Rearing prized ikan empurau
Saturday November 11, 2006 (the star)
KUCHING: Forester Dr Elli Luhat has a dream – turning his childhood fish-rearing hobby into breeding Sarawak’s most prized fish species commercially.
The Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation forest resource manager has taken a major step in breeding the ikan empurau and ikan semah in several ponds in his house compound in Taman Satria Jaya here.
Ikan empurau, Sarawak’s most expensive freshwater fish, fetches between RM350 and RM380 a kg while ikan semah fetches between RM150 and RM200 a kg.
Even at that price, ikan empurau is hard to come by as the fish is rarely found, and only in the interiors of Kapit Division and Baram in northern Sarawak.
“Ikan empurau survives well in stone-based clear water rivers. The fish can grow up to 20kg.
“I feel that the fish is tastier than any other fish,” said Dr Luhat, an Orang Ulu from Belaga in Kapit Division.
He claimed to be the only one who had successfully bred the two types of fish in captivity.
“I try to simulate the pond environment to as close as the natural habitat through the control of water temperature, oxygen and pH content,” he added.
Dr Luhat said he obtained some 600 ikan empurau and 1,000 ikan semah fry from the state Agriculture Department more than seven months ago and the fish had now grown to about 700gms.
Describing the ikan empurau and ikan semah as a “swimming goldmine,” Dr Luhat said: “My dream is to grow ikan empurau to 3kg in three years.
“At that size, each fish will be worth about RM1,000. It will be a whopping RM500,000 to have 500 mature ikan empurau.”
He said Australian scientists helping the Agriculture Department to produce the fry for release into the river and streams had encouraged him to go commercial in breeding the fish.
Source: stac.com.my
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43 Responses to “Rearing prized ikan empurau”
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How big is the market, Dr.?
3 kgs in 3 years?
How much electricity would be used by then?
How about labour & feed?
Is it economically viable, sir?
Why rare Ikan Empurau ? ?
You know, i’m known by the press for equating this fish as a “swimming gold mine”. I have various reasons for that. Firstly, the market for frozen empurau now is ranging from RM380-RM450 per kg. And presently, for the broodstocks (8″ to 14″ length); i’m selling at RM50/inch. Those below 8″ long (fingerlings) is priced at RM30/inch. Now the potential market is huge. China market alone needs several containers per shipment. Now this is really a challenge for empurau breeders. Just imargine, how many tails of the fish can filledup a 30ft x 30ft container !
Growth rate of Empurau rared in captivity:
Under my present technology, the growth rate is 1kg within three years, approximately. And I’m still trying to improve that overtimes. Now ! let compare this experience with that of Ikan Tilapia Merah. This fish can grow up to about 1kg within 8-12 months. This means that on the same space, over a period of 3 years, we can produced 3 kgs of tilapia. And the market price now is only $8/kg , & this could totalled up to about $24 of revenues. Now ! let us do the same simple calculation on Empurau ! ! !
Electricity consumtion for Empurau breeding:
Now this is amongst the many challenges, that I’m facing. My bill runs up to several hundres ringgits per month. However, the project remains viable as this ’swimming gold mine’ continue grow with the existing market. I’m facing this problem positively., by exploring various alternative powersources, namely solar, wind and mini hydro. Actually, now i’m trying to conceptualize the later for a solution to this problem ! I think a “Mini Bakun” is practically possible . . . with God blessing !
So the fry is not cheap e.g. for below 8″ long, 30RM/kg so 8×30=Rm 240. Sell at 3 kg after 3 years, 3 x 400 = RM 1200. Minus electricity etc. Still got profit or not?
At what age we should sell the fish? At 3 years?
Hi Brother !
Less all the costs, you still have atleast 4-5 hundered ringgits margin per tail. Now says you have got several hundred tails . . . ? You may want to sell them either as fries, fingerlings, broodstocks or as table-fish at any size of your choice (3-30kg). Pls remember that at the broodstock age, their growth rate is picking fast – as at that stage,they can take or eat more feeds.
Dr., is this empurau is the same specis as ‘ikan kelah merah’ as so called by the malays in peninsular Malaysia?
Dr,
What do you feed your empurau?
I’ve semah in my tank and i feed them with talipia grower feed and occasionally I feed them bananas & chicken meet.Is it ok?
What’s the diff bet semah/empurau from ULu & those from KL?
Again, is our empurau is the one/same species that is called Ikan kelah merah in west Malaysia Doctor?
To my knowledge, non of the research works done todate confirmed our empurau and the kelah merah in west Malaysia are of the same species or vice versa.
