search for product sales channels
To sell live fish, permission from the SES is required. With the received documents, fish can be traded retail, at the market, or sold wholesale. Stores are not always ready to sell live fish, since they are not equipped with aquariums for keeping them. It is necessary to negotiate with specific points and ensure delivery to the place. However, it should be borne in mind that the price for wholesale purchases is significantly lower (approximately 30-40%) than for retail sales.
An equipped smokehouse significantly expands the capabilities, the sales period increases, and the process of storage and transportation is simplified.
In addition, the business of breeding fish in a natural reservoir allows you to organize paid fishing - benefit and pleasure at the same time. If possible, followed by cooking the catch for the client, on coals, on the grill, in the oven.
Financial calculations
Project costs Attachments
- registration of documents, rental of a reservoir - 1.3 million rubles per year (purchase - 220 thousand rubles);
- own transport – 1 million rubles;
- improvement of the reservoir - 0.5 million rubles;
- purchase of equipment – 0.5 million rubles.
Current expenses
- purchase of fry - 3 thousand rubles per month;
- advertising and marketing – 10 thousand rubles per month;
- wages and taxes – 200 thousand rubles per month;
- additional expenses – 20 thousand rubles per month;
- feed – 10 thousand rubles per month.
Income from sales and profit making
The fishery business plan, which brings 10 tons of fish per year, if sold at 120 rubles per kg, will give a profit of about 400 thousand rubles. It is necessary to add revenue from additional income - fish processing, paid fishing, overexposure of fish.
Profitability and payback period
The profitability of the business is 30-40% per year, the payback period is approximately 2 years. Having your own pond will reduce costs and significantly speed up the time to reach a net profit.
Breeding carp or trout is not an easy business; before you start implementing it, you should study the literature and learn the intricacies of the matter, using the experience of others. In this way, many mistakes will be avoided. First of all, as in any other area of farming, you need to understand and want to do this particular business.
Today, more and more people are starting to think about organizing their own business. The area of fish breeding in artificial ponds seems quite interesting.
Our article will discuss which species is best to choose for breeding, what conditions are needed for this, and how to properly provide them.
- Carp.
- Trout.
- Crucian carp.
- Carp.
Trout, carp and carp (the carp family) are considered highly productive. Fish is in stable demand among domestic buyers. Carp is easier to care for; trout is considered a “capricious” fish. However, it also costs more.
The choice of type depends on the climate of the area in which the reservoir will be located.
In addition, it is necessary to calculate the possibility of providing food. For example, crucian carp and carp feed on bottom microorganisms, algae, plant shoots. They have a very good attitude towards mixed feed.
Trout is considered a predatory fish; for its feeding, cattle organs (spleen, liver and other entrails) are used. She also feeds on shellfish, fresh small fish, and bird eggs. If you have your own livestock or poultry farm, it is more logical to breed trout.
Equipment and arrangement of the reservoir
Fish are bred either in pools or ponds. The easiest way is to build your own pond on your own plot of land. But there is also the possibility of renting a lake or a natural pond: the contract is concluded with the owners, most often these are federal authorities. The term of the contract is usually 20 years, but it can be terminated if the tenant does not properly care for the reservoir and the surrounding area.
Long-term lease is a risky venture, so it is better to organize your own reservoir on the site.
Pool
You can build it yourself or purchase a ready-made one. With your own construction, you will have to spend a lot of money and time for the installation of a Closed Water Supply Installation (RAS). Such equipment is necessary for breeding, since the density of "heads" in an artificial reservoir is much higher than in the usual habitat.
When purchasing a ready-made pool, you have the opportunity to immediately purchase a RAS and a mechanical filter included.
Pond
Artificial reservoirs (ponds) come in several types:
- Growing up.
- Foraging.
- Spawning.
- Wintering.
There is no particular need for spawning ponds, since a start-up business does not involve breeding fry; ready-made planting material is purchased immediately. And then comes the fattening of the fish. In fact, only the nursery pond is used.
How to make it:
- Dig a pit.
- Compact the bottom. Reservoirs can have an artificial or natural bottom. The artificial bottom is covered with film, tiled, cemented, and even car tires are used. If the soil is too clayey or sandy, it needs to be strengthened.
- Fill with water.
Don't start the fish right away. The water should warm up well and settle. Microorganisms will settle in the pond, creating a climate close to natural.
Dimensions and additional equipment
In small ponds, carp gain weight much faster than in large reservoirs. Trout requires complete saturation of the water with oxygen, so if it is bred in a pool, the installation of a RAS is mandatory. You also need to purchase a feeder.
The depth of the reservoir must be at least 1 meter. For trout - from 2 m. You should not build a pond that is too deep, as the water will not be sufficiently warmed by the sun and saturated with oxygen. Recommended surface area – from 4 meters.
In winter, reservoirs are not sufficiently saturated with oxygen; artificial aeration is necessary. It is also advisable to equip them with a gravity filter. Fully It is recommended to change the water 2 times a year.
