SRAC# 462, Nitrite in Fish Ponds (Revised 1997)

SRAC# 462

Nitrite in Fish Ponds (Revised 1997)

Robert M. Durborow, David M. Crosby and Martin W. Brunson

Opening Paragraph:
Nitrite enters a fish culture system after feed is digested by fish and the excess nitrogen is converted into ammonia, which is then excreted as waste into the water. Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN; NH3 and NH4+ ) is then converted to nitrite (NO2 ) which, under normal conditions, is quickly converted to non-toxic nitrate (NO3 ) by naturally occurring bacteria (Figure 1). Uneaten (wasted) feed and other organic material also break down into ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in a similar manner.

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