Monitoring Water Maintenance

The water quality and quantity in the fish pond is very important to fish production. The following instructions should be followed carefully:

• Quality water should neither be too acidic or alkaline. It should contain enough dissolved oxygen. It should not be muddy or have any offensive colour.
• Pond water should be free from pollutants like detergents, oil films and petrochemicals.
• Maintain pond water which should be green.
• Water PH level should be between 6.5 and 9. When the water PH level is low, and in acidic condition the water tastes sour and prevents phytoplankton growth, the pond should be limed using agricultural lime. You can contact an expert for assistance.
• Watch out for low dissolved oxygen which is revealed when fish come up to gasp for air, and when the water has an offensive colour.
• If symptoms of low oxygen are detected, take immediate action like stopping fertilization, reducing feeding rate, changing the water and replacing with fresh oxygenated water.
• Prevent run-off water from entering the pond by constructing proper drainage channels.
• Locate ponds far away from industrial centres, oil fields, and chemicals. This is the first step to preventing toxic pollution which can lead to death of fishes.
• Maintain pond water level especially during dry season. Replenish water by adding new water to influence water temperature. This is also good time to plant trees to provide shade for the pond.
• Remove thick black mud from the bottom of the pond from time to time.