PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF EARTHEN FISHPONDS IN THE TEACHING AND RESEARCH FISH FARM YOBE STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE GUJBA NIGERIA

Physicochemical parameters are the most important parameters that are needed to be considered before siting a fish farm due to their significant role in fish production. This study examined some important physicochemical parameters of the earthen fish ponds in the Teaching and Research Fish Farm of Department of Fisheries Technology, Yobe State College of Agriculture Gujba, Nigeria and compared with the critical level. The parameters examined were Biological oxygen demand, Electric conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrate, pH, Phosphorus, Temperature and Turbidity. The water samples were collected from the ponds and analyzed using standard methods and procedures. The result obtained from this study shows variations in the parameters measured in the ponds. These variations were associated with a regular increase in the water level in the ponds. The parameters measured were all within the range of international standards of unpolluted water bodies as stated by the world health organization (WHO). The observation in this study suggested that pond fish production could be practiced without adversely affecting the fish.