Nevertheless, they are confirmed of the same genus i.e. Tor. In S’wak, we’ve 3 types of empurau – hitam, merak & putih. May be, the merah one is equivalence to the kelah merah, we don’t know for sure.
As for the types of feed, i believe that they can take ant type of organic feeds such as wild fruits & meat. But the important thing is don’t ever “over-fed” them …that will harm them ! because fish doesn’t any stomach.
Do you still conduct your seminar on rearing empurau/semah? Wouls like to attend the next one if any.What’s the fees?
Dr,. bisi nuan study enti ngena Solar power to energize the pump ba pegung nya? Cheaper than electricity cost?
Dr,
I’m really touched and impressed by your way of rearing semah and empurau.For your info, I have a few tails of empurau and semah in my aquarium (rearing them only as a hobby). Now I want to extend it into a bigger scale(eg. rearing them in ponds), then what are the basics necessities/tools(peralatan) that I should have? Thank you.
Hello Dr. I’m really impressed by your concept hobby and turning it to gold mine, sure there is lots of challenge before the good harvest right?
I’m very much interested to learn from you on rearing this exotic fish, I already have a freshwater fish ponds with flowing clear river water, now I’m trying to build a pond around my house and thinking of rearing this exotic fish like semah & empurau.
Are you selling any fries? and how much per tail?
hi, people, DR
i m just getting to know about ikan kelah merah and now i m reading about ikan empurau…looks like its so expensive in swak. in kl kelah merah is touching rm50 to rm250 per piece depending on the length from 3 inch and above.
Must also remember , i think the proper way to do this is also for every 5 empurau you put on the market 1 is released in the river.
dr,
i have some lands in Betong and not knowing what to do with it.Im interested in your fish(empurau) rearing and also planting jatropha and gaharu.I know interest alone will not get me anywhere because many time i heard failure occured many times before one can be successful. Do u conduct any course on these three in the near future?
Dear Mr. Jim b,
pls be informed that, starting from next month (March),DLT Institute will be conducting regular courses & workshops on “Smart-Farming” with emphasis on all these. So pls be in contact always.
Thanks!
Dr,
Do you have any individual that i can contact for “baby”empurau?please contact me at sigatjessie@Yahoo.com..Tank you..GOD Bless
Dear Dr. Luhat, I am very interested in attending the course/workshop in empurau farming you mentioned about which will be conducted by DLT institute starting from March 2009. Please kindly let me know how to get in touch with DLT institute (telephone number/ address) so that I can enroll in the course. Thank you! koksenkee@gmail.com
Dr,
Sy org Kayan baram,skrg menetap di MJC.Sy sudah lama sngt berminat dengan ikan semah/empurau pasal di kampung sy banyak ikan ni.Sy dh plan dgn bapa nak start projek ni dari tahun lepas dh.Di mana sy boleh blajar?seminar?Dapatkan lebih pengetahuan tentang ikan ni.KALAU BOLEH,SY NAK JUMPA DR.HARAP DR SUDI…0198760587
Hi Dr,
I am a fish hobbist and crazy about river fish. I have more than 1000 Ikan Kelah in my own facilities.
I am interested in growing Empurau, is the fingering avaiable to ship to Johor, West Malaysia.
Is the the fingering now from artificial breeding or it is from artificial breeding.
Can I visit you in Sarawak so that I can learn more.
dr
can u give a simple guideline about the natural habitat through the control of water temperature, oxygen and pH content. do u sell “baby” empurau? if yes, i interested to buy. i can be reach at this email add nigeljack@yahoo.com
cheers
nigel
Dear Dr. Luhat,
Congrats!!!I’m from semenanjung. Would like to ask you few questions: -
1) Is ikan semah same as ikan tengas in semenanjung?
b) What is the best type of feed for ikan empurau/kelah? I mean for fries/fingerlings for fast-growing. I think the easiest way is pellet feeding, but any recommended specs for pellet?
c) What is the recommended pH value for water for empurau?
Thanks.
im selling ikan empurau at selangor…bagaimana kah utk memastikan bahawa itu adalah ikan empurau..apakah ciri2 ikan empurau
Hi,
I am sourcing for Enkabang or Shorea macrophylla fruits that the Empurau feed on.
I am doing some experimental aquaculture feed, and will be grateful if you can send some information on where I can buy some in West and Esat Malaysia. I thinking of say 25kg for a start.
