Oxygen is one of the most important elements in any aquaculture system. Whether you’re raising fish, shrimp, or both, keeping the right dissolved oxygen (DO) levels ensures healthy growth, strong immunity, better feeding behavior, and higher survival rates. Poor oxygen = stress, disease, slow growth, and even mass mortality.
Maintaining the ideal DO level doesn’t have to be complicated—here’s how you can keep your water perfectly oxygenated.
Why Oxygen Matters in Aquaculture
Fish and shrimp rely on dissolved oxygen to breathe. When DO drops too low, they become stressed, stop feeding, and may struggle to survive. High-density ponds and warm weather can quickly deplete oxygen, so active management is essential.
Ideal DO levels:
- Fish: 5–8 mg/L
- Shrimp: 6–10 mg/L
Keeping DO in this range keeps your stock healthy and productive.
1. Improve Water Movement and Circulation
Still water loses oxygen fast. Proper circulation distributes oxygen evenly across the pond or tank, preventing dead zones where fish or shrimp may suffocate.
How to achieve this:
- Use aeration systems like paddlewheels, blowers, or diffusers
- Install destratification systems to break up stagnant layers
- Regularly check for areas with low movement
With better circulation, oxygen spreads more uniformly—and waste breaks down faster.
2. Use Efficient Aeration or Nanobubble Technology
Traditional aerators work, but nanobubble systems can take oxygenation to the next level. Nanobubbles deliver extremely high oxygen transfer, stay suspended for long periods, and improve water quality overall.
Benefits of nanobubbles in aquaculture:
- Higher DO retention
- Reduced ammonia and harmful gases
- Improved growth and survival
- Lower stress during feeding and harvesting
IGS Water’s nanobubble generators deliver stable, long-lasting oxygenation with minimal energy use—ideal for ponds and recirculating systems.
3. Avoid Overfeeding and Excess Waste
Uneaten feed and organic waste consume large amounts of oxygen as they decompose. This reduces DO levels quickly, especially at night.
Tips:
- Feed only what your stock can consume within minutes
- Remove leftover feed
- Schedule feeding during daytime when DO levels are naturally higher
Cleaner water = better oxygen availability.
4. Monitor Phytoplankton Levels
Phytoplankton produce oxygen during the day but consume oxygen at night. When blooms crash, DO can drop sharply.
Maintain balance by:
- Checking water color
- Avoiding fertilizer overuse
- Using aeration at night to stabilize levels
Balanced phytoplankton = stable DO.
5. Track DO Levels Regularly
A DO meter should be your best friend. Test:
- Early morning (lowest DO levels)
- Late afternoon
- After heavy rain
- During heatwaves
Consistent monitoring lets you take action before DO becomes dangerous.
6. Reduce Organic Load and Improve Water Quality
The cleaner the water, the more oxygen your fish and shrimp get.
Ways to improve water quality:
- Install filters or sedimentation systems
- Remove sludge from pond bottoms
- Use biological enhancers
- Improve water exchange if necessary
Better water = better oxygen.
7. Keep Stocking Density Under Control
Overcrowded ponds use oxygen faster than it can be replenished. If you see fish gasping at the surface or shrimp gathering near aerators, stocking may be too high.
Maintain densities appropriate to your species and system.
Conclusion: Healthy Water, Healthy Stock
Maintaining ideal oxygen levels is a mix of good water movement, efficient aeration, waste control, and regular monitoring. With the right tools—like IGS Water’s nanobubble and aeration systems—you can keep your fish and shrimp thriving with stable, high-quality oxygenation.
