The feeding rate should then be around 1 percent of body weight per day. Food conversion ratios of 2 to 1 or less are expected. Daily monitoring is important because of the increased biomass of fish in the ponds. Low dissolved oxygen levels can become a major problem at this stage. Aeration techniques are standard procedure.
Paddlewheels are the most efficient aeration method in production ponds.
Location of the paddlewheel is important to adequate aeration in the pond. Disease problems are more prevalent when fish are stressed by low dissolved oxygen levels. Fish should be observed regularly for fungus, disease or any other problems and treated quickly when problems arise. Fish are harvested in the same manner as the previous year. The pond is seined, and the fish are herded through an opening in the seine into a holding net.