Thanks,
Jeff
Hi Dr. Elli,
I been impressed by you about the artificial breeding of Empurau since last year when it published to the news. I think it’s a good opportunity for all Sarawakian especially we have a specialist like you. And I am very interested also in attending the course/workshop in empurau farming you mentioned about. So, please kindly let me know how to get in touch with DLT institute and the particular of the course. Thank you! hayes_teo@yahoo.com.my
I am writing from Kota Kinabalu,Sabah. My passion for nature and fish bring me to set up over 20 acres of land which I intend it for Agro-eco tourism. On my land now , there are 11 ponds with about 20,000 pieces of red tilapia, black tilapia, Sultan fish and Patin..and more are added periodically. On the same land there is 5 acres of orchard with practically all kind of tropical fruit. Beside, I do collect various kinds of herb and spices.. At the same time, I had completed various ethnic designs chalet, tree-top cabins etc for tourist accomodation. My facilities will be open in a month’s time to receive guest. Talking back about this exotic fishes from Sarawak, I am keen to attempt to rear the empurau etc.. Any assistance will be appreciated. And for those who are nature lover or who are into something I am doing now, please do email me at vkkngu@gmail.com or vkkngu@hotmail.com. We can share the experience. And all are most welcome to my place.
Saya mau menawarkan penjualan ikan empurau/kelah merah klau bapak berminat boleh menghub saya 6281397766000 dan 626177906600.
thank’s
Ahong
DR,
recently there is shortage of this fish in the market…. in bakun ‘taukeh’ are looking for this type of fish…. is it possible that the small river ‘ilep’(kelah) can grow up to 2 kilo???
Last yer my uncle put a few kelah in pond(SOIL based pond) , after a few month i discover that that they grow faster than on cement based pond… do they eat soil????
~TerryTuvakEdaBeran~
Hi Dr Luhat,
May I know how can I contact you ?
I wish to know more about this fish.
Thank you.
B.rgds,
Ed
Dear Dr. Eli,
I read with interest your sucess in culturing ikan semah and ikan empurau. I plan to start rearing these speciesof fish in one of my ponds which has natural rocks and fed by mountain running waters. I need your advise on the feasibility of the project and the basic requirements need for starting this project. Your assistance is very much appreciated.
Saya ada simpan keratan Projek Dr. yang akan di laksanakan pada bulan depan – Utusan Malaysia 30 Januari 2010 di Tapah Perak. Projek Jetropa dan ternakan ikan empurau. Saya ada tanah 160 ekar di Slim River Perak . 30 km dari Tapah. Saya berminat untok JV dengan Dr. atau jual tanah kepada Dr. sebahagiannya. – Tel 019-5088625. Terima kasih. responds dari Dr. amat dihargai.
title land consist of 160 acres at Slim River Perak – near Tapah Perak. We wish to developed either JV or selling of our land. Your kind reply is very gratefull – 019-5088625. Thank u.
Dr.,
I am very interested to become dealer/agent for this kind of fish; empurau. Please advice.
Nizam Ismail
nizam2002@hotmail.com
hellooo kawan semua…
kalo nak dapat tentang penternakan ikan kolam ni..baik pegi kat jabatan perikanan…kat san sekurang-kurangnya kita leh la dapat serba-serbi maklumat…
just go strait forward there…then u can get something there…..pilihan jalan kedua…
Dr,
I’m currently rearing Jelawat Putih (leptobarbus hoevenii)and baung merah. I’m wondering, Do you sell empurau fry to West Malaysia? I’m interest to rear a few of the empurau.
ras.aquasafe@gmail.com
Actually, I would like to sell my empurau when it is more than 10 kg. This is a tatsy meat at this weight. According to Dr, it takes 3 years for an empurau to grow up to a kilogram, therefore, it would take at least 30 years for it to reach a 10 kg weight. Now, I am half a century old. By the time my ikan reach 10 kg, I am too old to enjoy the money from the sale.
Untung agi nyual anak iya.
Buah engkabang is actually one of the staple food of Empurau, Semah, keli or even big jelawat.
Dr. Elli Luhat
Im a chinese living in Ipoh Perak and i realy admire your determination and confidence in this Empurau Project you have started. You have given me the courage to keep on looking into the potential of this market despite all the negative comment i got from people.
Im writing to you for your help in the technical aspect of rearing Empurau. Hope we could further this dicussion trough any means of comunictions you wish. Thank you and best of luck in your project.
Dear Dr.
Your venture in empurau rearing really interest me. Do you conduct seminars or training for interested individual. Where can I have excess to purchase fry for this species.
I hope you would be kind to reply my request.
Thanks
Chng
hello Dr,
Dr, saya dengar dr akan mengadakan krusus d sibu. Boleh dr berikan maklumat dengan lanjut mengenai tempat dan tarikh krusus seandainya ada diadakan krusus di sibu?