AquaSetu™ | Aquaculture Knowledge Hub

Water quality is central to shrimp farming because shrimp depend on their surrounding water for respiration and other essential physiological functions. Poor water conditions can affect feeding, growth, health and survival. The challenge is that pond water changes throughout the day and across the crop cycle. A single reading cannot describe the full condition of a pond. Which parameters should farmers monitor? Dissolved oxygen: Oxygen availability can change with time of day, weather, pond productivity and the respiration of shrimp and other organisms. Temperature: Temperature influences shrimp metabolism, feeding activity and oxygen demand. pH: pH affects the chemical environment of the pond and can influence the proportion of unionised ammonia in water. Salinity: Changes in salinity may affect shrimp osmoregulation, particularly when changes occur rapidly. Nitrogen compounds: Ammonia and nitrite should be assessed as part of a broader water-quality management programme. Risk depends...

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is the oxygen available in water for aquatic organisms. In shrimp farming, oxygen management is a daily operational priority because both shrimp and other organisms in the pond consume oxygen. During daylight, photosynthetic organisms can produce oxygen when light is available. At night, photosynthesis stops while respiration continues. As a result, dissolved oxygen can decline overnight and may reach a low point near dawn, although actual patterns depend on pond conditions. Why early-morning checks matter An afternoon reading may look satisfactory while the pond experiences a much lower oxygen level before sunrise. Measuring at useful times—including early morning—helps farmers understand daily variation rather than relying on a single measurement. Monitor more carefully when there is cloudy weather, heavy plankton growth, elevated organic matter, unusually high feeding, increased shrimp biomass or equipment failure. How aeration helps Aerators transfer oxygen in...