Subhendu Datta

Senior Scientist
Salt Lake City, Kolkata
Water quality of any water body plays a very significant
role in fish production. Analysis of water is extremely
important for understanding the water fertility. Productivity
of a water body is directly dependent on the physical and
chemical parameters of water.

Colour

Water colour of a pond indicates the density of planktons.

Phytoplankton or algae are green in colour. Brownish
colouration without any foul smell is an indication of good
growth of zooplankton. Phyto and zooplanktons serve as
natural food for fishes. Clear and transparent water
indicates very poor growth plankton and the water may be
acidic. Brownish green to greenish brown colour of water
is good for aquaculture (Pl. see the water colour in Fig. 2).

Temperature:

Fish production is influenced by

temperature. Metabolic activity is
doubled with every 100C rise in
temperature. Optimum temperature for
IMC culture: 15 -380C, for breeding 20
- 300C.
Collect water in a bucket few
meters away from the dyke and 1.5-2
ft below the water surface. Record the
temperature with a centigrade Fig. 1
thermometer (Fig. 1).

Transparency:

It is the measure of light penetration in water and this is

inversely proportional to the quantity of dispersed
suspended particles in water i.e. turbidity. Ideal range of
transparency: 20 - 40 cm. When transparency is more than
60 cm and turbidity is less than 30 ppm, poor growth
plankton may occur and productivity will also be low. The
observation should not be made early in the morning or

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late in the afternoon and record the observation through a
shaded area of water surface.

It can be measured well with Secchi disc, which is a

metallic plate of 20 cm diameter with four alternate black
and white quadrants on the upper surface and a hook at
the center to tie a graduated rope.
Let down the disc from the water surface (Fig 2) and
determine the point of disappearance as the disk is
lowered (d1) (Fig. 3).
Allow it to drop a little further, and then determine the
point of reappearance as the disk is raised (d2).
The mean of these two readings [(d1+d2)/2] is taken as
the Secchi disk transparency.
Alternatively Fix a bright new pin at '0' (Zero) point on a
meter scale (Fig. 4)
Slowly dip it in water till the pin just disappears from the
sight and record the reading of scale at water surface
(Fig. 5).

Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5

pH:
It is an indication of acid or alkaline character and a vital
index of productivity of water body. Below 7 is acidic while
above 7 is basic. Optimum range for pH: 7.0-8.5.
A rough estimation can be made in a simple manner:
Dip pH paper in water sample (Fig. 6).
Compare colour so developed with standard colour
chart provided with the pH paper (Fig. 6).

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 Fig. 6 Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Fig. 9

For accurate estimation, follow this method: Use Lovibond

comparator (Fig. 7), which opens like a book (Fig. 8),
having two sample tubes and one standard disc (Fig. 9).
The disc can be changed.
Take 10 ml of sample water in left side tube of the
comparator
Add 0.2 ml Universal indicator (Fig. 9) in the right side
tube and fill the water up to 10 ml mark.
Shake gently and compare the colour by using
universal disc
After ascertaining the approximate pH value, use
suitable indicators to determine the exact pH.
Bromothymol blue for pH range of 6.0–7.6, phenol red
for 6.8–8.4 and thymol blue for 8.0–9.6 should be used
as indicators.
After adding 0.5 ml of the required indictor, fill the water
sample up p 10 ml mark
Stir the sample, match the colour against appropriate
standard colour disc and read the values (Fig. 10).
pH values can be measured directly with the help of a pH
pen (Fig. 11) or pH meter (Fig. 12) by dipping the electrode
into the pond water.

Fig. 10 Fig. 11 Fig. 12

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Dissolved Oxygen (O2):

Oxygen in a water body is derived from atmosphere and

through photosynthesis of aquatic plants. Dissolved
oxygen is a crucial factor for the survival and growth of
fishes. Ideal range for dissolved oxygen is: 6 -10 mg/L.
Below 3 mg/L is critical for IMC.

Reagents (Fig. 13):

Winkler’s A solution: Dissolve 36g manganese sulfate
monohydrate (MnSO4.H2O) [or 40g MnSO4.2H2O or 48g
MnSO4.4H2O or 50g MnSO4.5H2O] in 100 ml of distilled
water.
Winkler’s B solution: Dissolve 50g Sodium hydroxide
and 15g potassium iodide in distilled water and make
the total volume 100 ml.
N/80 Sodium thiosulphate solution: Dissolve 1.55g of
sodium thiosulphate (Na2S2O3.5H2O) in distilled water
and make the volume 500 ml. Add 5 drops of chloroform
as preservative. Prepare this reagent fresh before the
estimation.
1% Starch solution: Dissolve 1 gm of starch powder in
100 ml warm (80-900C) distilled water. Cool it and stir it
with 3g of boric acid.
Concentrated Sulphuric Acid (36N)

Fig. 13 Fig. 14 Fig. 15

Procedure:
Water collection method: Collect water in 250 ml water
sample bottles without air bubbles before sunrise from
1.5 - 2 ft below the water surface of pond. For this go
inside the pond, dip the closed bottle with both the

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 hands, remove the stopper with left hand, and wait till
the bubbling on the water surface subsides (Fig. 14). Put
the stopper with left hand below the water surface (Fig.
15) when the bottle is filled with water. Then bring the
bottle to the dyke (Fig. 16).
Immediately after the collection, add 2 ml each of
Winkler’s A and Winkler’s B solution one after another
with the help of two separate pipettes well below surface
of water sample in the bottle (Fig. 17).
Shake thoroughly (Fig. 18) and allow the precipitate to
settle down for 15 minutes (Fig. 19).

Fig. 16 Fig. 17 Fig. 18 Fig. 19

Indication of dissolved oxygen from the colour of

precipitate:

Colour Dissolved oxygen quality

Whitish Poor (< 2 ppm)
Light brown Medium (2- 6 ppm)
Brown - dark brown High (> 6 ppm)

Fig. 20 Fig. 21 Fig. 22

After 15 minutes (Fig. 20), add 2 ml concentrated
sulphuric acid (Fig. 21) and shake upside down to
dissolve the precipitate (Fig. 22).

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 Take 100 ml of this solution (Fig. 23) and titrate with
N/80 sodium thiosulphate (Fig. 24).
When deep yellow colour of the solution changes to pale
yellow (Fig. 25), add few drops of starch solution (Fig.
26).
Titrate until colour of solution changed from blue (Fig.
27) to Colourless (Fig. 28).

Fig. 23 Fig. 24 Fig. 25 Fig. 26

Dissolved oxygen (mg/L) = ml of N/80 sodium thiosulphate
used for titration.
Dissolved oxygen can also be measured directly with the
help of dissolved oxygen meter (Fig. 29) by dipping the
dissolved oxygen probe into the water.

Fig. 27 Fig. 28 Fig. 29

Free Carbon dioxide (CO2):

Carbon dioxide in water regulates photosynthesis process,

so this is essential. Free CO2 should be <10 mg/L, > 30
mg/L is not good for IMC.

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Reagents (Fig. 30):
Phenolphthalein indicator solution
N/88 Sodium hydroxide solution: Dissolve 2.3 g of
sodium hydroxide in distilled water and make the total
volume 500 ml with shaking. Take 100 ml from this
solution and make the volume 1 L with distilled water to
get N/88 NaOH solution.

Fig. 30 Fig. 31 Fig. 32 Fig. 33

Procedure:
Take 100 ml of water sample in 250 ml flask
Add 10 drops of phenolphthalein indicator solution (Fig.
31).
If pink colour appears, then CO2 is absent
If not, then titrate against N /88 NaOH (Fig. 32) until
permanent pink colour appears (Fig. 33).
Record the volume of NaOH used.
Dissolved CO2 (mg/L): ml of N/88 NaOH used X 10

Total Alkalinity:

Alkalinity is due to Carbonates, bicarbonates and

hydroxide of calcium and magnesium. Carbonates and
bicarbonates in water act as buffer in keeping the pH of
water almost constant. Ideal range: 100 – 250 mg/L
CaCO3.
Reagents (Fig. 34):
Phenolphthalein indicator solution
Methyl orange Indicator solution

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 N/50 H2SO4 solution: Slowly add 3 ml concentrated
sulfuric acid in distilled water, stir the solution and
make the volume 100 ml. Then take 20 ml from this
solution and make the volume 1L with distilled water to
get N/50 H2SO4 solution

Fig. 34 Fig. 35 Fig. 36

Procedure:
Take 50ml water sample in 250 ml conical flask
Add 5-6 drops of phenolphthalein indicator (Fig. 35).
If pink colour appears then titrate against N/50 H2SO4
until it becomes colourless.
Record N/50 H2SO4 used (P)
Add 5-6 drops of methyl orange indicator in the same
solution (Fig. 35). Sample becomes yellow in colour
(Fig. 37).
Titrate against N/50 H2SO4 until permanent orange
colour appears (Fig. 38).
Record the end point (T) from burette.

Total alkalinity : Total ml of N/50 H2SO4 used (T) x 20

(mg/L CaCO3)

Fig. 37 Fig. 38
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Four other measurements of alkalinity can also be
obtained from the above readings e.g.
Phenolphthalein alkalinity (mg/L CaCO3): P X 20
Carbonate alkalinity (mg/L CaCO3): 2P X 20
Methyl orange alkalinity (mg/L CaCO3): (T-P) X 20
Bicarbonate alkalinity (mg/L CaCO3): (T-2P) X 20

Total Hardness:

Hardness is the total soluble Ca and Mg Salts (in same

cases Fe salts). It includes sulphates and chlorides along
with carbonate, bicarbonate and hydroxide salts. Soft
water: 0-100 mg/L, Hard water: 100 - 300 mg/L, Very hard
water: > 300 mg/L CaCO3. Total hardness should be 50-
300 mg/L. Very hard water causes osmoregulatory stress
to fish. Hardness below 50 mg/L reduces growth of
plankton.

Reagents (Fig. 39):

0.01M EDTA solution: Dissolve 3.72 g disodium salt of
EDTA in distilled water and make the volume 1L by
shaking.
Eriochrome Black T (EBT) Indicator: Add 0.2 g dry
Eriochrome powder to 50 ml of triethyl amine. Add 5 ml
absolute alcohol and shake it.
Ammonium chloride-Ammonium hydroxide buffer
solution: Dissolve 17.5 g ammonium chloride (NH4Cl)
in 142 ml of ammonia solution (NH4OH). Add distilled
water to make the volume 250 ml.

Procedure:
Take 50ml water sample in a 250 ml conical flask
Add 2 ml buffer solution (Fig. 40) and 5 drops of EBT
indicator (Fig. 41).
Wine-red colour will appear (Fig. 42). Titrate against
0.01M EDTA (Fig. 43) till the colour changes into bright
greenish blue (Fig. 44).

Total hardness (mg/L CaCO3): ml of 0.01M EDTA used in the

titration X 20

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 Fig. 39 Fig. 40 Fig. 41

Fig. 42 Fig. 43 Fig. 44

Salinity:

Salinity is the relative concentration of dissolved salts,

usually sodium chloride, in given water. It is reported as
ppt or g/L and can be calculated from the value of
chlorinity. Classification of water on the basis of salinity:
Freshwater: 0-0.5 ppt, Brackish water: 0.5- 30 ppt, Marine
water: > 30 ppt.

Reagents (Fig. 45):

0.1 N Silver nitrate (AgNO3): Dissolve 4.25 g silver
nitrate in distilled water and make the total volume 250
ml by shaking.
5% Potassium chromate (K2CrO4) indicator: Dissolve
2.5 g potassium chromate in distilled water and make
the total volume 50 ml by shaking.

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 Fig. 45 Fig. 46 Fig. 47

Procedure:
Salinity in estuarine and coastal water can be estimated by
this method.
Take 10 ml of water sample in a 100 ml conical flask.
Add 3-4 drops of potassium nitrate indicator solution to
it. (Fig. 46).
Titrate against 0.1N Silver nitrate till the yellow colour
changes to brick red (Fig. 47 to 50).

Fig. 48 Fig. 49 Fig. 50 Fig. 51

Salinity (in ppt or g/L) = 0.03 + 1.805 x chlorinity

Chorinity (ppt or g/L) = Volume of 0.1 N silver nitrate
consumed x 0.355

Salinity can also be measured directly with salinometer

(Fig. 51).

Many water parameters can also be measured with water

analysis kit. Kit consists of reagents, apparatus and a
printed manual where procedure of analysis is described.

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Single parameter (Fig. 51: Kit for alkalinity test; Fig. 52: Kit
for hardness test) and multi parameters (Fig. 53) kits are
available.

Apart from chemical and physical factors, biological

conditions like presence of predators, parasites and weeds
can alter production.

