Catfish farming during harmattan comes with different experiences than normal times. Fish farmers during harmattan face a lot of challenges but the good news is that, with proper fish farm management such challenges can be overtaken.
Catfish farmers during harmattan need to take critical and proactive measures to ensure their fish stay healthy during this challenging season. The Harmattan season brings colder temperatures, dry air, and water scarcity, all of which can significantly impact catfish farming if not properly managed.
In this blog article, we’ll dive deep into what Harmattan is, how it affects catfish farming, and the practical steps you can take to overcome its challenges.
What is Harmattan?
Harmattan is a dry and cold season that typically occurs between November and February in West Africa. It is characterized by:
- Dry Air: Low humidity levels and dusty winds.
- Cold Temperatures: Particularly during the night and early mornings.
Water Scarcity: Rivers, streams, and even groundwater sources like wells and boreholes may dry up due to the lack of rainfall.
For catfish farmers, these environmental changes can create stressful conditions for the fish, leading to slower growth, diseases, and even mortality if not managed properly.
How Harmattan Affects Catfish Farming
Harmattan has several direct and indirect effects on catfish farming. Understanding these impacts will help you implement effective management strategies.
1. Cold Water Temperatures
During Harmattan, the water in ponds and tanks becomes cold. Catfish, being cold-blooded animals, rely on the surrounding water temperature to regulate their body functions. When the water is too cold, the following happens;
- Their metabolic rate slows down: This means the rate at which they release faces slow. This is because their digestive systems become weak and once there is no adequate digestion, metabolism becomes slow as well.
- They eat less and grow more slowly: They eat less because digestion is slow. If they don’t digest the previous feed, how then can they take more? Just like humans, the old food needs to go before a new one comes.
2. Oxygen Levels in Water
Although cold water holds more dissolved oxygen than warm water, catfish become less active during Harmattan and don’t utilize oxygen efficiently. In poorly managed ponds or overcrowded tanks, fish may struggle to breathe despite the increased oxygen levels.
3. Weakened Immunity and Diseases
The stress caused by cold water weakens the fish’s immune system, making them more susceptible to diseases like:
- Skin infections and sores.
- White spot disease (Ich).
- Fungal and bacterial infections.
4. Reduced Feeding and Activity
Catfish eat less during harmattan. For instance, I visited a catfish farmer today and noticed a lot of fish feed floating on the surface of the pond. I asked him and he said the fish don’t eat much these days. I told him it was because of the harmattan and for that matter, he should adopt the best feeding methods. I then showed him how to feed using the responsive feeding method (You watch a video by clicking this link)
The reason is that when the catfish don’t consume all the feed, the leftover feed will dissolve in the pond therefore increasing ammonia and decreasing oxygen. This contaminates the fish pond water therefore making it unconducive for the fish to leave in.
5. Water Scarcity
The lack of rainfall during Harmattan can make it difficult to maintain adequate water levels in ponds, especially for farmers who rely on rivers, streams, or shallow wells. Most of the natural water bodies dries up during hammattan making water scarce. The fish pond water also dries out easily and always needs changing or topping during harmattan.
How to Manage Catfish During Harmattan
Proper management is essential to minimize the negative effects of Harmattan on your fish farm. Here are practical steps to take:
1. Maintain Warm Water Temperatures
Cover Ponds or Tanks: Use materials like tarpaulin or plastic sheets to cover ponds and tanks at night, trapping heat and reducing temperature loss.
Shallow Areas: Create shallow zones in your ponds where water can warm up faster during the day.
Add Warm Water: If using tanks, add slightly warm water during changes to maintain a stable temperature.
2. Optimize Feeding Practices
Feed Timing: Feed your catfish during the warmest part of the day, usually between 12 PM and 2 PM, when they are more active.
Feed Quantity: Reduce the quantity of feed, as fish tend to eat less in cold weather. Overfeeding will lead to water pollution. The best practice is to use the responsive feeding method
3. Ensure Clean Water
Remove Waste: Regularly remove uneaten feed and dirt from the pond to maintain water quality. Never allow such uneaten feed or leftover feed to dissolve in the pond. The farm I said I visited today, was the advice I gave to the caretaker. I made him remove the leftovers on the surface and I told him always to do that each time he realizes the feed is left uneaten on the surface.
Aeration: Use aerators to increase oxygen levels, especially in overcrowded ponds or tanks. Aerators are systems connected to fish ponds which add oxygen to the pond and sometimes also make the water circulate. It will not stack and therefore can sometimes warm up the water if too cold.
4. Boost Immunity and Prevent Diseases
Add Vitamins: Enrich their feed with Vitamin C and other supplements to boost immunity. You can always also add natural remedies such as bitter leaves. Bitter leaves have tremendous benefits to catfish and fish in general. Consider watching this video on how to apply bitter leaves to your fish pond and its benefits.
Monitor Fish Health: Check for signs of disease such as spots, sores, or unusual behavior, and treat them promptly with recommended medications.
5. Conserve and Manage Water Effectively
Reduce Water Changes: Limit frequent water changes to conserve water, but ensure the water remains clean and safe for the fish. In this regard, I highly recommend you install a filtration system such as the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) to always filter the water. This will ensure you keep that same water and re-use it through filtration. This is a great way of managing water.
Prepare Water Sources: Store enough water in reservoirs or tanks to ensure availability during shortages.
6. Pond Maintenance
Clear Vegetation: Remove bushes and weeds around the pond to reduce heat loss and prevent the cold air from cooling the water too fast.
Repair Leaks: Fix any leaks or broken pond walls to maintain stable water levels.
Additional Tips for Harmattan Catfish Farming
Monitor Fish Behavior
Observe your fish daily for signs of stress or unusual behavior, such as:
- Gasping for air at the surface
- Remaining inactive for extended periods
- Showing signs of disease.
Patience with Growth Rates
Catfish naturally grow slower during cold seasons. Be patient and avoid excessive feeding in an attempt to speed up growth. Otherwise, you will have other complications such as poor water quality which can lead to diseases and mortality.
Engage in Preventive Maintenance
Prepare for Harmattan early by ensuring your ponds, tanks, and water systems are in optimal condition.
Stock up on essential supplies such as feed, vitamins, and medications.
The Importance of Planning Ahead
Catfish farming during harmattan may pose challenges, but with proper planning and management, you can keep your fish healthy and your farm profitable.
Being proactive during this season is key to minimizing losses and ensuring your fish farming business continues to thrive.
Join the Conversation
How are you managing your catfish farm during Harmattan? Share your tips and experiences in the comment section below. Let’s learn from one another and keep our farms productive during this challenging season.
By implementing these strategies, you can navigate the Harmattan season with confidence, ensuring the health and well-being of your fish while maintaining a sustainable farming operation.
To enhance more understanding of fish farming, consider reading this post Comprehensive Guide to Fish Farming: From Setup to Harvest
