Aquaculture: Catfish Farming

This article might raise some eyebrows and some catfish’s whiskers!

We visited Sidokarto Fish located in Yogyakarta province where Mr Riko kindly shared his catfish expertise with us.

We were pleasantly surprised by Mr Riko’s smart design for water management. The water flows in Sidokarto Fish from the irrigation channel used for agriculture. The water outlet pours into the irrigation channel with added fertilizers for nearby rice farmers to use. He makes extensive use of the water head principle in such a way that very little energy is used to move water in his whole operation. A good example of how a smart design can save resources and money while at the same reduce pressure on the environment.

Mr Riko utilizes the edible fruit of Morinda citrifolia, known locally as Mengkudu, to help catfish recover when they feel unwell. Locals also consume the ripe fruit which boasts a very strong smell as a traditional medicine.

Despite the ubiquity of catfish in local eatery, this funny looking fish still suffers from a stigma inherited from previous generations. Some still believe that it’s a dirty fish that eats anything including human waste. So together with Sidokarto Fish, whose production has high standards, we would like to raise awareness that catfish is a perfectly fine fish to put on your menu. It is safe and delicious!

At Ecotica we believe catfish deserves more attention. It can fill the role of a keystone species in our agroecosystem design. This scaleless fish thrives in low oxygen conditions. Furthermore, it has a strong appetite and is omnivorous. It allows us more flexibility to find alternatives to commercial pellets which have dire consequences on our environment. We are happy to share this solution for a more sustainable future with you.