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Fish farming
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Fish farms provide large amounts of protein. Careful management keeps fish healthy and growing fast.
Keeping the water right
Water quality: the water must be kept clean and well oxygenated, for example by filtering it and pumping in air.
Removing waste products: waste food and faeces are removed so they do not pollute the water.
Removing waste products: waste food and faeces are removed so they do not pollute the water.
Predation and disease
Intraspecific predation (fish eating their own species): fish are kept in groups of similar size and age.
Interspecific predation (eaten by other species): nets keep out predators such as birds, and different species are kept apart.
Disease: fish are kept at a sensible density, and treated with antibiotics or chemicals to kill parasites. Disease spreads quickly in crowded tanks.
Interspecific predation (eaten by other species): nets keep out predators such as birds, and different species are kept apart.
Disease: fish are kept at a sensible density, and treated with antibiotics or chemicals to kill parasites. Disease spreads quickly in crowded tanks.
Feeding and breeding
Feeding: high-quality, protein-rich food is given little and often, so it is all eaten and none is wasted (waste food pollutes the water).
Selective breeding: fish that grow fast and resist disease are chosen as parents.
Selective breeding: fish that grow fast and resist disease are chosen as parents.
Why are fish of different sizes kept in separate tanks?
- Larger fish may eat smaller fish of the same species.
- This is intraspecific predation.
Answer: To prevent intraspecific predation.
Fish farms maintain water quality, separate fish by size to prevent intraspecific predation, use nets and separate species to prevent interspecific predation, control disease, remove waste, control the quality and frequency of feeding, and use selective breeding.
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