Catfish is a group of freshwater fish with high economic value, especially in the North. Top 4 most popular catfish species include Clariidae, Hemibagrus, Ictalurus Punctatus, Loach.
Catfish is one of the freshwater fish groups with high economic and nutritional value, playing an important role in the aquaculture industry in many countries around the world, especially in Southeast Asia. With the characteristics of being easy to raise, good adaptability to the environment, and fast growth rate, catfish species have become a popular choice of many farmers, especially in Vietnam. Top 4 catfish species that adapt well to natural conditions in the North, bringing a stable source of income for farmers.
1. CLARIIDAE
A popular catfish, easy to raise and has high economic value, especially in Vietnam. This is one of the familiar freshwater fish species in many localities, has the ability to adapt well to different natural conditions and is rarely affected by diseases.
– Common species: Yellow ones, hybrid ones, white ones
– Appearance: They have a flat body, large head, small eyes and wide mouth. The fish’s characteristic feature is the whiskers around its mouth, which help them easily detect food even in murky water.
– Size: Adult ones can be 20-40 cm long, and can be even larger under ideal living conditions.
– Habitat: They live mainly in ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, and rice fields. They adapt to stagnant, muddy water environments, and can live in low oxygen conditions.
– Food: They are omnivorous, consuming a variety of foods from worms, shrimp, zooplankton, insects, to industrial food and agricultural by-products.
Image of Clariidae
Clariidae has a stable domestic demand and is a familiar food source in traditional dishes. Meat is high in protein, low in fat and easy to prepare. In addition to market value, they are also raised to supply ornamental fish farms, especially white catfish.
2. HEMIBAGRUS
A precious catfish species, has high economic value and is popular. Thanks to the meat quality is delicious, has few small bones and is rich in nutrients. This is a freshwater fish species common in rivers, lakes and dams in Vietnam, especially in the Northern and Central regions.
– Popular species: Spotted one, black one, yellow one
– Appearance: have a long, slender body with a pointed, flat head. Their mouths are large and have long, sensitive whiskers that help them find food in murky water.
– Size: can reach sizes of 30–60 cm, and some individuals can weigh up to 10–15 kg in the wild.
– Habitat: live mainly in rivers, lakes and areas with flowing water. They prefer clean, oxygen-rich water with sandy or muddy bottoms for easy movement.
– Diet: mainly eating small animals such as fish, worms, shrimp, and snails. They can also eat industrial feed in the aquaculture environment.
One of the catfish species that brings high economic benefits to farmers, while providing a nutritious food source for consumers. Thanks to advanced farming techniques, Hemibagrus farming is increasingly developing, contributing to the promotion of the freshwater aquaculture industry.
3. ICTALURUS PUNCTATUS
A catfish species originating from North America, now commonly raised in many places around the world, including Vietnam. This fish species has high economic value thanks to its delicious meat quality, ease of farming, low disease resistance, and good adaptability to freshwater environments.
Image of Ictalurus Punctatus
– Appearance: have a long, round body, smooth skin and no scales. The head is slightly flattened, the mouth is wide with long and sensitive whiskers, helping the fish find food in dark or murky water.
– Color: The fish is light gray in color, with some individuals having small black spots along the sides of their bodies, which helps camouflage them in their natural aquatic environment.
– Size: can reach 60–90 cm and weigh about 10–20 kg when fully grown in the wild. In captivity, the size is usually smaller due to early harvest time.
– Habitat: live mainly in freshwater rivers, lakes, and ponds. They adapt well to calm, highly oxygenated water, but can also tolerate short periods of low oxygen.
– Diet: They are omnivorous, consuming a variety of foods such as insects, shrimp, small fish, worms, and pelleted commercial foods.
Ictalurus Punctatus is a fish species with high economic and nutritional value. With good adaptability and low disease resistance, they are increasingly widely farmed and meets the great demand in the seafood market.
4. LOACH
Loach, also known as Trach Lau, is a freshwater fish commonly raised in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. This fish has high economic value thanks to its delicious, nutritious meat and is increasingly being raised commercially.
– Appearance: Loach has a long, slender body, small and flat head, pointed mouth, with whiskers around the mouth. On the body there are dorsal fins running from head to tail.
– Color: Loach is dark brown or gray with light yellow stripes or dots running along its body, helping it camouflage well in its natural environment.
– Size: Loach can reach 30-70 cm in size when mature, and in captivity can reach 1-2 kg/fish.
– Habitat: Loaches typically live in ponds, lakes, rivers, and slow-moving waters with mud or sand bottoms where they can easily hide. They prefer warm, clean water with high oxygen levels.
– Food: Loach is omnivorous, its food includes small animals such as worms, shrimp, larvae, and invertebrates. In aquaculture, fish can eat industrial food.
– With high consumption demand and outstanding nutritional value, the farming of loach is increasingly developed to supply the market. The techniques of raising loach are increasingly improved to optimize the output and quality of fish, meeting domestic and export needs.
Image of Loach
Loach is a fish with high economic and nutritional value, suitable for both commercial farming and family consumption. With reasonable farming techniques, Loach not only helps farmers increase their income but also provides a clean, nutritious food source for consumers.
Through these information about top 4 common catfish species, farmers can know and choose the suitable ones to raise for high economic benefits.