Catfish Farming: Water Recirculatory System

WATER RECIRCULATORY SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY AS A MAJOR TOOL
FOR INCREASED FISH PRODUCTION BY PRIVATE FISH FARMERS.

By B. Ezenwa and P.E. Anyanwu
Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research,
EMB. 80108, Victoria Island, Lagos.
INTRODUCTION
witnessed an unprecedented interests by
Unfortunately however, aquaculture in Nigeria

contributes only 25,000 30,000 tonnes annually
entrepreneurs in fish farming. This is largely due to
despite its potential estimated at over half a
scarcity oftIsh in the local markets in addition to the
million tonnes. There are now concerted efforts

to develop intensive aquaculture production to
increase fish production. Consequently research
In
recent times (1994/2001) the country has
huge export potentials of our local tin and shellfish

species in international markets. The use of high
technology in catfish farming is the latest in

Aquaculture culture system that has attracted
was initiated on intensive catfish production
numerous investors due to its tremendous success
Recirculation System (WRS) can be adapted to
in areas that initiated the system in recent times.

First introduced in Nigeria in 1978/79 by Nigerian
all
Farms Ltd. in Patani. Delta State by German
culture is not so feasible due tp low rainfall, high

water evaporation rates, loose soil types and poor
using water recirculation system.
Water
the ecological zones of Nigeria and is
especially recommended for areas where pond
Entrepreneurs and local partner, its success was

very limited in terms of fingerling and table sized
water retention characteristics.
fish production of Tilapia spp. Catfish and
With WRS, it is possible to produce fish all the

year round. It is a type of cultivation system in
which effluents or used water from fish rearing
units is partially or completely recirculated to
them aftcr water treatment and reconditioning.
Common Carp due to poor management skill after

departure of German Experts. Others followed as
from 1 996 e.g. Clii thrms Nigeria Limited Lagos,
Zartech (Ibadan), Durante (Ibadan), Ocean

Fisheries Nigeria Limited etc.
This system rears fish at high densities with

Nigeria requires approximately 1.5 million tonnes
reduction in water usage. This is achieved by
annually to meet fish demand, whereas domestic

supply is estimated at about 0.5 tonnes including
massive importation of frozen fish, which gulps
over N20 billion annually. Nigeria is the largest
employing a water treatment unit, which includes
the whole world.

Furthermore, the major source of fish supply in
Nigeria (capture fisheries) arc presently on the
production in a relatively small area of land, use a
decline arising from an over exploitation.

Similarly, Livestock production the other major
contributor to protein foods is also constrained by
desert encroachment. rinderpest attack and others.
This has placed fish culture on the spotlight as the
viable option for food security and fish production
annually.
importer of frozen fish
mechanical filtration, biological filtration solid

waste removal, water sterilization and aeration.
WRS conserve both water and land and maximize
in
relatively small volume of water for example 50

torines of fish can he produced in 60m3 building
This is in contrast to outdoor earth
ponds. The WRS system is very effective in the
control of poaching prevalent in Nigerian

agricultural investment profiles.
\Vater Recireulation System could be outdoor

systems offer better environmental control for
increase, which has to be large-scale to impact.

33
WRS are
niaximum fish growth and survival. The system
complete feed on a daily basis.
requires continuous supply of water at
particularly useful in areas where land and water

are not readily available or expensive. They are
very suitable in climatic condition, which prevent
year-round production e.g. cold (winter) or
temperature an content that is optimum for growth

of the cultured fish. In addition, a filtering (bio
filter) system is required to purify the water and

remove or detoxify harmftul water products and
uncaten food. The fish is fed a nutritionally
extremely thy (desert) condition.
POTENTiAL ROLE OF WRS IN SHELL AND

FIN FISH PRODUCTION IN NIGERIA
Presently in Nigeria. three fish farms operating the WRS Technology are producing a total of 500 tonnes
annually. If 1000 fish farmers or families adopt this technology 200000 tonnes of fish will be produced
annually at 200 tonnes per family, thereby raising total fish production from Aquaculture to over 250,000
tonnes/year.
If the WRS Technology is domesticated through use of local raw material to reduce production costs, more
farmers will be attracted to adopt the technology ad more fish will be produced in Nigeria. This will ensure
fish self-sufficiency ad food security as well as creation of employment opportunities thereby alleviating
poverty.
Mass adoption of this technology will be greatly advantageous to aquaculture investors and food fish
security in Nigeria. It will enhance rural employment, alleviate poverty, and increase fish production and
fish protein intake leading to general well being of Nigerian citizens. Below is a brief summary of
fingerlings and table size fish production using WRS.
Table I: Table size fish production.

S/No.
.1
2
3
Capacity of WRS
Total number of
investors per
geqpolitical zone.
Fish production using WRS
100 tons
50 tons
20 tons
1000
1000
1000
100,000 torisoffishperzone
50,000
20,000
170,000 rn.t
1,020,000
Tota1 per zone

Tota1 for 6 zones
i. e.
1.0 2 million rn.t. of fish per annum in Nigeria.
T able II: Table size fish production.
Total number of fingerlings.

