Establishment of Fish Pond – JSS2 Agricultural Science Lesson Note (Third Term)

A fish pond is a man-made structure that holds water and is used for raising fish.

Behavioural objectives

1. List the six factors necessary for siting a fish pond.
2. Explain why water supply, soil, vegetation and topography matter in siting a fish pond.
3. Describe the type of fingerlings and feed needed for a fish pond.
4. Outline the main steps in establishing a fish pond.
5. State at least eight uses of fish and other aquatic organisms.

What is fish farming?

Fish farming is the rearing of fish in ponds or other enclosed water for food and income.

• Fish pond: an enclosed body of water built or prepared for keeping fish.
• Fingerlings: baby fish used to stock a pond.
• Stocking: putting fingerlings into the pond.
• Stocking density: the number of fish kept in a given size of pond.
• Plankton: tiny plants and animals in the water that serve as natural fish food.
• Supplementary feed: extra feed given to fish in addition to natural food.

Choosing the right site keeps the cost of construction low and helps the fish grow well.

What factors are necessary for siting a fish pond?

There are six factors necessary for siting a fish pond: water supply, soil, vegetation, topography, fast-growing fish and supplementary feedstuff.

1. Adequate water supply.
2. Soil in the area.
3. Vegetation of the area.
4. Topography of the area.
5. Availability of fast-growing fish.
6. Availability of supplementary feedstuff.

1. Adequate water supply

A fish pond needs a constant supply of water of good quality and quantity.

• Sources: streams, lakes, rivers, irrigation canals and springs.
• Oxygen and food: good water provides oxygen and food to the fish.
• Waste and reproduction: water is the medium for waste discharge and reproduction.
• Smell and taste: the water should have no bad smell or taste.
• Colour: the water should not be too muddy.
• Pollution: the water must be free from pollution.

2. Soil in the area

The best soil for a fish pond is fertile clay soil.

• Fertile: the soil supplies nutrients that support the growth of fish food.
• Clay: clay holds water well, which is very important in pond construction.
• Sandy or gravelly soil: not suitable because it will not retain water.

3. Vegetation of the area

Low vegetation, especially grassland, is the best for a fish pond site.

• Grassland: easy and cheap to clear.
• Woody sites: not suitable because clearing and stumping greatly increase the cost of setting up the pond.

4. Topography

Topography is the shape of the land, and it should allow easy filling and draining of the pond.

• Water source higher than the pond: water then flows into the pond directly.
• No natural slope: water pumps will be needed, which increases the cost of the project.
• Flat or level ground: ponds can be built here, but a lot of soil has to be removed to create the slope.

5. Availability of fast-growing fish

Fingerlings for stocking should be of a type that grows fast and matures in a short time.

• Improved varieties (breeds): make fish farming more profitable.
• Examples: catfish and tilapia are commonly raised in Nigerian ponds.

6. Availability of supplementary feedstuff

Supplementary feeding is giving extra feed to fish so that they grow rapidly and can be kept at a high stocking density.

• Natural feed: plankton in the pond water.
• Artificial feed: compounded feed in the form of pellets, used to supplement plankton.
• Fertilisers: added to the pond to promote rapid growth of plankton.

What are the steps in establishing a fish pond?

A fish pond is established by choosing a good site, building the pond, filling it with water and stocking it with fingerlings.

1. Choose a site that meets the six factors above.
2. Clear the vegetation from the site.
3. Mark out the shape of the pond and dig out the soil.
4. Use the soil to build firm banks (dykes) around the pond.
5. Fit an inlet to bring water in and an outlet to drain water out.
6. Fill the pond with clean water.
7. Add fertiliser to encourage plankton growth.
8. Stock the pond with fast-growing fingerlings.
9. Feed the fish with supplementary feed.

What is the importance of fish?

Fish and other aquatic organisms are useful to people in twelve main ways.

• Food: fish is a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals that keep the body healthy and strong.
• Source of income: fish are sold for money by fish farmers and traders.
• Feed: fish and fish bones are used to make livestock feed, especially poultry feed.
• Medicinal purpose: cod liver supplies vitamins, especially for babies.
• Recreation: fishing is a sport and pastime, as in the Argungu festival in northern Nigeria.
• Entertainment: people enjoy watching fish in ponds, aquariums and documentaries.
• Scientific study (education): fish are used in experiments and research to increase knowledge.
• Raw materials: fish supply industries such as canneries and makers of paints and soaps.
• Leather: the skin of some aquatic animals is processed into leather.
• Ornaments: shells, scales and teeth are made into jewellery and decorations.
• Buildings: crushed shells of oysters and periwinkles are mixed with sand and cement to strengthen walls.
• Manure: discarded or spoilt fish parts are heaped to decompose and used as manure.

More detail on some uses

• Fish meal: dead fish and their parts are ground into fish meal, a source of animal protein.
• Shellfish in feed: oyster shells supply calcium in poultry feed.
• Malaria control: some species of tilapia and minnows prey on mosquitoes, so they help control malaria in the tropics.
• Canneries: examples are geisha, sardine and tuna fish industries.
• Fish oil: a basic raw material for paints, enamels, candles, soaps and varnishes.
• Shagreen: shark skin is dried and processed into this special leather.
• Other leather: the skin of crocodiles and turtles makes handbags, belts, shoes and wallets.
• Ornaments from fish: oyster shells and the scales and teeth of sharks are used for necklaces and other decorations.

Evaluation

1. List the six factors necessary for siting a fish pond.
2. Why is clay soil preferred for a fish pond?
3. Why are woody sites not suitable for a fish pond?
4. Explain how topography affects the cost of establishing a fish pond.
5. State five uses of fish and its products.

Assignment

Explain the importance of supplementary feeding in a fish pond, and name the natural and artificial feeds used.