qnp@SAGE.CC.PURDUE.EDU (vinod kutty) (01/19/90)
Growing algae in catfish ponds in the south is supposed to be an art!
The channel catfish ponds in most of the southern states are now aerated by mechanical paddle wheels. Before this technology became popular, the only
way of aerating fish ponds was by photosynthesis of algae. But, no matter
how hard some fish farmers tried, they just couldnt grow any algae or even
make the water pea green! The ones who are successful in growing algae in
their ponds, are lucky because they dont have to spend money on aerators.
I think we guys could teach these farmers a few things. I dont understand
how they do it though! They feed their catfish like crazy, have no plants
in the ponds and their ponds are heavily stocked. And they still cant get
algae to grow!! I dont get it, but it is true.
Also, if they do get some algae, it may be blue-green algae, and fish
that have been raised in waters with this algae are supposed to taste like
shit. Actually more like sand.
Another aquacultural note: malachite green is not approved by the FDA
to be used for treatments in fish ponds. It is supposed to be a carcinogen!
Once, a fish farm in Illinois was supposed to have used malachite green for
some treatment (secretly ofcourse), and a disgruntled employee reported it
to the cops and the fish farm was shut down in a matter of hours!!
Source: Dr.Paul Brown, Forestry Dept. Purdue University.
Vinny.