Introduction

In South Asian aquaculture, some species earn respect not because they grow the fastest or fetch the highest price, but because they keep farmers financially safe in unpredictable climates. Singhi—known scientifically as Heteropneustes fossilis—belongs firmly in this category. It is small, hardy, intensely adaptive, air-breathing, and capable of thriving in places where most freshwater fish simply collapse. Farmers often consider it the “backup engine” of village aquaculture: even when ponds dry partially, temperatures rise sharply, or dissolved oxygen dips dangerously low, Singhi continues to move, feed, and grow.

During several field interactions in rural West Bengal, Assam, and Bangladesh, a common observation repeated itself: farmers may suffer losses in carp or tilapia cycles, but Singhi always gives a stable harvest. In one village near Barisal, an elderly farmer explained that Singhi is the only species that saved him during three consecutive years of erratic monsoon. “It breathes from air, it lives in mud, it survives like it is built for crises,” he said.

Singhi’s survival instinct is not an exaggeration. The species possesses a pair of elongated air sacs that function like primitive lungs, allowing it to remain alive even in severely degraded water. This biological advantage makes Singhi one of the most profitable species for tank-based aquaculture, backyard farming, biofloc hybrid units, and small-waterbody operations across South Asia.

This guide provides a complete, scientifically rich, human-narrative explanation of Singhi farming—from water ecology and behaviour patterns to economics, feeding, growth modelling, and global market structures.

Natural Habitat, Behaviour & Ecological Role

Singhi belongs to the order Siluriformes and thrives in shallow marshes, swamps, paddy-field channels, home tanks, and slow-moving rivers. What makes Singhi remarkable is that it performs best in places that would suffocate most other species. Its natural habitat is muddy, weed-rich, low-oxygen water—conditions that define rural South Asian wetlands.

The fish shows a quiet, calculated behaviour. Unlike Magur, which roams actively, Singhi prefers slow, deliberate movements along the pond edges or around submerged vegetation. In tanks, it spends long periods resting near shaded zones, occasionally rising to the surface to take gulps of air. This rhythm ensures energy conservation, resulting in excellent feed conversion efficiency.

Its ecological role is equally important. Singhi controls small worms, crustaceans, and insects, helping stabilise aquatic food webs in rice–fish integrated farming systems. Many farmers report that Singhi stabilises the benthic layer by regulating microbial decomposers.

Climate Suitability & Environmental Requirements

Singhi’s range spreads across tropical and subtropical climates. Ideal temperature remains between 25°C and 32°C, although the species can tolerate temperatures both above and below this band without major stress.

Unlike carps, Singhi does not rely on dissolved oxygen. Still, commercial farming requires basic water hygiene. Tanks or ponds with soft muddy bottoms and stable microbial activity give the best results.

Some important environmental observations shared by farmers include:

Water with very high alkalinity slows feeding.

Excess ammonia causes surface irritation but Singhi recovers quickly after water dilution.

Moderate shading increases feeding frequency.

Slightly turbid water improves comfort compared to very clear water.

Singhi adapts to varied pH ranges between 6.5 and 8.5. It prefers water where organic matter decomposes naturally, providing a steady supply of microorganisms.

Pond, Tank & Controlled Systems for Singhi

Earthen Ponds

These require shallow depths—typically 3 to 4 feet. Farmers shape steep side boundaries to prevent escape because Singhi is agile and climbs muddy edges during rains.

Cement Tanks & HDPE Tanks

Urban and peri-urban aquaculture entrepreneurs prefer tanks because Singhi responds extremely well to controlled feeding and high densities. Circular tanks distribute oxygen more evenly, making them suitable for medium-scale production.

Biofloc Hybrid Systems

Singhi dislikes heavy floc density, but it thrives in diluted-floc systems. Farmers often use partial floc tanks with 20–30% floc density, allowing clean-water-dominant environments while providing supplemental biofloc nutrition.

Backyard Farming

Small ferro-cement tanks, plastic tubs, or small lined pits are common in rural households. These micro-systems support year-round production, often for local markets.

Pond Conditioning & Soil Profile

Successful Singhi production depends on a balanced soil profile. A moderate level of organic matter in the pond bottom stimulates healthy microorganism activity without creating anaerobic pockets. Farmers generally dry the pond bottom until fine cracks appear, then apply a thin layer of poultry manure or cow dung to initiate plankton development.

Liming is done based on soil pH, not as a routine step. Excessive liming can disturb Singhi’s comfort because it prefers mildly soft, slightly acidic to neutral soil.

Refilling the pond happens slowly, allowing microbial layering to develop naturally. This ensures a stable benthic food web before stocking the fingerlings.

Seed Production & Fingerling Selection

Hatcheries produce Singhi seeds through hormone-induced breeding. Fingerlings typically measure between 4 and 7 cm. Farmers consistently emphasise the importance of active, uniform-sized seed because Singhi exhibits mild cannibalistic tendencies during early stages.

The best fingerlings:

swim actively in short bursts

display a dark, glossy appearance

respond quickly to water movement

have no visible fin damage

Acclimatisation involves temperature balancing and gradual mixing to avoid shock.

Stocking Density Models

Singhi adapts to densities that exceed those of carp by a wide margin.

Earthen Pond Density

15,000–20,000 per acre in basic systems
20,000–30,000 per acre in semi-intensive systems

Tank Farming

250–350 fish per cubic meter
Some farmers push to 400 per cubic meter with high aeration

Biofloc Hybrid

300–400 per cubic meter in low-floc tanks

As density increases, feed management and ammonia control become crucial.

Feeding Behaviour & Diet Composition

Singhi shows excellent feed conversion due to its ability to digest high-protein natural items. In natural ponds, it feeds on:

insects

small worms

larvae

zooplankton

decomposing organic matter

In commercial systems, farmers use:

rice bran + oilcake mixtures

semi-floating pellets (25–30% protein)

earthworms for early stages

low-cost farm-made feed in rural setups

The fish prefers softer feed initially and gradually transitions to pellets. Because Singhi is air-breathing, it spends more time feeding near the bottom.

Growth Cycle & Performance

Under proper feeding:

80–120g in 2 months

200–250g in 3 months

350–450g in 5 months

600–900g in 8–10 months

1 kg+ in 12 months

Growth is faster in cleaner, shaded tanks compared to open ponds.

Farmers often harvest in batches every 4–6 months to maintain biomass flow.

Cost Structure & Economic Feasibility

A typical Singhi pond or tank culture model involves:

seed

feed

tank/pond preparation

labour

aeration (for high density)

water management

Average expenditure:

INR ₹2 lakh to ₹2.7 lakh

USD $2400–$3300

Market price:

India: $4–6 per kg

Bangladesh: $4–5

Nepal: $5–7

Middle East (imported): $7–11 per kg

Asian supermarkets abroad: $8–12

Profit margins frequently reach 60–78%, particularly in tank or semi-intensive systems.

Health Benefits & Nutritional Value

Per 100g:

Protein ~17g

Fat ~3–4g

Iron, phosphorus, potassium

Vitamins B12 and D

Anti-fatigue restorative properties

Many regions consider Singhi a medicinal fish due to its benefits in injury recovery and immunity improvement.

Market Dynamics & Export Scope

Singhi enjoys premium demand in live markets. Restaurants and medical diet suppliers also seek it regularly. Export potential exists mainly in frozen and gutted forms, although live export is limited due to regulatory restrictions.

Bangladesh and India supply significant volumes to Middle Eastern supermarkets catering to South Asian communities.

Challenges & Management Solutions

The main challenges include:

fingerling cannibalism

ammonia accumulation in tanks

fungal infections in overcrowded environments

feed competition at high densities

Solutions:

grading fingerlings

regular bottom cleaning

controlled feeding

early disease monitoring

Singhi’s resilience significantly reduces mortality even under stress.

FAQs

Is Singhi easier to farm than Magur?
Yes. Singhi demands even less water and adapts better to small tanks.

Does it need oxygenation?
Only in high-density systems; otherwise, its air-breathing organ compensates.

What is the best farming system?
Cement tanks or small backyard tanks produce the highest profits.

Is Singhi profitable year-round?
Yes, due to constant market demand and low mortality.

Conclusion

Singhi stands as one of the most dependable species for small and commercial aquaculture worldwide. Its unique biology, ability to breathe air, tolerance to extreme environments, and compatibility with various farming systems make it an essential species for sustainable fish farming. With proper feeding, density management, and water hygiene, Singhi guarantees reliable profits and long-term economic stability for farmers across tropical regions.

✍️Farming Writers Team
Love farming Love farmers

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