The verdict in three sentences
In fish farming, feed is 50 to 60 % of cost and every excess gram sinks to the pond floor and never comes back. Software sets rations on real biomass and monitors water quality — oxygen, pH, temperature — where mass die-offs happen. For 10,000 to 30,000 FCFA per month, you protect a cycle that ties up several hundred thousand FCFA.
Feeding set on biomass
The classic trap: feeding by the bucket, out of habit. The ration must follow the pond's total live weight (biomass) and water temperature. Software recalculates the amount after each sample weighing and stops the waste.
| Tilapia stage | Avg weight | Feeding rate | Feed (% biomass/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fry | 1-5 g | High | 8-10 % |
| Juvenile | 5-50 g | Medium | 5-7 % |
| Grow-out | 50-200 g | Moderate | 3-4 % |
| Finishing | 200-400 g | Low | 1.5-2.5 % |
| Pre-harvest | > 400 g | Maintenance | 1-1.5 % |
Feeding at 5 % when 2.5 % is needed on a 300 kg biomass pond wastes ~7.5 kg of feed per day, nearly 4,500 FCFA thrown out daily (feed ≈ 600 FCFA/kg).
Water quality: the thresholds that kill or save
Most mass losses come from water, not disease. A simple twice-daily check prevents overnight asphyxia and shocks.
| Parameter | Healthy zone | Critical threshold | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissolved oxygen | 5-8 mg/L | < 3 mg/L | Mass die-off (night) |
| pH | 6.5-8.5 | < 6 or > 9 | Stress, lower appetite |
| Temperature | 26-30 °C | < 20 °C | Stalled growth |
| Ammonia (NH3) | < 0.05 mg/L | > 0.1 mg/L | Toxicity, lesions |
| Target survival | > 80 % | < 70 % | Unprofitable cycle |
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Mini case study
Modou runs four tilapia ponds in Saint-Louis, 5,000 fry per 7-month cycle. Without tracking he lost ~25 % of stock and overfed. With the software: survival back up to 83 %, ration tuned to biomass. Math: 5,000 fry × 8 survival points regained = 400 extra fish × 1,200 FCFA = 480,000 FCFA, plus ~300 kg of feed saved (~180,000 FCFA). Against a 240,000 FCFA annual subscription, the return is strongly positive from the first cycle.
FAQ
Does it handle tilapia AND clarias (catfish)? Yes, each species has its own growth curve and feeding plan. Clarias tolerates low oxygen better, tilapia is more sensitive: alert thresholds adapt to the pond's species.
Do I need expensive connected sensors? No to start. Manual entry from a colorimetric test or a handheld probe is enough. Automatic sensors remain an option for larger farms.
How many ponds can I track? As many as needed. Each pond has its record: biomass, last feeding, latest water readings, active alerts. The dashboard compares ponds side by side.
What's a typical tilapia cycle in Senegal? Around 6 to 8 months to reach 300-400 g depending on feed and temperature. The software projects harvest date and expected biomass from weighings.
What does it cost in 2026? Between 10,000 and 30,000 FCFA per month depending on ponds and users. For an operation tying up hundreds of thousands of FCFA per cycle, it's cheap insurance.
Let's talk about your project. We build your fish-farming software around your ponds, species and cycles. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