Purchasing fish, feeding and care
Fry are purchased for breeding. The quantity depends on the size of the reservoir. It is worth considering that the fry grows at least 8 times during the season. During the breeding process, 10-15% of the fry die.
Experienced entrepreneurs recommend breeding fry yourself, i.e. carry out cultivation from larvae (fertilized eggs). This method is cheaper than purchasing fry, but this technology in any case requires many years of breeding experience and knowledge of the nuances. Therefore, it is advisable for novice entrepreneurs to raise livestock from fry.
Young animals need to be fed every 12 hours. It is wise to use automated systems that will supply power to the reservoir at the right time.
There are several types of feed:
- Starters (for fry).
- Productive (for building mass).
- Productive (before spawning).
- Pigmented (used for salmon to give the meat a distinct orange tint).
If the reservoir is open, then in some regions of the country it freezes for the winter. Under ice, the life processes in the fish’s body slow down as much as possible, therefore they don't feed her in winter. Only in spring, autumn and summer. If the pond is located in a warm climate zone, then the fish are fed in winter, but the dose is significantly reduced.
To determine the amount of food, tables are used that are provided by companies that sell fry. The table takes into account the average weight of the individual and the temperature of the reservoir; at the intersection of these columns the optimal weight of food is indicated.
Some nuances of feeding:
- In summer, when the temperature of an open reservoir rises to 25-30 degrees, you need to reduce the amount of feed.
- The daily dose cannot be given at once; it is better to divide it into several doses.
- It is not recommended to “overfeed” the fish; this will not give any practical effect. In this case, the water will be polluted not by the food eaten, but by toxic decomposition substances.
In addition to following the feeding regime, you need to monitor the health of the fish. Frequent diseases: rubella, gill necrosis, fungal infections. Epidemics can almost completely destroy the entire population.
To prevent the occurrence of diseases, water must be kept clean. In addition, when purchasing fry, you need to request a veterinary certificate to ensure that the material is healthy. Disease control of the population is recommended to be carried out 2 times a month.
Sales of products
Sufficient weight for sale of trout – from 500 g, for the carp family – 300 g. The larger the fish, the more expensive it is on the market. Therefore, you should not rush and try to sell all the livestock in a year. It is better to wait 2-3 years and get a good profit. Yes, this is one of the disadvantages of such a business - profitability does not come immediately. However, in the future it will bring constant and stable income.
Products can be sold in stores, sold to wholesalers, and sales can be negotiated with private entrepreneurs who own fishing points. Large supermarkets usually have aquariums with live fish for sale. It is also possible to sell it from the barrel in the markets yourself. But at the same time, you need to resolve the issue with the tax authorities and obtain all the necessary documentation.
Business seasonality and pitfalls
It is best to purchase fry in the spring. The fish grows intensively in the warm months; in winter, growth practically stops. In cold regions, stock in ponds hibernate. Peak sales occur in October and November.
If the climate of the region allows, then the goods can be “held” until the New Year holidays. However, it is worth taking into account the risk: fish lose weight during the winter, and even in warm areas frosts can hit.
If fish are bred in pools, it is necessary to purchase a power source - a generator - in case of power outages. The device will ensure uninterrupted operation of filters, aeration equipment, etc. This is especially necessary for breeding trout and salmon.
When growing different species, their “compatibility” is taken into account. Representatives of breeds should not compete with each other. Predators should not be added to “herbivores”.
Total costs
- Construction of a reservoir: swimming pool with RAS – 250,000 rubles, pond – 200,000 rubles.
- Additional equipment: separately RAS - 150,000, aeration device - 60,000 rubles, hydraulic pump - 15,000 rubles, feeders and other small things - 20,000 rubles.
- Cost of fry: 10,000-20,000 rubles.
- Food for 100 fish: 6,000 rub. per month.
The first year in business is the most expensive. We will have to invest the bulk of the finances for the arrangement of reservoirs and the purchase of equipment. As a result, the amount will be on average 500,000 rub.. This is provided that you do not need to pay wages to hired personnel. But these expenses are more than enough will pay off in 2-3 years after starting a business. It is possible in some regions to take a loan or get a subsidy from the state for fisheries.
If you plan to breed not in the pool, but in the pond, then you can attract additional income - the organization of paid fishing trips.
Profit calculation
Considered good profitability 9-10%, especially in the first year of entrepreneurial activity in this area. In the future, the percentage of profit with a competent approach will only grow. Experts say that at first it is more profitable to maintain a small fish farm than a large enterprise.
After 3 years, the profitability will be 30% with the condition of full payback. In the future, each entrepreneur seeks to expand production, and incomes grow accordingly. In the current conditions of our economy, one can say unequivocally that this is a very promising business.
Having experience in this business, in a few years it is logical to start growing rare valuable breeds, such as shemai, Siberian sturgeon, peled, etc. Another profitable industry is the production of expensive black caviar.
Video material about this field of activity
The video clearly shows the process of growing trout in an artificial pond: