Using Palm Oil as Stress Management for Catfish

Hello Hive
Good day, @homesteading family. How are we all doing today? You’re welcome to my blog.

Today, I’ll be sharing another interesting fact I’ve learned from working with my brother in the fish hatchery , the use of palm oil as a stress management aid for catfish.

From way back, whenever we took delivery of fish fingerlings from other farms, I always noticed a few drops of palm oil on the surface of the water. At the time, I never took the time to ask why.

A few days ago, we sorted our catfish juveniles, and again, a couple of drops of palm oil were added to the water during the process. That was when I became curious and decided to learn more.

Before I explain what palm oil does and how it helps manage stress in catfish, let me first highlight some major factors that cause stress in catfish.

What causes stress in catfish?

Generally, anything that disrupts the normal activities of catfish is a stressor. This includes:
Moving fish from one tank to another
Sorting or grading
Sudden water changes
Overcrowding is another major stress factor. When fish are overcrowded, there isn’t enough space for movement and proper breathing.

Sudden changes in temperature or pH, as well as overfeeding, can also stress catfish. And of course, we must not forget poor water quality, which is one of the biggest stress triggers.

Using palm oil as a traditional anti-stress method

Now let’s talk about the use of palm oil as a traditional anti-stress remedy for catfish. As we all know, palm oil is edible and not a drug. However, it must be used with caution.

So how does palm oil act as an anti-stress agent?

When a few drops of palm oil are added to the water during sorting or transportation, it helps prevent catfish from experiencing low energy levels.

Palm oil contains healthy fats, and just a small quantity in the water helps boost the fish’s energy. As water passes through their gills, tiny amounts are absorbed into their system. Please note that too much palm oil can be harmful, which is why only a few drops are used.

Once sorting is completed or the fish arrive at their destination, they are transferred into clean, fresh water, which further supports their recovery.

Palm oil also helps reduce injuries during stressful handling by supporting the fish’s body during the process. While catfish can survive for weeks without food, they cannot survive prolonged stress, as stress causes them to burn a lot of energy in a short time.

Additionally, palm oil contains vitamin E and antioxidants, which help prevent unnecessary damage to fish cells during stress and promote faster recovery afterward.

When catfish are stressed, they often stop eating and, in severe cases, may even die shortly after feeding. Palm oil helps maintain their strength so they can resume feeding sooner than expected.

Some farmers also mix small quantities of palm oil into fish feed a few days before sorting or transportation. This helps boost the fish’s immune system ahead of the stressful event.

However, in our hatchery, my brother only adds a few drops of palm oil directly to the water during sorting or into the keg when the fish are being transported.

Just as palm oil has many benefits for humans, our catfish are not left out.
Thank you for stopping by my blog today.
Enjoy the rest of your day. Cheers