According to Mr Proencio of the ManilaBulletin, pangasius offers more income compared to other popular farmed fishes. However, it also requires higher capital.
One reason attributed to the high production expense is the cost of fingerlings, at P3.50 to P7 apiece, which is sourced all the way from Nueva Ecija.
Main reason however, is the cost of commercial feeds, which has been determined to account for nearly 80 percent of total production cost, reports the ManilaBulletin.
"Pangasius can easily grow to about one kilo in 6 months. To do so, the fish also requires more feeds as compared, for example, to tilapia," Dominador Abalos said during the recent Pangasius harvest field day involving fish grown in cages.
Alternative, Cheap Diets for Pangasius
PHILIPPINES - Small farmers are now in a better position to join the Pangasius bandwagon, writes Max Prodencio, after the fisheries bureau in Region 2 has determined the viability of feeding the fish with indigenous or alternative diet.