UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF FISH FOR PROFITABILITY

Fishes belong to a group of animals known as aquatic animals. They are different from other vertebrates by the possession of gills and fins. Fishes depend on water as a medium in which they live, they are the most numerous of all the vertebrates because the number over 40,000 different species.

Fishes play prominent role in human diet because it is the most available form of protein in human  diet  as a result fish farming is now becoming important and popular source of income to many farmers in the world.

CONCEPT OF FISH FARMING

Fish farming is the practice of growing fishes in artificial waters. AQUACULTURE is the branch of fisheries, it is a system of growing or cultivating fishes and other aquatic animals in artificial bodies such as aquarium, ponds, lakes, stream, etc.

WATER BODIES

Water bodies are various water environment through which a farmer can rear fishes.

The water bodies are;

·       NATURAL WATER: This includes seas,  river,streams, spring,oceans, lagoons, lakes.

                      

·       ARTIFICIAL WATER: This includes  fish pond, dams, aquarium.

                          

CLASSIFICATION OF FISHES

It is very important for a serious fish farmer to understand the nature of the various species of fish in order to know how to rear them for profitability. Basically, fishes can be classified into two main groups namely:

1.    CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO HABITAT

2.    CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO THEIR MORPHOLOGY OR SKELETON

CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO THEIR HABITAT: This can be further broken down into two groups namely:

a)    FRESH WATER FISH: These are fishes that live in fresh waters only.  They are very small and agile .Examples of fresh waters  include: lakes, stream, ponds, rivers. The types of fish that can survive in fresh waters include; Tilapia, Carp, Cat fish, Clarias, Mud fish, etc.

b)    SALT WATER OR MARINE WATER FISH: These are fishes that live in salt waters. Examples of salt waters include seas and oceans. Fishes that can survive in salt water include; Shark, Mackerels, Tuna, Titus, Dog fish etc.

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON MORPHOLOGY OR SKELETON.

·       BONY FISH: These are fishes whose internal skeleton is made up of bones. Examples include Cat fish, Tilapia, Mackerel, Tuna fish, Salmon, Perches, Croakers, Eel, Herrings, etc.

·       CARTILAGENOUS FISH: These are fish whose skeletal system is made up of cartilage. They do not have bones. They live in salt water. Examples include: Sharks, Rays Skates, Dog fish.

As an intending fish farmer or an existing fish farmer, it is advisable to understand this concept well before going into this fast growing business, as a  fresh water fish cannot survive in salt water and vice versa.

Understanding the nature and types of fish will help the farmer to rear his fish farming business profitably.