Monitoring water quality using zooplankton organisms as bioindicators at the Dubica fish farm, Serbia

The quality of water at the Dubica Fish Farm was evaluated by the saprobiological method using the Pantle-Buck saprobity index, during one carp production cycle in the year 2000. By qualitative and quantitative analysis of the zooplankton community, bioindicator species were selected for evaluation of water quality. During the whole period of research, the saprobity index indicated class II water quality, which is suitable for rearing carp in a semi-intensive system as far as natural food is concerned. There was a general trend of decrease in the saprobity index from the beginning to end of the season, its values ranging from 2.05 do 1.77, and a gradual improvement of water quality towards the end of the season. This is partly a result of natural processes (terminated degradation of introduced organic matter as well as settlement of suspended matter introduced with the supply water) and partly a consequence of the application of ichthyological, agrotechnical, and hydrotechnical measures.