Cage fish farming is a process whereby a cage is placed in a lake or a pond which enables the feeding of the fish in a controlled area.
Construction of cages
Cages for fish cage farming are made from either a hard plastic mesh or wire webbing. flexible cages are made by building a frame, then covering it with netting made from nylon or a similar material. The type of frame used depends upon where it will be placed. Flexible cages are only suitable for still waters where there is little threat from predators, such as turtles or large carnivorous fish.
The types of fish that can be kept in ponds and cages include the following:
- North African Catfish
- Nile tilapia
- Carp
Placement of a cage
Species that require highly oxygenated water, such as trout or salmon, can only be raised in moving water such as rivers.
Stocking in a cage
Fish should be stocked at a density of five to eight fish per cubic foot of cage volume because lower densities encourage aggressive behavior.
Feeding the fish
Caged fish’s nutrition comes from fish food. Commercial fish feed contains the balance of proteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals the fish need to grow and stay healthy.
Harvesting fish in a cage
Fish may be removed with a hand-held net and if the cage is large, nets may be used to move the fish toward one corner,