The overall objective of organic and inorganic fertilizers is to increase fish farm productivity. A common practice in fish farms is the fertilization of ponds to enhance algae growth and promote the production of zooplankton suitable for larvae. Several studies carried out in freshwater environments have established that the growth of phytoplankton may be controlled to a large degree by the limitation of nutrients, availability of light and the composition and abundance of zooplankton (Basualto et al., 2006).

Fish farms' water quality management is analyzed with regard to the management employed and the different trophic states are compared within the system during the dry and rainy seasons. Six sites were marked two in the water supply (P1 and P2), and four within the fish farm (P3 to P6). Whereas sites P1 and P2 (water supply) were characterized as oligotrophic, the others were mesotrophic and eutrotrophic sites. Environmental variables, mainly nutrients, conductivity, COD, BOD5 and TSS tended to increase as from P3 due to management and fertilization. Greater impact has been registered in the fish farm under analysis for variables COD, ammonia, total phosphorus and TSS during the discharge and pond emptying period. Frequent monitoring of water quality should be undertaken in fish breeding and plankton production ponds, especially in those close to P3 and P4. Removal of sediment in decantation lake or P5 is also recommended to decrease nutrient concentrations, especially phosphorus, accumulated on the bottom soil.

ABSTRACT. The nutritional value of zooplankton (lipid and phosphorus contents) was analyzed in outdoor, plankton-culture tanks, to monitor the effects of diurnal variation and fertilization. Total lipid contents were significantly higher (average values of about 14% DW) for the treatment fertilized during the sampling week. A significantly highher total lipid concentrations generally coincided with high biomass of Moina sp. (Cladocera) and Thermocyclops sp. nauplii (Copepoda), which is probably related to zooplankton filtration rates. The values tended to be higher during the afternoon and the night. Phosphorus contents in the zooplanktonic population varied from 0.15 to 0.91% DW, with significant differences among the tanks. The zooplankton nutritional quality was greatly influenced by fertilization, which also determined the species composition in the tanks.Key words: zooplankton, biochemical composition, biomass, plankton tanks.RESUMO. Variação nictemeral da composição bioquímica e biomassa do zooplâncton em tanques de cultivo de plâncton. O valor nutricional do zooplâncton (teor de lipídios e fósforo) foi analisado em tanques externos de cultivo de plâncton, sendo monitorados os efeitos da variação diurna e fertilização. O teor de lipídios foi significantemente mais elevado no tanque que sofreu fertilização na semana da coleta, com valor médio de 14% PS. Em geral, elevadas concentrações de lipídios foram observadas quando a biomassa de Moina sp. (Cladocera) e de náuplios de Thermocyclops sp. (Copepoda) também foram altas, estando relacionadas com a filtração do zooplâncton. Os valores tenderam a ser maiores durante os períodos diurno e vespertino. O teor de fósforo no zooplâncton variou entre 0,15% e 0,91% PS, com diferenças significativas entre os tanques. A qualidade nutricional do zooplâncton foi influenciada pelo regime de fertilização dos tanques, o qual também determinou a composição das espécies presentes.