1T/H Floating Catfish Pelleting Machine in Bangladesh

Why the Cooperative Chose a Single Floating Catfish Pellet Machine

Like many small pond owners in Bangladesh, this cooperative traditionally relied on bagged feed from regional mills. The cost was high, delivery times uncertain, and the pellets often crumbled quickly in warm pond water, leading to waste and poor feed conversion.

Instead of investing in a full processing plant—which was beyond their current budget—they chose to purchase a single floating fish feed extruder, install it in an existing shed, and link it to a local grinder and mixer they already owned.

This allowed them to produce exactly 1 ton per hour of fresh, stable floating catfish pellets, just enough to cover daily feeding for around 35 small ponds. The cooperative now controls pellet size, floatability, and ingredient quality, which is critical for catfish, a species that prefers floating feed at the surface.

The Specific Model They Bought

After comparing different sizes, the cooperative selected the RICHI SPHS75×2 twin-screw floating fish feed extruder. Its scale matches their production needs, fits within their limited three-phase power connection, and is easy to run with minimal skilled labor.

Key specs for this Bangladesh catfish feed mill project:

• Model: SPHS75×2
• Main Motor Power: 55 kW
• Screw Diameter: 75 mm
• Feeder Motor Power: 1.5 kW
• Conditioner Power: 7.5 kW (DC400-244)
• Differential Conditioner Power: 11 kW (DC400×300-244)
• Output Capacity: 0.5–1 t/h

This compact setup helps them test new feed formulas without overproducing, which is vital for cash flow management.

Local Raw Materials: Affordable and Accessible

The feed formula was designed to be practical and sourced from Bangladesh’s agricultural heartland. The cooperative’s typical mix looks like this:

• Rice bran (40%): Readily available byproduct from local rice mills.
• Broken rice (25%): Inexpensive and digestible energy source.
• Mustard cake (20%): Common protein source in Bangladesh, pressed from mustard oil production.
• Fishmeal (10%): Made from local small fish by-catch.
• Minerals, binders, vitamins (5%): Added to meet nutritional targets.

This recipe keeps input costs stable and avoids expensive imported protein. With the floating catfish pelleting machine, the cooperative can control cooking temperature and moisture, ensuring durable, water-stable pellets.

Why Floating Feed Matters So Much in Bangladesh

Farmers in Bangladesh have learned from experience that sinking feed increases waste and pond pollution. Catfish feed at the surface when temperatures are warm, and uneaten pellets that sink spoil water quality and increase disease risk.

This is why the cooperative insisted on a floating fish feed extruder rather than a standard pellet mill. The twin-screw system gelatinizes starches evenly, producing a light, expanded pellet that stays afloat until fully consumed.

Serving Catfish and More: Future Product Plans

While their immediate focus is on pangas catfish, the cooperative sees potential to make small runs for koi and tilapia growers in the same region. They’ve already trialed tiny batches of low-protein starter pellets for juvenile fish and plan to test high-fat koi feed next season.

The twin-screw design gives them flexibility to adjust recipes and die sizes without large downtime. They even see an opportunity to supply simple pet food—dog kibble—using surplus capacity during the off-season.

Solving Challenges Unique to Bangladesh's Small Aquaculture Sector

Before investing in their floating catfish pellet machine, this cooperative faced familiar headaches:

• Expensive bagged feed with inconsistent quality.
• Poor pellet durability, especially during hot monsoon months.
• High transportation costs from distant feed mills.
• Little control over pellet size and oil content, which hurt feed efficiency.

Now, with the RICHI SPHS75×2 floating catfish pelleting machine in Bangladesh, they have direct control over extrusion cooking, expansion, and pellet moisture. This means more stable feed, cleaner ponds, and healthier fish with better feed conversion ratios.

The Role of the Twin-Screw Extruder in Tropical Conditions

Bangladesh’s humid climate can ruin feed fast if moisture levels are wrong. The twin-screw configuration of this floating catfish pelleting machine in Bangladesh ensures the mash is cooked thoroughly and evenly, reducing mold risks and improving shelf life.

This is particularly important when using raw materials like rice bran and mustard cake, which can spoil easily if the process is not precise.

Installation and Local Support: Simple and Practical

RICHI’s local service partner handled delivery, setup, and startup training for three cooperative members. The floating catfish pellet machine fit easily into their refurbished feed shed, with a simple screw conveyor linking it to their existing grinder and mixer.

RICHI’s technician stayed for two full days, helping calibrate recipes, adjust die pressure, and teach operators basic maintenance. A spare parts kit was included to minimize downtime.

Environmental Benefit: Using Local By-products Wisely

By sourcing rice bran, broken rice, and mustard cake locally, the cooperative reduces food chain waste and adds value for nearby farmers and oil processors. They are also experimenting with small percentages of dried duckweed as an additional protein source—something that grows abundantly in Bangladesh’s ponds and canals.

This local loop strengthens community income and keeps feed money circulating inside the region.

Future Plans: Scaling Up Smartly

If the 1t/h floating catfish pelleting machine in Bangladesh reaches full capacity within two years, the cooperative plans to add a second extruder or invest in a small packaging line for branded 10kg and 20kg feed bags.

They're also discussing the idea of renting out spare machine hours to other pond owners, spreading the benefits to neighbors who can’t yet afford their own fish feed pelletizer.

Why Small Farmers Trust RICHI for Floating Fish Feed Solutions

This cooperative's story shows that you don't need a massive feed factory to feed healthy fish. With the right floating catfish pelleting machine, a basic grinder, and a practical mixer, even small pond owners can control quality, cut costs, and grow profits.

The RICHI SPHS75×2 floating catfish pelleting machine in Bangladesh gives them freedom to adjust, expand, and serve more customers—all with minimal risk.

Ready to Take Charge of Your Catfish Feed? Let’s Talk.

If you’re a fish farmer, small fish feed mill, or aquaculture group in Bangladesh, there’s no reason to keep relying on costly bagged feed. RICHI can help you build your own smart, small-scale feed solution with a floating fish feed machine, floating catfish pelletizer, or a custom-designed fish feed production line.

From local training to spare parts, RICHI stays with you every step of the way—so you can grow healthy fish and healthy profits.

Contact RICHI Machinery today and see how we can make floating catfish feed work better for you — one pellet at a time.