LESSON 17-Preparing a Backyard Fishpond

1. Make a layout.
2. Excavation & construction of the dikes.
3. In constructing a dug-out excavation type backyard fishpond,mud blocks should be piled & arranged carefully without spaces.
4. Predators such as snails,frogs & other carnivorous insects & other animals must be eradicated because they compete the fish for food.
5. Stock the pond by releasing the fry or fingerlings in the water.
6. Apply fishpond fertilizer.
7. Clean the pond.
8.Water management-by filling the pond with 15-20 cm.deep water.
9. Fertilization-initial fertilization of 500 kg./hectare of chicken manure.

Ways of Applying Fertilizers:
a) Spreading fertilizers evenly over the bottom of the pond.( bangus culture)
b) Broadcasting fertilizers( dry or mixed).
c) Platform way of fishpond fertilization is said to be the most effective method of applying inorganic fertilizers.-below the pond surface.

10. Weed control-could be done manually with the use of scythe,bamboo poles & sickles.
11. Destroying the enemies of fish-such as amphibians,reptiles,& mammals.

Ways of Controlling Enemies of Fish:
a) For harmful insects-clean up swamps & grassy areas near the pond.
b) Harmful plants must be removed.
c) Treat the pond with quicklime(as disinfectant & potassium permanganate).
d) Install screens in water inlets to prevent wild fishes to enter the pond.