BANGUS PRODUCTION GUIDE

Bangus production is one of the many profitable business anyone can try. It is easy if you have initial knowledge and knew the trade how to raise them. For those who has not an idea yet, seek professional assistance from producers of bangus in your area so that you can be given enlightenment how to start.

You need earthen pond of 1 hectare in size. Maintain the deepness of the water to one meter. The water should be free from floating debris. It should be clean and fresh. It should not be clouded by any impurities to increase the oxygen content in the water. Fingerlings cannot survive for long if lacking the normal distribution of oxygen in the pond.

The pond should have inlet and outlet. The purpose is to remove the dirty water and replace them if needed. A pond near the river is the best place in raising bangus. You don’t have to worry about the reduction of water level in the pond because you are ready to have good source of water to be taken if the need arises. 

Considering that the level of pond is much higher than the water level in the river, you need portable generator as part of your irrigation system to haul the water up to the pond. Construct 1,000 square meters breeding pond and 1,000 square meters rearing pond to have continues supply of fingerlings. You can’t rely on buying fingerlings from nurseries at all times as it entails additional cost in your part. An estimated 15,500 fingerlings is needed to be stock in the pond.

Procure breeder fish from known hatchery. Select a pair of breeder ready for mating. You need 60 breeders, 25 males and 25 females to be able to have enough fingerlings to supply your pond if you intend to increase another hectare (additional) aside from the initial one hectare you will establish.

It is most recommended that your pond has partition, an earthen dike at the center. It should be solid and firm to serve as walkway easy for the broadcasting of feeds considering that  one hectare lot is quite large to manage. Another economical option is to place bamboo poles as catways (walkways) in the ponds erected in strategic location you believed the best area to be placed.

If the mating pairs started to breed, collect the eggs daily and transfer it to the 1,000 square meters rearing pond properly covered by fish net to prevent all kinds of predators especially birds to consume the fingerlings.

Manage your 1 hectare pond properly that contains the initial stocking of 15,500 fish for rearing. Apply better cultural method to ensure high survival rate of the fingerlings. Install paddle wheels in the pond to aerate the water for proper distribution of oxygen. Feed the fingerlings regularly using commercial fish feeds. As an experienced grower, initiate what particular preventive measures are needed to protect fingerlings from disease.

Close supervision is necessary to be ready to handle any sign of problem that may occur during the growing period of the fish. As long as you follow the right procedures of raising the fish, you can harvest in 4-5 months (normal harvest). If you intend to make the fish bigger for better competitive price in the wet market, 7 months is the best. The normal costs involved in raising a 1 hectare  pond of bangus covers the procurement of fingerlings, commercial feeds, electricity for operational use, paddle wheels, irrigation supports, labor of construction and maintenance cost until harvest time.

Your continued learning of the mechanics and methods of raising them will be your guide and insurance that the next season to raise bangus will be perfected to earn more. Don’t discourage of any failure. Business is full of success and error. It is a fact that you have to accept. Don’t give up easily instead fight for your fears and doubts. Giving up will only lose you more financially and emotionally.