Biosecurity in fish farming
Biosecurity means preventing diseases instead of treating them. It includes different steps to keep diseases out of the farm and to stop them from spreading if they do appear. Below are some important steps to follow during the fish farming cycle if you want to protect your farm.
General guidelines
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Limit the number of visitors. Visitors can bring in diseases. If they must come, make sure they follow your biosecurity rules.
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Use different shoes for inside and outside the farm to avoid bringing in germs.
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Clean and disinfect your boots and hands before entering and after leaving the farm. Also do this when moving between ponds or tanks.
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Use separate tools (like nets and buckets) for each pond or tank to avoid spreading diseases.
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Clean and disinfect all equipment every day with products that are safe for the environment.
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Use nets or fences to keep birds and wild animals away. They can carry diseases.
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Cover water inlets and outlets with screens to stop wild fish or dirty water from getting in.
Before stocking fish
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Treat the water before adding fish. Always keep some clean, treated water ready for emergencies.
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Only buy fish from trusted suppliers who check for diseases.
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Don’t accept fish without a health certificate or proper checks.
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Keep new fish in quarantine before moving them to the main pond.
During the production cycle
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Check regularly for signs of disease.
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Compare water quality in different ponds or tanks. Changes in things like pH, oxygen, salinity, or temperature can be early signs of problems.
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Watch your fish carefully. Changes in behavior, feeding, or appearance can signal disease.
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Check a few fish for signs of illness like gill problems, bad skin or mucus, or parasites.
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Do not return sampled fish to the pond. They may be stressed and get sick more easily.
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Keep good records of how many fish you move, deaths, and any treatments you give. This helps you spot problems early.
