Earthen pond or Concrete Pond Which is more successful - Expert Reveals

[@WillyFleuren]

You can now purchase The African Catfish Farmer's Handbook by Willy Fleuren (Paper Back and Hard Cover) on Amazon. See link a.co/d/dVhbrVJ and for my Adventures in Africa see link to the book on Amazon a.co/d/duXm94R

[@ubiufezime2369]

Thank you, my erudite mentor Willy, for consistently educating Nigerian catfish farmers. You are truly a remarkable “Fishmatician.”

[@WillyFleuren]

Thank you so much, Ubi, for your kind words and unwavering support! 🙏 It's always a delight to hear from you. Your enthusiasm and engagement in these discussions mean a lot to us. We’re grateful to have thoughtful viewers like you on this journey. Keep sharing your insights-they enrich the community! 🌟

[@ubiufezime2369]

@@WillyFleuren ✊🏿

[@paulirving2986]

@ubiufezime2369 End this worship of Whiteness.

[@shalipse]

Thanks for another insightful educational content, Willy. When it comes to the debate on which is better-earthen or concrete ponds-in terms of promoting rapid growth and the general wellbeing of fish, I’d be inclined to say earthen ponds have the edge. My reasoning is that nutrients naturally permeate from the soil into the water, and the ponds can support the self-breeding of algae and other microorganisms, which add nutritional value to the fish. However, concrete ponds have their advantages, particularly in disease control. Water can be easily discharged, and the pond thoroughly cleaned to minimise contamination. Additionally, concrete ponds allow for better feeding control, ensuring feed is evenly distributed within the pond. In my view, an optimal approach would be to initially stock fingerlings in concrete ponds for better monitoring and management during their early growth stages. Once they grow past the juvenile stage, transferring them to earthen ponds would provide a more natural environment for further growth. This is just my opinion.

[@WillyFleuren]

Thank you so much for your detailed and insightful comment! I really appreciate the thought you’ve put into this. Your analysis is spot on, and it’s great to see your understanding of the advantages each system offers. You’re absolutely right-earthen ponds have a natural edge in promoting fish growth due to nutrient seepage from the soil and the self-breeding of algae and microorganisms, which are indeed beneficial for the fish. At the same time, concrete ponds excel in disease control and allow for better monitoring, especially when it comes to feed distribution and pond hygiene. Your suggested approach of starting fingerlings in concrete ponds for controlled monitoring before transferring them to earthen ponds for natural growth is a well-balanced and practical strategy. This method combines the best of both systems and can yield impressive results when implemented correctly. It’s always a pleasure to engage with such thoughtful contributions. Keep sharing your perspectives-they enrich the discussion and inspire others in the fish farming community!

[@bertrandtan2712]

Would be much clearer if creator provide them with wireless lavalier for better vocal clarity. They're an essential part of content creation in socmed nowadays. Very inexpensive too, if i may add.

[@WillyFleuren]

Thank you for your feedback and suggestion! We will try to improve the sound quality in our upcoming videos.

[@chineduanthony9909]

This is very educative. Glad i am a new follower. Thanks for all the information you share.

[@WillyFleuren]

Thanks for your feedback and welcome to the community!

[@yoosooph2000]

What is your advice on using tyre to do the dyke rather than sand bagging

[@WillyFleuren]

Thank you for your question! While I don’t have direct experience using old car tires in place of sandbags for dykes, I can see how they might serve as an alternative in certain situations. That said, either option can often be replaced by constructing the earthen pond with a proper slope and adequate grassing, as we demonstrated in the video. This method not only provides stability but also works exceptionally well for managing erosion and maintaining the pond's structure. It’s a reliable and sustainable approach that has proven effective in our practice. If you’re considering alternative materials, I’d recommend evaluating their long-term durability and suitability for your specific site conditions. Thanks again for engaging with us-your curiosity drives meaningful conversations like these! 😊

[@yoosooph2000]

I like the analogy . Manure can also br added t9 chnage the destiny of thw tree and maie it big.. We Nigerians need to migrate within and outside our domain comfort zone to xhnqge our destny

[@WillyFleuren]

Indeed, you are right! Making the needed change can improve things in our lives and ultimately our destinies... No matter how bad it may seem, it can get better here or there...

[@kennethnedu3327]

Thank you so much Willy. But you cannot begin to compare mortality until you first harvest and count number of fishes harvested. Because, it is possible that fishes die in the earthen pond, and gets eaten almost immediately and will not float for you to see that it died. So, it is after harvesting, before statement of mortality comparisms can be made.

[@WillyFleuren]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! 🙏 I completely relate to your point-waiting until harvest can indeed provide a clearer picture of mortality. However, I’d like to clarify that proper grading is a critical part of our practice, which minimizes the chances of cannibalism in our ponds. In most of our tanks, including those at this project site and others, mortality is typically evident when dead fish float to the surface. This allows us to monitor and address issues in real-time. Of course, unless "birds without feathers" (men that steals) are at play, our approach ensures accurate tracking of fish health throughout the farming cycle. Thank you once again for sharing your perspective-it’s always great to engage with viewers who have a keen understanding of aquaculture practices!

[@kennethnedu3327]

@WillyFleuren thank you so much sir for taking out time to reply to comments and engage with your followers. It tells so much about your personality. Thank you for more clarity. Do you have presence of king fishers(birds) and water snakes around the earthen ponds? Because I did not see nets over the ponds. Although, it is at post fingerlings and juvenile stages that are more endangered to these predators. They could also be risk factors in considering mortalities.

