Murrel Fish Farming

At present, snakehead, murrel and sole fish farming are so popular. But the murrel fish farming business is increasing gradually. Murrel fish is actually one of the most popular freshwater fish. It is very tasty, and nutritious and has high demand and value in the market. Commercial farming of murrel fish can be a great way for making some additional cash. Murrel fish is the best source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Regular consumption of murrel fish is very good for health. Hence, murrel fish is generally sold at a very high price in the market. With good fish management practices, murrel fish farming has a huge potential for high returns.

Starting murrel fish farming as a business or for family consumption is not so difficult. one can easily start murrel fish farming even in a small pond.

Site Selection

The murrel fish can be raised almost anywhere but selecting a good site with the full sun will be better and the site is free from pollution and noise.

Pond Construction

Don’t think much about the size of the pond for raising murrel fish. Actually start a murrel fish farming business in any pond, even in smaller 500-1000 gallon tanks. All types of ponds or water bodies such as an earthen pond, concrete pond or plastic tank are suitable for starting murrel fish farming.

Pond Preparation

The murrel fish is fed on external feeds. So, don’t do many things for preparing the pond. Just sterilizing the pond and filling it with fresh water will be enough for murrel fish farming.

Seed Collection

Commercial murrel fish farming is not common due to inadequate seed availability. To raise murrel fish, it is necessary to collect the seeds from rivers, reservoirs, perennial tanks and other water bodies. Expect maximum seed availability in the month of May to August. The current demand for murrel fish seed is met by wild collections.

Rearing the Fingerlings

Due to the extra support of air-breathing organs of the murrel fish, it can be stocked in high-density or overcrowding stocking. However, stocking about 20,000 to 25,000 fingerlings per acre will be enough. Don’t raise the fingerlings in a nursery pond. Rather, directly stock the fingerlings into the main pond.

Feeding

The fingerlings or fry are fed on finely chopped trash fish. You have to adjust the feeding rate by observing the behaviour of the fish during the feeding time. You can purchase low-cost trash fish for feeding your murrel fish, and this will save you a lot of money.

Harvesting

Use fishing nets for collecting the murrel fish from the pond when they gain at least 500 grams of body weight. Although it can be harvested at any time when the fish reaches your desired size.

Marketing

commonly, live and fresh murrel fishes are sold in the market. it is compulsory to send the fish to the market immediately after harvesting for a better price. Murrel fish is typically sold at a very high price in the market.

Conclusion

The raising period ranges from 7 to 10 months depending on the type of Murrel fish. if the feed is properly given to fish, then it is expected that fish will gain 700-1000 grams of body weight within that period. Hence, commercial murrel fish farming is definitely very profitable.