Podcast: How to stay one step ahead of fish diseases

Fish farming is a delicate art of farming. One wrong move or misstep and you are likely to lose all your fish. This is why detecting diseases in fish farming is crucial as it plays a vital role in maintaining the overall health and sustainability of aquaculture operations.

In this episode, Marvellous Makhado, a fish farmer from Limpopo, shares important tips on detecting fish diseases, how to keep your fish healthy and more.

There are few ways in which fish farmers can instantly know that their fish are not doing well, explains Makhado

“If they’re sick you will see they will change their swimming patterns. If they are sick they start to float and swim backwards. Often their chest will be facing upwards and sometimes it will be laying on the side,” Makhado shares.

Photo story: ‘Farming makes me get out of bed’

Nutrition, water temperatures and feeding

There are several diseases to be on the lookout for. Makhado talks about some of the main causes of health problems in fish.

Be careful, he warns, do not overcrowd your pond with fish.

He also shares why inadequate nutrition and temperature fluctuations are often the key reasons why fish farmers fail.

According to Makhado, sticking to feeding schedules is of utmost importance.

“If you feed them at 06:00 every day, it needs to stay 06:00 because fish get grumpy and can lose their temper. If they are used to being fed at 06:00 and then you change it to 09:00, they won’t be happy.”

The episode also features #SoilSista Rudzani Kaku, a trailblasing farmer from the Vhembe District, Limpopo. With a passion for macadamia and avocados, she empowers local communities and fosters sustainable growth.