BFS-017 Monthly Monitoring Checklist

June 2026 — Stocking

Stocking June 1–3 · 30g avg · 90,000 fingerlings total

1Biomass Status

Box A (control)

Biomass2.0 MT

Density588 kg/ha

% of ceiling6–7%

Aeration4 units

GREEN · Low Load

Box B (probiotics)

Biomass0.7 MT

Density636 kg/ha

% of ceiling6–7%

Aeration2 units

GREEN · Low Load

Ammonia Load

TAN/day81 kg

PhaseStocking

Feed CP35–40%

FBW~5% body wt

2Daily Monitoring Log — June (Days 1–15 post-stocking)

Day	5AM DO — A	5AM DO — B	2PM DO — A	2PM DO — B	Water Color	Feed Behavior	Mortality	Notes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

3Action Triggers

Feeding Rate

5% of body weight per day · 4 feedings (6AM / 10AM / 2PM / 5PM). Feed type: Starter, 35–40% CP.

Probiotics (Box B only)

Initial pond inoculation Day 1. Feed-mixed probiotic at 5 g/kg feed. Pond dose every 7 days.

Acclimation Watch (Days 1–7)

Expected stocking mortality: 2–3%. Anything above 5% in first week = stop feeding, retest water, call extension officer.

4Box A vs Box B Tracker

Box A (Control)

5AM DO avg

Sample weight (10 fish)

Weekly mortality

Feeding behavior

Box B (Probiotics)

5AM DO avg

Sample weight (10 fish)

Weekly mortality

Feeding behavior

5Stocking Month Checklist

Verify fingerling count and average weight on arrival
Temperature acclimation 30+ minutes before release
Inoculate Box B with starter probiotic dose
Test water Day 1, 3, 7 (DO, pH, TAN, salinity)
Calibrate DO meter weekly
Verify all 6 aerators run cleanly (4 on A, 2 on B)

July 2026 — Month 1

Avg weight ~80g · Phase 1 feed continues

1Biomass Status

Box A (control)

Biomass4.6 MT

Density1,353 kg/ha

% of ceiling14–17%

Aeration4 units

GREEN

Box B (probiotics)

Biomass1.5 MT

Density1,364 kg/ha

% of ceiling14–17%

Aeration2 units

GREEN

Ammonia Load

TAN/day183 kg

vs Stocking2.3x

Feed CP35–40%

FBW~4% body wt

2Daily Monitoring Log — July

Day	5AM DO — A	5AM DO — B	2PM DO — A	2PM DO — B	Water Color	Feed Behavior	Mortality	Notes
Wk1
Wk2
Wk3
Wk4

Tip: log the worst reading of each week here. Keep daily detail in field notebook.

3Action Triggers

Feeding Rate

4% body weight per day · 4 feedings. Feed type unchanged: Starter 35–40% CP (fish still <80g).

Probiotics (Box B)

Feed-mixed: 5 g/kg feed. Pond dose: every 7 days. Track Box B TAN — should run 30–40% lower than Box A.

Water Exchange Trigger

If 5 AM DO drops below 4 mg/L two days in a row → 10–15% water exchange that night, top-of-tide.

Emergency Aeration

If DO < 3 mg/L: all aerators on full, stop feeding for 24 hr, partial water exchange. Call manager immediately.

4Box A vs Box B Tracker

Box A (Control)

5AM DO avg

Sample weight (10 fish)

Monthly mortality

TAN reading

Box B (Probiotics)

5AM DO avg

Sample weight (10 fish)

Monthly mortality

TAN reading

5Month 1 Checklist

Conduct random net sample — 10 fish each box, weigh and record
Confirm Box B fish weight equal or better vs Box A (probiotic benefit check)
Reduce feeding rate from 5% to 4% body weight
Inspect all aerators — clean inlets, check power
Refill probiotic stock if <2 weeks supply
Photo log: water color both boxes, weekly

August 2026 — Month 2

Avg weight ~160g · Feed switch to grower this month

1Biomass Status

Box A (control)

Biomass9.3 MT

Density2,735 kg/ha

% of ceiling27–34%

Aeration4 units

YELLOW · Monitor

Box B (probiotics)

Biomass3.0 MT

Density2,727 kg/ha

% of ceiling27–34%

Aeration2 units

YELLOW · Monitor

Ammonia Load

TAN/day369 kg

vs Stocking4.6x

Feed CP28–32%

FBW~3% body wt

2Daily Monitoring Log — August

Wk	5AM DO — A	5AM DO — B	2PM DO — A	2PM DO — B	Water Color	Feed Behavior	Mortality	Notes
Wk1
Wk2
Wk3
Wk4

3Action Triggers

Feed Type Switch (Weight-based)

When average sample weight reaches 80g+, switch to Grower 28–32% CP. Do not switch by calendar — switch by weight check.

