Coastal Aquaculture and Mariculture (2+1)

Unit 5 - Finfish culture systems

5.1.5. Pond preparation

• Decomposing algae are raked and spread evenly.
• Dykes are repaired and all leaks plugged.
• Ponds are dried to get rid of pests and to oxidize pond sediments.
• Fine mesh nets are installed in the inlets to prevent unwanted organisms from entering the ponds.
• Natural food, lab lab is grown at the bottom. Let some water into the ponds to the bottom wet all over.
• Apply agricultural lime at 1 ton per ha and chicken manure at 2 tons per ha on moist pond bottom.
• A week later apply ammonium phosphate at 20 kg per ha and urea at 10 kg per ha. The amounts of inputs may be changed depending on the productivity and pond history.
• As lab lab grows, increase water depth to 30 cm. Fertilizers again added after biweekly water exchange at the same or half the basal rate.
• Fry of about 5 mg size are stocked at the rate of 75 to 100 per m². They are harvested when they reach 5-10 g.
• Growout ponds are similarly prepared at stocked with fingerlings of size 5-10g at the rate of 7000-8000 fingerlings per ha.