A Comparative Profit Analysis of Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus) Production in Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria.

Abstract

This  research was  conducted  using  the  same  feeding  regime  and  stocking  density  to  determine  the effect of using two different fish rearing facilities (earthen pond and concrete tank) of the same size (9m x 9m x 1.4 m) each  on the profitability  of  fish  raised  to market  size  in  six months. Results  showed  that  final mean weight (initial mean weight 13g/fish of catfish (Clarias gariepinus)  was  greater  in  earthen  pond  (0.62 kg)  than  in  concrete  tank  (0.53 kg).  Despite the higher survival rate  of 70%  recorded  in  concrete  tank  as  against  65%  for  earthen pond, the results further showed that the size of fish harvested affected the biomass, which negatively affected the profitability. The  fish harvested from the earthen  pond  gave  a profit  margin of  N78,770.00  as  against  the N61,000.00  from  concrete  tank pond. The profit margin difference of N 17,765.00 realized between the two structures demonstrates that, final mean weight of fish reared to market size was greatly influenced by culture media.

Keywords: Profit margin, concrete tank, earthen pond, catfish.