The Effect of Water Quality on Aquaculture Productivity in Ibanda District, Uganda

Zephline Tumwesigye,Fina Opio,Boaz Mujuni,Chloe Kemigabo,Wycliffe Tumwesigye

doi:10.3390/aquacj2010003

Abstract

Water quality plays a substantial role in maximizing fish productivity. Despite the efforts made by government to improve fish production, there are general complaints about the small size of fish produced in aquaculture systems. This study was conducted in order to assess the effect of water quality on aquaculture productivity in Ibanda District, Uganda. The specific objectives were to examine the status of water quality parameters (temperature, turbidity, pH, alkalinity, Ammonia content, hardness, Carbon dioxide content, and Iron content) and assess their effect on fish pond productivity. Using data from fish farmers and water samples taken from 25 restocked fish ponds in ten sub-counties, the study revealed that of the eight water quality parameters examined only four (average turbidity, alkalinity, hardness, and Carbon dioxide content) were within the acceptable ranges, while Ammonia content, temperature, pH, and Iron content were slightly outside the recommended ranges. In addition, the study revealed that water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, and Ammonia Carbon dioxide, and Iron content had a significant effect on the weight and size of both tilapia and catfish. The study concluded that certain water quality parameters have a detrimental effect on fish farming. There is a need to educate fish farmers on how to maintain water quality at suitable levels in order to improve fish farm productivity in Ibanda district.

Highlights

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutralAquaculture is “the farming of aquatic organisms including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants” [1]
The mean pond water turbidity observed in this study was slightly above the optimal range for fish farming of 30–40 cm recommended by the World Fish Center [7]
The mean alkalinity observed in this study was in agreement with the findings of Kirya [9], who reported that an alkalinity of 75–200 mg/L was suitable for production of tilapia and catfish in earthen ponds (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutralAquaculture is “the farming of aquatic organisms including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants” [1]. Water quality refers to the chemical, physical, biological and radiological characteristics of water [2]. Water is a critical factor in the life of all aquatic species. Maintaining water quality plays a substantial role in maximizing fishery productivity [3]. It is essential that different water quality parameters are monitored and kept within their optimum range in order to sustain the growth and survival of fish [4]. Any characteristic of water that affects the survival, reproduction, growth, or management of fish or other aquatic creatures in any way is considered a water quality variable [5]. In all aquaculture systems fish perform physiological activities such as breathing, excretion, feeding, maintaining salt balance, and reproduction within the water medium. The overall performance of any aquaculture system is partly determined by its water quality [6]

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion