Considered alone, water temperature can affect the metabolic rates and biological activity of aquatic

organisms (Wetzel, 2001). Temperature of water is obviously very important. All metabolic and
physiological activities and life processes such as feeding, reproduction, movement and distribution of
aquatic organisms are greatly influenced by water temperature. The littoral zone of aquaculture pond
has high temperature, whereas the benthic zone of aquatic pond has lower temperature, and this
unequal temperature distribution the pond resultsin thermal stratification in deeper ponds. (Perumal,
2015)

Water temperature influences the onset of fish spawn, aquatic vegetation growth and the biological
demand for oxygen in ponds. As water temperature increases, it holds less oxygen. (Stevens, 2009)

2.3.1.2 Turbidity

Turbidity is the amount of suspended solids in water. These suspended particles absorb heat from solar
radiation more efficiently than water. (EPA 2012)

Turbidity is a measure of the degree to which the water loses its transparency due to the presence of
suspended particulates. The more total suspended solids in the water, the murkier it seems and the
higher the turbidity. Turbidity is considered as a good measure of the quality of water. If there is high
turbidity within the pond the suspended particles absorb heat from the sunlight, making turbid waters
become warmer, and so reducing the concentration of oxygen in the water (oxygen dissolves better in
colder water). Some organisms also can't survive in warmer water. The suspended particles scatter the
light, thus decreasing the photosynthetic activity of plants and algae, which contributes to lowering the
oxygen concentration even more. As a consequence of the particles settling to the bottom, shallow lakes
fill in faster, fish eggs and insect larvae are covered and suffocated, gill structures get clogged or
damaged. (Lenntech BV)

2.3.1.3 Salinity

Salinity is the measure of all the salts dissolved in water. Salinity is usually measured in parts per
thousand (pptor). The average ocean salinity is 35ppt and the average river water salinity is 0.5ppt or
less. This means that in every kilogram (1000 grams) of seawater, 35 grams are salt. Because the water
in estuaries is a mix of fresh water and ocean water, the salinity in most estuaries is less than the open
ocean. Bottom water almost always contains more salt than surface waters.

Salinity refers to the total concentration of all ions in water (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium,
bicarbonate, chloride and sulphate). Each species has an optimal salinity range. This optimum range of
salinity allows the aquatic animals to efficiently regulate their internal body fluid composition of ions
and water by the process of osmoregulation. Therefore, salinity plays an important role in the growth,
reproduction and migratory behavior of the fish as well as its