Why earthen ponds are better for fish farmers

He said the advantages of using earthen ponds are that the fish feel more comfortable in their natural environment than the concrete ponds.In terms of growth rate, Dr Bush stressed that fish grows faster in earthen ponds compared to other types of ponds.“It is much more comfortable and different varieties of fish survive more in […]

He said the advantages of using earthen ponds are that the fish feel more comfortable in their natural environment than the concrete ponds.
In terms of growth rate, Dr Bush stressed that fish grows faster in earthen ponds compared to other types of ponds.
“It is much more comfortable and different varieties of fish survive more in earthen pond than other ponds,” he pointed out.
Other advantages, according him, are that the earthen ponds solve the problem of water pollution, enhance the quality of the fish in terms of taste and allows the farmers to use any type of feed.
   On why many Nigerian farmers go for catfish, Dr Bush noted that the mode of transportation is a factor because other types of fish have very low surviving rate outside the water.   
“Catfish can survive inside and outside water sometimes, which makes it more acceptable to farmers,” he said.
With proper mode of transport, he encourages farmers to try tilapia as it is cheaper to grow with few or no cases of cannibalism than catfish.
On the availability of tilapia in Nigeria, Bush said, “we have started working on producing tilapia fish in some hatchery farms in Abuja which farmers can access.”