High density needs strong solids removal.
African catfish are farmed in RAS at densities few other fish tolerate, which means a very high feed and solids load per m³. We have an engineering design for catfish. We have not delivered a catfish farm yet, and we say so up front.
no catfish farm delivered
commercial RAS, measured
measured in that RAS
sizes the whole loop
We have not delivered a farm for this species yet. The design below is an engineering basis built from published research, and we say so in every proposal.Sample design.
Measured in commercially run systems.
Three commercially run African catfish RAS in Germany were sampled in 2023. The two denser systems held about 82 and 89 kg of fish per m³ ().Clols-Fuentes et al., Frontiers in Marine Science, 2023
Fish, kg/m³
81.7
89.0
18.2
Oxygen, mg/L
7.12
6.31
7.63
Temperature, °C
24.4
26.9
26.7
pH
4.68
4.07
7.34
The low pH in the dense systems is striking: it is far below what a tilapia or bass farm would run at. It shows how much acid a heavily fed catfish system produces.
Higher density, bigger plant.
A 2023 study on a commercial RAS compared 100, 200 and 400 kg/m³ for African catfish (; abstract only). Whatever density you choose, the feed load per m³ of tank rises with it, and every treatment stage is sized on that feed.Fishes, 2023
- sized on peak feed, which density multipliesBiofilter
- drum filter and settler sized for a heavy loadPadatan
- supplied to the water even though the fish can breathe airOksigen
- dosing planned in, because a dense system acidifiespH dan alkalinitas
Where catfish differ from tilapia and bass.
Air-breathing
Can gulp air, so short oxygen dips are less fatal
Depend fully on dissolved oxygen
Density
Dense systems measured at about 80–90 kg/m³
Usually much lower
Feed per m³ of tank
Sangat tinggi
Moderate to high
Biofilter
Does not like low pH; nitrification slows
Run at neutral pH
Padatan
Heavy; settler often worth it
Drum filter often enough
Air-breathing helps the fish survive a fault. It does not help the biofilter, which still needs dissolved oxygen.
Feed first, then every stage.
The closest designs we have delivered are our tilapia and bass farms. The logic is the same; the numbers are larger.
Target output
Tonnes a year and harvest size set the standing biomass.
Density and feed
Density agreed first, then peak daily feed.
Tahapan pengolahan
Biofilter, solids and oxygen on peak feed.
pH control
Alkalinity dosing sized on the feed load.
Equipment we build, a design we are open about.
Honest about experience
No catfish farm delivered yet. We say so in every proposal.
Made in our factory
Tanks, drum filters, MBBR, degassing towers and UV.
High-feed farms delivered
Tilapia and bass, up to 4,900 m³.
Assumptions listed
Every target in writing, for your advisor to check.
No. This page is a sample design. Our delivered farms are listed on the projects page.
Our bass and tilapia farms share the high-feed design logic. We use them as references and say where catfish differ.
Commercially run African catfish RAS sampled in 2023 held about 82–89 kg/m³ in the dense systems. Research has tested up to 400 kg/m³.
Yes. The fish can survive short dips, but the biofilter still needs dissolved oxygen, and growth needs good water.
A dense catfish system produces a lot of acid. Measured pH in two commercial systems was 4.1–4.7. Nitrification slows at low pH, so we plan alkalinity dosing.
Yes. Send species, target output and site size.
Send your plan. We share the sample design and its assumptions.
Send species, target output and site size. A first layout comes back in 3 days, free.
- Clear about what is not yet delivered
- Layout and equipment list
- Flow and oxygen balance
- No obligation to order