Feeding Rate

3% body weight per day · 3–4 feedings.

Water Exchange — Increase Frequency

Plan 10–15% exchange every 5–7 days even without DO crash. Pre-tidal scheduling now matters.

Probiotics (Box B)

Continue feed dose 5 g/kg. Pond dose — tighten to every 5 days as TAN load rises.

4Box A vs Box B Tracker

Box A (Control)

5AM DO worst

TAN reading

Sample weight

Mortality count

Feed switch date

Box B (Probiotics)

5AM DO worst

TAN reading

Sample weight

Mortality count

Feed switch date

5Month 2 Checklist

Weight sample both boxes — trigger feed switch if 80g+
Order grower feed (28–32% CP) before stocks run out
Test water 2x per week (DO, TAN, pH)
Compare Box A vs Box B TAN — expect 30–40% gap
Service all aerators — spare belts and impellers on hand
Confirm backup generator runs (load test 30 min)

September 2026 — Month 3

Avg weight ~260g · Approaching biomass ceiling · Pre-critical window

1Biomass Status

Box A (control)

Biomass15.1 MT

Density4,441 kg/ha

% of ceiling44–55%

Aeration4 units

YELLOW · Closing in

Box B (probiotics)

Biomass4.9 MT

Density4,455 kg/ha

% of ceiling44–55%

Aeration2 units

YELLOW · Closing in

Ammonia Load

TAN/day600 kg

vs Stocking7.4x

Feed CP28–32%

FBW~2.5% body wt

2Daily Monitoring Log — September

Wk	5AM DO — A	5AM DO — B	2PM DO — A	2PM DO — B	Water Color	Feed Behavior	Mortality	Notes
Wk1
Wk2
Wk3
Wk4

3Action Triggers

Feed Type Switch (Weight-based)

When sample weight reaches 200g+, switch to Finisher 25–28% CP. Lower protein reduces nitrogen excretion exactly when biomass load is peaking.

Feeding Rate

2–2.5% body weight per day · 3 feedings. Stop afternoon feed if pre-dawn DO trending down.

Pre-Month-4 Prep

By end of September: verify backup aerator on standby, generator fueled and tested, probiotic stock for 60 days. Pre-position spares.

Water Exchange

Every 4–5 days, 15% exchange minimum. Pre-tidal timing critical.

4Box A vs Box B Tracker

Box A (Control)

5AM DO worst

TAN reading

Sample weight

Mortality count

Finisher switch date

Box B (Probiotics)

5AM DO worst

TAN reading

Sample weight

Mortality count

Finisher switch date

5Month 3 Checklist

Weight sample both boxes — switch to finisher if 200g+
Pre-stage backup aerator near power inlet
Generator load test — 1 hour minimum
Order finisher feed (25–28% CP)
Daily 5 AM DO from this point on (not weekly summary)
Verify ice supplier contact for harvest month

October 2026 — Month 4 (CRITICAL WINDOW)

Avg weight ~380g · 10x stocking ammonia load · Biomass ceiling

1Biomass Status

Box A (control)

Biomass22.0 MT

Density6,471 kg/ha

% of ceiling65–81%

Aeration4 units (max)

RED · AT CEILING

Box B (probiotics)

Biomass7.1 MT

Density6,455 kg/ha

% of ceiling65–81%

Aeration2 units (max)

RED · AT CEILING

Ammonia Load

TAN/day870 kg

vs Stocking10.7x

Feed CP25–28%

FBW~2% body wt

2Daily Monitoring Log — October (daily entries)

Day	5AM DO — A	5AM DO — B	2PM DO — A	2PM DO — B	Water Color	Feed Behavior	Mortality	Notes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

3Critical-Window Protocols

Pre-Dawn DO Crash Protocol

Take DO reading at 4:30–5:00 AM, every day, no exceptions. This is the lowest DO point of the 24-hour cycle. If reading is < 4.5 mg/L: run aerators 24/7 for next 48 hr, plan emergency water exchange.

Emergency Aeration (DO < 3 mg/L)

Backup aerator on within 15 min · Stop feeding 48 hr · Full pond exchange next tide · Manager + Mike notified immediately by SMS.

Water Exchange Frequency

Minimum 15% exchange every 3 days. Time to incoming tide to maximize fresh water inflow.

Aerator Verification (Daily)

Each morning: confirm all units running, impellers clean, no belt slip. Spare belts and impellers must be on-site.

Probiotics — Maximum Dose (Box B)

Feed dose: 7–8 g/kg feed (raise from 5). Pond dose every 3 days. This is when probiotic TAN-reduction benefit pays off most.

