ESTABLISHMENT OF FISH POND

CONDITIONS OR FACTORS NECESSARY FOR SITING A FISH POND

The factors or conditions necessary for siting a fish pond include:

(1)    Adequate water supply.

(2)    Soil in the area.

(3)    Vegetation of the area.

(4)    Topography of the area.

(5)    Availability of fast-growing fishes.

(6)    Availability of supplementary feedstuff.

(1) Adequate water supply:  There must be a constant supply of water of good quality and quantity. The water can be from streams, lakes, rivers, irrigation canals, springs, etc. Good quality water is necessary because it will provide Oxygen and food to fish, and create a medium for waste discharge and reproduction. The water should not have a bad smell, taste, or color should not be too muddy, and must be free from pollution.

(2) Soil in the area:  Soil in the area must be fertile to supply nutrients to the fish. It should be clay because of its ability to hold water which is very important in fish pond construction. Soil with too much sand or gravel is not good and would not retain water.

(3) Vegetation of the area:  Low vegetation, especially grasslands are preferred. Woody sites are not suitable because clearing and stumping will greatly increase the cost of setting up the fish pond.

(4) Topography:  The shape of the land should allow for easy draining and filling of the pond with water. The water must flow from a place that is higher than the pond so that the water can flow into the pond directly. If not, the need for water pumps would arise and this will increase the cost of the project. However, fish ponds can be constructed on a flat or level ground but lots of soil has to be removed to create the slope.

(5) Availability of fast-growing fish:  Fingerlings or baby fish for stocking a fish pond should be the type that can grow fast and mature within a very short time. The use of improved varieties (breeds) in stocking fish ponds makes fish farming more profitable.

(6) Availability of supplementary feedstuff:  Supplementary feeding is done to ensure rapid growth of fish and allow high stocking density. Artificial or compounded feeds in the form of pellets are used to supplement the natural feed (planktons) The addition of fertilizers also promotes the rapid growth of planktons (natural fish food) in the pond.

Importance of Fish

Fish products and other aquatic food organisms are useful to man in various ways. Some of their

Importance is as follows:

1. Food: Fish is useful as food for man, it is eaten by man as part of his diet. Fish is a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals necessary to keep the body healthy and strong.
2. Source of income: Fishes serve as a source of income for fish farmers and traders. They are sold for money which provides a major source of income.

       3. Feed: Fish and its products such as bones can be used in the manufacture of animal (livestock) feed especially in poultry feed. The shellfish such as oysters and squids supply calcium in poultry feeds. Dead fish and its parts are ground into fish meal as a source of animal protein.

      4.Medicinal purpose: Fish products such as the cod liver have medicinal properties. It supplies vitamins, especially for babies. In addition, some species of tilapia and minnows have been used to control malaria in the tropics. They are used for biological control (prey) of mosquitoes.

     5.Recreation: Fishing as a form of recreation or sports has played an important role in society and some cultures for instance, in the Argungu festival in northern Nigeria.

     6.Entertainment: Fish ponds provide entertainment to many people. People derive pleasure from watching fish in ponds, aquariums, and documentaries.

     7. Scientific study (education): Fishes are used for scientific study, experiment, and research to widen and increase knowledge.

      8. Raw materials: Fish and its products provide raw materials for agro-based industries for instance, in canneries such as geisha, sardine, and tuna fish industries. In addition, fish oil is a basic raw material for industries that make paints, enamels, candles, soaps, and vanishes.

    9 .Leather: The skin of fishes, especially sharks, is dried and processed into a special type of leather known as shagreen. The skin of other aquatic organisms such as crocodiles and turtles equally make good leather for handbags, belts, shoes, and wallets.

     10. Ornaments: Some parts of fish such as shells in oysters, as well as scales and teeth especially of sharks have been found useful in the manufacture of jewels, necklaces, and other decorative materials.

    11. Buildings: shell fishes especially oysters and periwinkles have been exceptionally useful in building. Their shells can be mixed with sand and cement to make the walls of buildings stronger and more attractive.

 12. Manure: Fish by-products or the discarded parts of fish and those fishes that have gone bad can be heaped to decompose and used as manure.