Catfish Farming

Catfish Farming

Four phases in the methodology
of ichthyological husbandry.
I’m catfish farming at my fishery.
Each phase alone, unto itself, discrete.
First broodfish held in ponds, their wat’ry homes
at densities, those relatively low,
and ev’ry spring, to mate, they are allowed.
Then, what is taken from the broodfish pond?
The eggs that have been fertilized, their spawn.
They all are taken to the hatchery
where they will hatch, controlled conditions, ‘neath.
The fry are transferred to the nursery pond
(the hatchery is where they had come from)
where they are fed a manufactured feed
for ’bout six months until they reach between
two to eight inches. Then the fingerlings
(the little fish) out from the nursery,
are next transitioned to production ponds
for foodfish where, more manufactured feed,
they’re fed until they reach one to two pounds.