Partial Harvest Trigger

If Box A density passes 7,500 kg/ha or Box B passes 9,000 kg/ha while still <380g: trigger early partial harvest of largest fish to relieve load. See Harvest section.

4Box A vs Box B Tracker (October)

Box A (Control)

Lowest 5AM DO this month

Worst TAN reading

Worst NH3 (un-ionized)

Sample weight

Total mortality this month

Water exchanges

Emergency events

Box B (Probiotics)

Lowest 5AM DO this month

Worst TAN reading

Worst NH3 (un-ionized)

Sample weight

Total mortality this month

Water exchanges

Emergency events

Box B should show 30–40% lower TAN than Box A — this is the experiment data point that matters most.

5Month 4 Daily Checklist (every single day)

4:30–5:00 AM — DO reading both boxes
Visual fish behavior check (any surface gulping?)
Verify all aerators running
Walk perimeter — check inlets, water clarity
2 PM — second DO reading
Log mortality count (separate by box)
SMS daily status to Mike (one line)

November 2026 — Month 5 (Harvest Window)

Avg weight ~500g · Target harvest weight reached

1Biomass Status

Box A (control)

Biomass28.9 MT

Density8,500 kg/ha

% of ceiling85–106%

Aeration4 units (max)

RED · AT/OVER CEILING

Box B (probiotics)

Biomass9.4 MT

Density8,545 kg/ha

% of ceiling85–106%

Aeration2 units (max)

RED · AT/OVER CEILING

Ammonia Load

TAN/day1,149 kg

vs Stocking14.2x

Feed CP25–28%

FBW~1.5–2%

2Daily Monitoring Log — November

Day	5AM DO — A	5AM DO — B	2PM DO — A	2PM DO — B	Water Color	Feed Behavior	Mortality	Notes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Continue daily logs until final harvest. Add days 16–30 in field notebook if harvest extends.

3Action Triggers

Harvest Now if Any Trigger Hit

Sample weight 400g+ on either box · DO crash with no recovery · Mortality > 0.5%/day · Buyer offering premium price.

Partial Harvest Priority (Box B First)

If full harvest can't be coordinated within 1 week: pull Box B first (smaller pond, easier net work, faster relief of biomass ceiling pressure).

Pre-Harvest Feed Stop

Stop feeding 24–36 hr before harvest to clear gut and improve transport quality.

Final Probiotic Dose (Box B)

Stop feed-mixed probiotic 3 days before harvest. Final pond dose 5 days out.

4Final Experiment Tally (Box A vs Box B)

Box A (Control) — End of cycle

Final avg weight

Total harvest weight (kg)

Total survival count

Survival %

FCR (feed:gain)

Avg DO over cycle

Worst TAN reading

Box B (Probiotics) — End of cycle

Final avg weight

Total harvest weight (kg)

Total survival count

Survival %

FCR (feed:gain)

Avg DO over cycle

Worst TAN reading

Harvest Decision & Sampling Protocol

When and how to call the harvest

AWeight Sampling Protocol

Cast net at 3 random spots per pond (corner, middle, opposite corner)
Catch minimum 10 fish per spot — 30 fish per pond
Weigh each fish individually on calibrated scale
Discard heaviest and lightest readings (trim outliers)
Compute average — this is your sample weight
Sample early morning before feeding — fish are calmer
Photograph the catch for record

BTarget Weight Thresholds

Threshold	Weight	Market Position	Action
Minimum	300g	Local wholesale (low price)	Harvest only if forced (DO crash, mortality, biomass overload)
Optimal	400g	Standard market — good price	Default harvest target — full pond harvest
Premium	500g+	Premium / export buyers	Hold for premium buyer if biomass allows; risk = biomass ceiling

CPartial Harvest Decision Tree

Scenario 1 — Both boxes ready, biomass safe

Full harvest sequenced over 2–3 days. Box B first (smaller, faster).

Scenario 2 — Box A approaching ceiling, Box B fine

Partial harvest Box A (top 30%). Hold Box B until full premium weight.

Scenario 3 — Box B at ceiling first (likely)

Pull Box B in full. Use freed labor and ice supply for Box A within 7 days.

Scenario 4 — DO crash + biomass overload

Emergency harvest the affected box that day. Buyer flexibility prearranged in October.

DPre-Harvest Checklist (5 days out)

Confirm buyer pickup date & volume
Ice supplier confirmed (ratio: 1 kg ice per 2 kg fish minimum)
Harvest crew confirmed (minimum 6 hands)
Drag nets inspected & ready
Containers / tubs cleaned
Weighing scale calibrated
Generator fueled (backup for aeration during harvest drawdown)
Stop feed 24–36 hr before haul
Stop probiotic feed 3 days before harvest (Box B)