[@WillyFleuren]

Thanks for your message Kenneth, Well, at the moment, incidences of such are hardly experienced on this farm. However, as precautionary measures, We usually have nets to mitigate these predators immediately we stock them in the earthen pond (Post fingerlings). We keep them well protected till they are almost due for harvest.

[@bah2singtatato116]

The most reliable research team found in Nigeria or any part of Africa are those experts from China. The experts are all experienced academic. These Chinese farming ecperts, they not only gave you/share their knowlege, they actually stay with the farmers, each morning they were seen working hand on side by side with the farmers. At certain hour, they will give lecture and after that they will be back to field work. On top of that the Chinese government will finamce the whole project... and the Chinese government do it for free with uncondtional terms. With such team work in no time those African farmers standard has been rsise to a higher level. God bless

[@WillyFleuren]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It’s undeniable that collaboration with experienced teams, such as the Chinese experts you’ve mentioned, can significantly uplift farming practices and standards. Their hands-on approach, coupled with consistent knowledge-sharing and fieldwork, is indeed commendable. That said, it’s also essential to recognize the remarkable progress and expertise being developed within Africa itself. African farmers and aquaculture experts are continually advancing, leveraging local knowledge and adapting global practices to suit their unique contexts. Partnerships, whether local or international, work best when there is mutual respect and a shared goal of sustainable growth. Thank you again for your comment, and let’s continue to celebrate and promote collaboration in agriculture and aquaculture across all borders!

[@bah2singtatato116]

@WillyFleuren Very well define, God bless them.

[@InvestinHope-o4r]

My questions is. This pond has 2500 fish in the earthen pond. That looks like over stocking. How did he put so much fish in such a small pond?

[@WillyFleuren]

Thank you for your observation and for bringing up such an important question! It’s great to see your attention to detail, as stocking density is indeed a critical factor in fish farming. You’re absolutely right that 2,500 fish might seem like overstocking at first glance, but it’s actually not the case here. Many people assume the size of the pond determines its capacity, but the true determinant is the flushing rate-the ability to maintain high water quality by efficiently exchanging water. The earthen pond in this video is a flow-through system, which means fresh water is continuously flowing in while waste water is flushed out. This ensures optimal oxygen levels and water quality, allowing us to comfortably stock at higher densities without compromising the health or wellbeing of the fish. I did a lecture on Capacity 3 years ago. You can also refer to it -- kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2eVhn6ve6afiNksi=Xld5Qvd9n65hRek7 Thanks again for raising this important point! Engaging discussions like these help demystify aquaculture practices and contribute to better farming outcomes for everyone.

[@olatonaoredola2821]

Thanks Willy for your good work but it's derogatory to say that when you're born in Nigeria you are poor and you remain poor. If Nigeria is poor what is Willy doing in Suleja ...

[@WillyFleuren]

Thank you, Oredola, for your thoughtful comment regarding the remark at 13:15 of the video. 🙏 Let me assure you, the statement was not intended to be derogatory. Instead, it aimed to highlight a mindset I’ve encountered among some Nigerians who blame their challenges entirely on the country, using it as an excuse to avoid seeking solutions or growth. The pause after the statement was deliberate-I wanted to challenge that limiting belief and encourage reflection. As you rightly noted, if Nigeria is truly so poor, why would I, as a foreigner, choose to live and work here? The truth is, Nigeria is a land of abundant opportunities. While no country is without its challenges, success is achievable here with hard work, the right mindset, and continuous learning. I’ve lived happily in this great country for over 13 years. I’m married to a beautiful Nigerian woman and have two amazing children. Nigeria has brought me joy and fulfillment, and I wouldn’t make such a statement to undermine the potential of this wonderful nation. Thank you for sharing your perspective-it’s always great to engage in meaningful dialogue. I hope this clears things up, and I appreciate your understanding!

[@paulirving2986]

Stop calling this boy Mr. The boy name is Willy. So, call him Willy.

[@WillyFleuren]

😃 Thanks for your feedback

[@kennedynthiwa5100]

Are there no black fish experts in that area? Or is it that a white man is better than everybody else? I'm just wondering, folks.

[@WillyFleuren]

While I’m not entirely sure of the intent behind your comment, I’d like to provide some clarity. If you’ve explored the catfish farming space, you’ll notice that most of the content and knowledge shared comes from black professionals and passionate Nigerian farmers who have played a significant role in growing this industry. That said, the focus shouldn’t be on the skin color of the individual sharing knowledge but rather on the value and relevance of their message. Before settling in Nigeria, I worked closely with my late friend and business partner, Ade Alakija, at Durante Fish Industries. Together, we were pioneers in African aquaculture, laying the foundation for what has helped Nigeria become one of the largest catfish farming nations in the world today. To learn more about this work and legacy, you can explore the following links: Pioneers of African Aquaculture - Ade Alakija - thefishsite.com/articles/pioneers-of-african-aquaculture-ade-alakija African Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus) - aqua-spark.nl/blogs/african-catfish-clarias-gariepinus/ For context, I hold a Master’s degree in Fish Farming and Water Purification from Wageningen University in the Netherlands and have been actively involved in aquaculture since 1984. Over the years, I’ve faced numerous challenges, made mistakes, and gained valuable insights. My goal is to share these lessons to help others succeed and avoid the pitfalls I encountered, regardless of background or nationality. Ultimately, what matters is not who shares the knowledge, but how beneficial and impactful it is. Thank you again for your comment, and I welcome you to learn more about my work through the links above. Let’s continue to grow this industry together!