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To prevent losses from disease, the first and most important defence is to regularly monitor the farm, implement biosecurity principles, and take action at the first sign of suspicious behaviour, visible lesions, or increased mortality.
- Restrict access to the farm by outsiders.
- Develop and follow a pathogen control program to prevent their spread.
- Keep accurate records of species, population characteristics, sources and purchases of fish stocks, and their quantities. Select healthy fish from certified farms for stocking.
- Monitor the health of the livestock daily. If necessary, carry out therapeutic, preventive or quarantine measures. During the treatment of fish, its sale and consumption are prohibited.
- Store compound feed properly, preventing it from becoming contaminated, spoiled, or decomposed – follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Do not feed your fish animal waste or sick or dead fish.
- Properly dispose of waste, food waste, and dead fish, preventing insects, rodents, and other animals from accessing the contents.
- Clean and disinfect equipment regularly. Use cleaning agents that are compatible with the disinfectants and the surface being treated.
- At the first signs of infection with pathogens or persistent changes in behaviour, consult a veterinarian.
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Stocking is carried out using young-of-the-year fish with a stocking density of 200 fish per m². For raising cyprinids, it is advisable to purchase fry from reputable farms. In advance, inquire about the availability of permits, disease history and past outbreaks. The individual weight of monthly fry should be 2–4 g. However, experienced fish farmers recommend purchasing one-year-old fish that has overwintered.
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In the southern regions, a two-year period of carp cultivation is more often practiced, and in the northern regions, a three-year period. Pools, artificial, natural ponds, and enclosed water areas are used for stocking.
Pools must be 100 cm deep and have a volume of at least 15 m3. Carp adapts well to different conditions, so for constructing artificial ponds farmers can use plastic, concrete, ceramics, or wood, but they must be equipped with a drainage system, compressor, filters, aerators and sterilizers. The advantage of this method of cultivation is the ability to regulate temperature, water circulation and oxygen concentration. Stocking should be carried out after the natural microflora has developed.
Raising carp in ponds is a more laborious process, as it involves thorough cleaning, ensuring natural plant-based nutrition, but does not require significant capital investments. It is possible to create artificial ponds, but the preparation takes about a year. The pond is deepened to 1.5 m, the bottom is compacted with concrete and sand, covered with a rubber lining, then filled with water and zooplankton is introduced to create a biological balance.
Within the water area, you can set up net cages for the production of marketable fish. To do this, rectangular cages are made from nylon mesh with a mesh size of 6.5–10 mm, which are attached to a floating frame with floats (metal barrels of 100–200 liters).
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Stocking density should be based on the culture methods, fish species, size and age, fish farm capacity, expected survival and desired size at harvest. The use of species in polyculture or integrated multitrophic aquaculture should be carefully considered to reduce the potential risk of disease transmission. Polyculture means growing two or more species in the same physical space at the same time. For example, shrimp and fish in the same pond/aquarium or intensively growing fish with species, that provides them with nutrients (e.g. seaweed, molluscs, etc.).
It should be noted that higher stocking density of stocking material requires additional aeration of the water, as a decrease in its quality will contribute to the spread of microorganisms and fish mortality.
In an extensive system, in the first year, fry are raised at a density of 60,000 fish/ha, in the second year – 10,000 fish/ha, in the third year - 2.500–3000 fish/ha.
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Carp feed and digest most efficiently at temperatures of 20–27 °C.
When fed with high-protein feeds, the optimal water temperature is 29–32 °C, and when using low-protein feeds, it is 26–27 °C.
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An aeration system is necessary in artificial ponds. Particular attention is paid to wintering conditions: the reservoir must have a non-freezing layer and sufficient aeration.
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To attract small invertebrates and insects, nighttime artificial lighting is provided. This increases the natural food base.
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Regularly check water quality and record parameters such as dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrite and pH, as acceptable levels may vary depending on the species being raised, and fluctuations can cause environmental stress that affects the health of the fish.
Optimal values of water quality parameters:
- total dissolved solids (TDS) not more than 25 mg/l,
- oxygen - not less than 5 mg/l,
- carbon dioxide - up to 25 mg/l,
- nitrites - up to 0.05 mg/l,
- nitrates - up to 2 mg/l,
- phosphates - 0.5 mg/l,
- iron – 2 mg/l,
- total hardness – 2-6 mg/eq./l,
- pH – 6.5-8.5
- complete absence of hydrogen sulphide.
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Carp feeding practices involve the use of a preventive treatments and vaccinations program, recommended by the supplier of fry, taking into account the disease situation in the region. If any problems arise with the health of the fish, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian.
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