Beginning Aquaculture

Need assistance with wildlife and fish management on your ranch, backyard, or pond? Simply call your local County Extension Agent.

Operating a fish farm is similar to operating a cattle feedlot. Closely packed and heavily fed fish must be watched closely to detect problems early before they turn into disasters. This is difficult because fish cannot be readily seen. New fish farmers may feel like they are working blindfolded and without sleep until they become comfortable using water quality test equipment, water color changes and feeding response as their “eyes” to detect early warnings of problems. Nighttime work is done throughout the warm months and includes checking dissolved oxygen levels and running aeration equipment as needed. As with any other business, finding and keeping good help also is a challenge. Workers must be capable of making the right decisions when the farmer/manager is unavailable. Also, finding and developing good markets for the product takes considerable time and energy. A good fish farmer works to earn and maintain the trust of buyers while continuing to search for new marketing opportunities.SRAC-0441

-SRAC Publication No. 441, Aquaculture- Realities and Potentials When getting Started

Southern Regional Aquaculture Center	SRAC Publication No. 441 – Aquaculture- Realities and Potentials When Getting Started SRAC Publication No. 442 – Small Scale, On-farm Fish Processing SRAC Publication No. 4400 – Introduction to Financial Management of Aquaculture Businesses SRAC Publication No. 4401 – Assessing the Financial Position of an Aquaculture Business- Using Balance Sheets SRAC Publication No. 4402 – Determining the Profitability of an Aquaculture Business- Using Income Statements and Enterprise Budgets SRAC Publication No. 4403 – Evaluating the Liquidity/Cash Position of an Aquaculture Business- Using Cash Flow Statements
North Central Regional Aquaculture Center	NCRAC Technical Bulletin Series No. 102 – A Basic Overview in Aquaculture NCRAC Publication No. 103 – Choosing an Organizational Structure for Your Aquaculture Business NCRAC Technical Bulletin Series No. 106 – Factors to Consider in Establishing a Successful Aquaculture Business in the North Central Region NCRAC Technical Bulletin Series No. 110 – Cage Culture of Fish in the North Central Region NCRAC Fact Sheet Series No. 101 – Making Plans for Commercial Aquaculture in the North Central Region NCRAC Fact Sheet Series No. 107 – Pond Culture of Hybrid Striped Bass in the North Central Region
Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center	NRAC Publication No. 102-2008 – Freshwater Aquaculture Species for the Northeast NRAC Publication No. 103-2008 – Marine Aquaculture Species for the Northeast NRAC Publication No. 104-2008 – Aquaculture Systems for the Northeast NRAC Publication No. 301-2008 – Growing Ornamental Aquatic Plants as a Business in the Northeastern United States NRAC Publication No. 101 – Is Aquatic Farming For You?
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff	Aquaculture Alternatives in Arkansas
Virginia Tech Extension	Should You Attempt Fish Farming? Considerations for Prospective Growers
North Carolina State University	Getting Started in Aquaculture
Oklahoma State University	Getting Started in Aquaculture
University of Florida	A Beginner’s Guide to Water Management – The ABCs (Descriptions of Commonly Used Terms)
Langston University	Is Fish Farming For Me?