Pangasius catfish (known locally as patin) is a freshwater fish of growing economic importance in Indonesia and abroad. Demand for this fish has risen as consumers seek a healthy, nutritious and affordable source of protein. Native to Indonesian waters, pangasius has been domesticated and is now farmed intensively in many regions. This diverse fishery benefits from multiple native species; local fisheries authorities in Bali’s Buleleng Regency report that at least six Pangasius species (including P. djambal, P. humeralis and P. nasutus) are native to Indonesia, giving farmers options that are best suited to local conditions and market demand.

Challenges of declining water quality

However, this growing industry now faces a significant challenge: the quality of the water in fish ponds is declining. Many pangasius ponds are located near villages or farmland, making them vulnerable to contamination from household waste (such as detergents and organic refuse) and agricultural runoff (including pesticide residues). According to the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry, about 60 percent of the country’s freshwater sources have already suffered declines in quality from organic pollutants and domestic waste.

These polluted inflows directly impact pond conditions. Contaminants reduce dissolved oxygen levels, add to the organic matter load, and encourage the growth of harmful pathogens. As a result, pangasius in these ponds become more susceptible to disease, their growth rates slow, and in severe cases large-scale die-offs may occur. These problems hurt both the productivity and income of farmers, who must also bear higher operating costs to replace water or purchase medications for sick fish.

To address these challenges, a simple and cost-effective technology is needed—one that can be implemented at the farm level without sophisticated equipment. One promising solution is biopore technology.

What is biopore technology?

Biopore technology leverages a natural soil process based on simple infiltration holes (biopores) formed by earthworms, ants, termites and plant roots. These biological channels create cavities that allow water and air to move freely through the soil. Soils with biopore channels can absorb 40–60% more rainwater than compacted ground without them. For ponds, a typical biopore hole is dug about 50–100 cm deep and 10–30 cm wide.

In the context of fish farming, the idea is to create a ring of such biopore holes around each pond. When farmers flush the pond or heavy rains arrive, the water (and any dissolved waste) flows into these holes and seeps into the earth below rather than pooling on the surface. This natural filtration reduces the accumulation of organic waste at the pond bottom and suppresses the formation of toxic ammonia, helping to keep water quality within optimal limits. In effect, the biopore holes act like tiny drains and compost pits at the pond’s edge.

In addition, biopore holes double as composters for farm waste. A typical pangasius farm generates considerable organic waste each cycle (uneaten feed and fish excrement can amount to 10–20% of all feed used). By filling the biopore holes with this waste—along with other organic material like dried leaves or grass clippings—farmers provide food for soil microbes. Over time, these microbes break down the material into rich humus, yielding natural compost that can be used for nearby crops or vegetation while preventing waste from piling up on the farm.

Biopore holes as a medium for composting organic waste: Rumah Informasi Biopori Lampung

Methods of implementing biopore technology in pangasius fish ponds

Implementing this system in pangasius ponds is straightforward:

1. Dig infiltration holes

Around the perimeter of each pond, dig a series of holes about 50–100 cm deep and 10–30 cm wide, adjusting size and spacing for local soil conditions.

2. Fill holes with organic material

Add dried leaves, grass clippings, uneaten feed or other biodegradable farm waste into the holes. This organic matter will feed soil microorganisms.

3. Encourage decomposition and drainage

As microbes decompose the material, the soil becomes more porous. Over time, each biopore hole forms a channel through which water can quickly infiltrate the ground.

4. Maintain the system

Periodically top up the holes with fresh organic matter to keep them active. After heavy rains or pond cleaning, water drains through the biopores instead of pooling on the surface.

This approach stabilizes the pond’s water circulation and minimizes stagnant zones, preventing the buildup of harmful substances in the bottom mud. Farmers often complement the biopore holes with periodic liming: adding dolomite lime helps neutralize acidity in ponds built on peat or naturally acidic soil, keeping the pH at levels optimal for pangasius growth.

By adapting this age-old soil technique to modern fish farming, pangasius producers can significantly improve water quality and sustainability. The biopore system uses local resources (soil organisms and farm waste) to cleanse the water and generate compost, providing a low-cost, nature-based way to boost productivity and protect the environment.

Research findings on biopore technology

A recent 90-day study of Pangasius ponds on peat soil found that simple biopore holes helped keep water quality remarkably steady. In ponds fitted with biopores, the water pH ranged only between about 5.8 and 6.3, whereas a similar pond without biopores swung more widely from 5.1 to 6.7. In practice this means the biopore system dampened sudden acidity spikes – a key benefit given how naturally acidic peatland water can otherwise stress the fish. While the numerical pH difference seems modest, researchers noted that avoiding drastic pH drops contributes to healthier fish conditions.

Other water parameters in the trial supported these findings. Both biopore and control ponds maintained optimal temperatures for catfish (around 27.5–28 °C), ideal for growth. The biopore pond also showed a slightly higher level of dissolved oxygen (about 3.9–4.3 mg/L, compared to 3.2–3.9 mg/L in the control), likely reflecting cleaner water and better aeration. Taken together, the data suggest that even this low-tech intervention keeps pond chemistry more consistent and fish-friendly over time. Notably, the study’s authors point out that biopore holes can also double as natural drains: by connecting a simple siphon from the pond to a biopore pit, farmers can flush out waste water and solids, further aiding overall water quality.

Other benefits of biopore technology

Beyond water quality alone, biopore holes offer practical advantages for farmers and the environment. For waste management, the pits act as simple disposal channels. By attaching a siphon or drain pipe from the pond into a biopore hole, farmers can regularly carry away fish excrement, uneaten feed and sludge from the bottom, preventing organic buildup. This flushing helps keep the pond floor clean and the water free of excess pollutants, directly promoting fish health.

The process of making biopore infiltration holes: Rumah Informasi Biopori Lampung

Biopore holes also confer environmental benefits. In heavy rains, they increase soil permeability and absorption around the pond, dramatically reducing surface runoff and standing water. This means fewer waterlogged patches and a lower chance of floodwaters carrying nutrients or pollutants into nearby streams. At the same time, more rain seeps underground, recharging groundwater reserves and bolstering the local water supply. In other words, what begins as a pond-maintenance measure also doubles as a form of local flood control and water conservation.

Key advantages of biopore holes include:

• Natural waste disposal: They serve as easy waste-outlet pits, allowing fish waste, leftover feed and pond sludge to be siphoned off into the ground.
• Flood mitigation and recharge: By boosting soil infiltration, biopores reduce surface runoff and pooling, lowering flood risk and helping to recharge aquifers.
• Low cost and ease of use: Creating biopores requires only simple tools and organic fill. As one expert review notes, digging small pits and filling them with yard waste is “very easy and only requires low costs”. No expensive equipment or complex technology is needed, making the method practical for even small-scale farmers.

In the long term, these simple holes could help make Pangasius farming more sustainable and eco-friendly. With negligible expenses and straightforward upkeep, biopore technology offers a viable path to boost farm productivity while protecting the environment. By stabilizing water conditions, managing waste, and conserving water all at once, it provides an attractive, low-tech solution for fish farmers aiming to increase yields without harming their land and communities.