Aquaculture, Disease Occurrence and Preventive Strategies in Mymensingh District

The study was conducted to assess the current fish culture strategy and management techniques in two upazilas (Trishal and Muktagacha) in Mymensingh district. The results revealed that the average pond area in Trishal ranged from 100 to 1500 decimal. However, the average pond area in Muktagacha was higher by 200-4000 decimal. The farmers in the study area used monoculture (50%). One-third (33.33%) preferred polyculture, with a few (16.67%) following both culture systems. The studied farms used preventive measures such as frequent health checks (66.67%), pond drying (66.67%), and pond lime application (100%). Approximately 66.67% of farmers used probiotics in their fields for beneficial purposes such as water quality control, growth augmentation, and disease resistance. In each selected upazila of Mymensingh district, 87.5% of farmers acclimatized fry before stocking them into ponds. The data revealed that fish production varied according to culture type, location, and culture duration. Trishal had the highest average yield (158.5 kg/ decimal). The average production in Muktagacha was (143.5kg/decimal). The results showed that Trishal had the largest year-round Pangas production (245kg/decimal) and Muktagachha had the lowest (150kg/decimal). Results regarding the disease and health assessment of cultured ponds evolved that four (04) types of diseases were discovered in the study area: bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoan diseases. Most farmers performed preventive measures such as regular fish health inspections, pond drying, lime application, pond weeding, water turbidity removal, water addition, and so on. Almost all farmers (100%) in the specified area use lime in their ponds, while 41.67% undertake aquatic weed control.