Fig. 51 Fig. 52 Fig. 53

Management measures to maintain the water quality

Clour and Transparency:

Too much growth of phytoplankton is not good as it
indicates algal bloom which in turn is an indication of
over-fertilization.
Algal bloom can be restricted by application of
Takazine-50 (Cymazine) @ 2-4 kg/acre.
If the pond water is covered by floating weeds, Wolfia
sp, Lemna minor, Lemna major or Spirodella for one
week, algal growth is checked due to lack of sunlight.
Turbidity due to suspended clay or silt (Fig. 54)
particles may be settled by application of alum @ 10-
30 mg/L or hydrated
lime.
Deep brown colouration
with foul smell is an
indication of excessive
accumulation of
undecomposed organic
matter in the sediment.
This favours production Fig. 54
toxic gases like

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 hydrogen sulfide, methane, ammonia etc. which are
harmful to fishes.
During culture period at every one month interval apply
lime @ 20-40 Kg/bigha followed by repeated netting to
rack the bottom.
After harvesting of fish dewater the pond. Remove
undecomposed top layer of sediment if possible or dry
the bottom in sunlight till cracks appear on soil surface.
Plough it and apply lime @ 500 Kg/ha. Plough again
after lime application. After 3-4 days fill with water
(max. 2-3 ft). After 2-3 days increase water level up to
4-6 ft. Apply raw cow dung in emulsified form @ 2
tons/ha for growth of plankton. Pond will be ready for
stocking after 4 days.

pH, alkalinity, hardness:

pH of pond water undergoes diurnal fluctuation. It is

lowest (acidic) at dawn and highest (alkaline) at mid-
afternoon.
Due to intense photosynthesis at noon utilization of
carbon dioxide is highest. Photosynthesis stops after
the sunset. During night, due to respiration of plants
and animals, CO2 is produced, its concentration
increases with the progress of night and maximum at
dawn. Carbon dioxide reacts with water and produces
carbonic acid and makes the water acidic. Therefore,
the fluctuation of pH is wide when population of aquatic
weed and algae is beyond the normal level of the pond.
Acidic water can be treated with lime (CaCO3).

pH Dose of lime
7.0 - 8.5 100 Kg/ha limestone
6.0 - 7.0 250 Kg/ha limestone
5.0 - 6.0 500 Kg/ha limestone
4.0 - 5.0 750 Kg/ha limestone
< 4.0 750 Kg/ha slaked lime Fig. 55. Application of Lime

Alkaline water can be treated with raw cow dung (20

tons/ha), farm yard manure or acidic fertilizers (e.g.

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 Urea, Single super phosphate, Ammonium chloride,
Ammonium sulphate) three weeks before the stocking.
Dose of quick lime (CaO) and slaked lime Ca(OH)2
should be 1/2 and 3/4 to the dose of limestone
(CaCO3) respectively.
Water becomes harder during summer season due to
accumulation of salts and gets softer during rainy
season due to dilution with rain water. Rain water is a
cheap source of soft water.
Addition of lime, gypsum makes water harder. Boiling
of water, mixing with rain water, use of water softeners
and water filters makes the water soft.
Dissolved oxygen and free carbon dioxide:
When heavy infestation of aquatic weed and dense
algal bloom causes a marked diurnal fluctuations and
dangerous oxygen deficiency.
During day time, because of photosynthesis, water is
super-saturated with O2. During night, photosynthesis
stops but respiration of all plants and animals
continues. Due to this consumption of O2 continues
and utilization of CO2 stops. Therefore, concentration of
O2 decreases while concentration of CO2 increases,
which is severe during late night hours.
On cloudy days, the photosynthesis may be reduced
due to lack of sunlight prolonging the night deficit in the
O2 budget.
When there is a continuous cloudy days, most of the
O2 fluctuation are below the critical level for fish
survival (< 3 mg/L) and mass mortality of fish may
occur at dawn.
To Mitigate the oxygen deficiency following steps can
be taken:
Beating the water by long bamboo stick on all sides
of ponds
Repeated netting
Use of aerator (Fig. 56)
Introduce fresh oxygenated water from other areas
to pond.

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 Install one or two water pumps in the bank of the
pond and night long continuous recirculation of
pond water (Fig. 57).
Application of chemicals like lime (@ 60 – 70
Kg/ha), KMnO4 (@ 4 Kg/ha) has very limited
impacts at the time of emergency.

Fig. 56. Use of different kinds of aerator in aquaculture

Fig. 57

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