Total number of
per
investors
geopolitical zone
5,000,000
1000
100 tons
1
2,500,000
1000
50 tons
2
1,000,000
1000
20 tons
3
8,500,000
Total number of fingerlings per zone
51,000,000
Total number of fingerlings for six zones
S/No.
Capacity of WRS
34
BIOTOR
GWI2flOI1
tvr
TANK
Recircu1ation of the flow (skech)

COST ESTIMATES FOR PRODUCTION:
(a) 100,000 fingerlings
(b) 20 tonnes of table fish and

(c) 500 broodstock of C. gariepinus annually.
WRS Building (lOm x 20m)
500,000.00
Water supply + piping
200,000.00
Electricity supply + installation
250,000.00
Fish tank (14)
330,000.00
}3iofilters (9)
200,000.00
Aeration dvice
40,000.00
Water Sterilizationlsolid waste removal
130,000.00
Waterpumps(10)
180,000.00
Fish feed + Artemia
200,000.00
Broodstock
30,000.00
Water analysis kit
100,000.00
Lab. Equipment (balance, etc)
150,000.00
Total
N2,4 10,000.00
35
Details of items.
Broodstock Unit
2 fibre glass tanks (500L)

2 fibre glass tanks (1 000L)
1 complete set of biological filtration
1 complete set of sedimentation/pump tank (1200L)
UVLight
Incubation Unit
1 Water pump
Piping and fittings
2 Fibre glass tanks (500L)
2 complete set of sedimentation/pump tank (1200L)
-
UVLight
Advanced fry Unit
Fingerlings Unit
Table fish Unit
2 water pump
Piping and fittings
2 complete set of sedimentation/pump tank (1200L).
UV Light
2 water pump
Piping and fittings
2 complete set of sedimentationlpump tank (1200L).
UV Light
2 water pump
Piping and fittings
2 complete set of sedirntationIpump tank (1 200L).
UV Light
2 water pump
Piping and fittings
TREATMENT OF WASTE MATERIALS FROM THE WRS SYSTEM
+
+
During operations, the major inputs are feeds and
oxygen while wastes from the fish in the form of
Drum filter
Materialisation
faeces, are given out, in addition to ammonia.

Ammonia:
carbon dioxide and heat.
Treatment of wastes.
Faeces
Treatment is based on removing or breaking down
Carbon dioxide:
Diffusion of air in and out of the system
the waste of the fish faeces:
Nitrifying bacteria in the bio -tower
Settling/sedimentation filter
36
INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIRED FOR WRS SYSTEM

i) Space/building
20 tonnes production/year
ingredients, premix and so on

: High digestibility
lOOm2
150m2
Water stable
300m2
+ Uniform size
No dusk smell attractive to the fish (blood-
ii) Energy required

2KW/24 hours/day
4KW/24 hours/day
7KW/24 hours/day
meal/fish oil)
+ Stored well inAIC environment.
iii) Feeding Methods:-
iii) Water quantity'

11 m3 water/day
27.5rn3 water/day
55m water/day
In Intensive farming:
it is appropriate and
advisable to use demand or self feeders with either
floating or sinking feed, unlike floating feed in

pond farming that enables better control over fish
i) Fish raised in WRS system depends entirely

(100%) on propOerly formulated feed diets that
growth and health.

Young fish should get:
5 times a day
enhance rapid growth. Feed therefore is the major

input in cost of production at an estimated level of
Big fish should get:
3 times aday.
N95/feed producing one kg of fish.
iv) Feed is imported as fish concentrate:

FC=1.O
ii) Feed should be based on the following
+ 20 tonnes production/year I .2container, 20 feet

50 tonnes production/year 3 container, 20 feet
+ 100 tonnes production/year 6 container, 20 feet
characteristics:
' Full meal diet; containing all the necessary
37

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WATER RECIRCULATORY SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY AS A MAJOR TOOL

FOR INCREASED FISH PRODUCTION BY PRIVATE FISH FARMERS.

witnessed an unprecedented interests by

Unfortunately however, aquaculture in Nigeria

entrepreneurs in fish farming. This is largely due to

despite its potential estimated at over half a

scarcity oftIsh in the local markets in addition to the

million tonnes. There are now concerted efforts

recent times (1994/2001) the country has

huge export potentials of our local tin and shellfish

technology in catfish farming is the latest in

was initiated on intensive catfish production

numerous investors due to its tremendous success

Recirculation System (WRS) can be adapted to

in areas that initiated the system in recent times.

Farms Ltd. in Patani. Delta State by German

culture is not so feasible due tp low rainfall, high

using water recirculation system.

the ecological zones of Nigeria and is

especially recommended for areas where pond

Entrepreneurs and local partner, its success was

water retention characteristics.

fish production of Tilapia spp. Catfish and

With WRS, it is possible to produce fish all the

Common Carp due to poor management skill after

Zartech (Ibadan), Durante (Ibadan), Ocean

This system rears fish at high densities with

reduction in water usage. This is achieved by

annually to meet fish demand, whereas domestic

employing a water treatment unit, which includes

the whole world.

production in a relatively small area of land, use a

decline arising from an over exploitation.

importer of frozen fish

mechanical filtration, biological filtration solid

relatively small volume of water for example 50

This is in contrast to outdoor earth

ponds. The WRS system is very effective in the

control of poaching prevalent in Nigerian

\Vater Recireulation System could be outdoor

increase, which has to be large-scale to impact.

niaximum fish growth and survival. The system

complete feed on a daily basis.

requires continuous supply of water at

particularly useful in areas where land and water

temperature an content that is optimum for growth

filter) system is required to purify the water and

extremely thy (desert) condition.

POTENTiAL ROLE OF WRS IN SHELL AND

Table I: Table size fish production.

Fish production using WRS

Tota1 per zone

1.0 2 million rn.t. of fish per annum in Nigeria.

T able II: Table size fish production.

Total number of fingerlings.

Recircu1ation of the flow (skech)

(b) 20 tonnes of table fish and

WRS Building (lOm x 20m)