Assessment of the Water Quality of Four Fish Farms in AI-Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia PDF

Keywords

Fish farm, water quality, groundwater

Abstract

Ground water quality of four fish farms (A, B, C and D) at different locations in Al-Qassim region was studied seasonally. The use of groundwater in these fish farms was found to be suitable for fish culture except at farm D where the water temperature was very high (50.8 °-57. J °C). The water is being stored initially in a fully aerated pond overnight and was observed to be suitable for tilapia culture. There was no significant seasonal difference in pH, hardness and salinity whereas NO3- N, NO2-N, NH3-N and PO4 showed higher values in winter. Water quality parameters such as pH, alkalinity, NO3-N, NO2-N, NH3-N and PO4 were recorded to be always higher in fish farm A than the other three farms. The growth rate of the fish in fish farm D decreased apparently because 50-60% of the fish were deformed.