Fish production in small oxidation ponds

Wrigley, T.J., Toerien, D.F. and Gaigher, I.G. (1988) Fish production in small oxidation ponds. Water Research, 22 (10). pp. 1279-1285.

Abstract

Four 10 m3 pilot scale, oxidation ponds linked in series were stocked with Clarias gariepinus (first three ponds) and on various occasions, combinations of Oreochromis mossambicus; Hypopthamichthys molitrix, Cyprinus carpio and Labeo umbratus were stocked in the fourth and last pond. During summer, O. mossambicus and C. carpio had average relative daily growth rates of 1.4 and 2.1%, respectively, while in winter both H. molitrix and L. umbratus lost weight and C. carpio grew slower. Small C. gariepinus (<2 g) grew rapidly in summer (relative daily growth rate of 5.9%), but during winter, relative daily growth rate was reduced to 0.2%. Large C. gariepinus (> 300 g) grew during summer at 0.5% body wt d-1. Extrapolated yields of 3-4 tonnes ha-1 of C. gariepinus and 2-3 tonnes ha-1 of O. mossambicus and C. carpio could be harvested from large scale oxidation pond systems. Low winter temperatures and low dissolved oxygen concentrations during spring restrict production. Mass mortality of fish occurred during summer probably due to oxygen deficiency and high unionized ammonia concentrations. Large reductions in Total Suspended Solids, Chlorophyll a and Chemical Oxygen Demand were achieved in the fourth pond though what effect fish had on these reductions was not conclusively determined. The possible role of fish in eutrophic water bodies is discussed.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	School of Biological and Environmental Sciences
Publisher:	Elsevier BV
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/34256

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