The health and development of African catfish depend on the pond’s water quality being improved and maintained.

There are various ways to accomplish this:

Regular water testing: Using a water testing kit (such as the ones described above) to regularly check the water’s temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen levels can help you spot any departures from the appropriate range and take corrective action.

Management of water quality: Implementing appropriate water management techniques, such as routine pond cleaning and maintenance, can aid in preventing the buildup of dangerous compounds and contaminants.

Water treatment: By removing contaminants and preserving the balance of nutrients in the water, devices like water conditioners, filters, and bio-filters can help to improve water quality.

Stocking density: By ensuring a healthy stocking density, you may help the fish create less waste which will improve the water’s quality.

Overstocking your pond is a recipe for disaster. Remember that it is not the number of fish you stock that matters, it is how well they are fed, and nourished that ultimately results in profitability.

Use our Catfish Stock density calculator to determine the accurate number you have to stock per pond size.

These measures are extremely important in concrete ponds and tarpaulin ponds. In earthen ponds, however, the frequency of water pollution is less.

There is no exact rule of thumb on how often to change your water to improve quality, you change your pond water, depending primarily on the levels of contaminants your testing tools show you.

Your pH is below 6.5? consider changing the water as soon as possible to prevent the pH from dropping below 5.

Your Temperature is above 32 degrees Celcius? change the water!

Your ammonia levels are spiking above 0.5 ppm? change the water!

Your dissolved oxygen levels have dropped below recommend 5-8mg/L. Get that aerator working right away.

Remember, you are dealing with live catfish, they would continue to make a mess of your water, your job is to continue to make the water conditions livable or better to get some good quality fish.

Dealing with these parameters, are ten times as hard in a concrete pond or tarpaulin pond compared to an earthen pond, and it is twice easier with a flow through system.

Where possible? get a flow through system and save yourself the stress, failing that, at least an earthen pond, if not, then brace yourself for frequent water changes to provide ideal living conditions for your fish.

You can use nature to your advantage, duckweeds, azolla and many other water plants, consume ammonia, used adequately, it can help clean out your pond.