O

  • Off-flavor (Earthy/Musty): An unpleasant taste and odor in the flesh of fish or shrimp, caused by the absorption of compounds (geosmin, MIB) produced by cyanobacteria or actinomycetes.

  • Organic Matter: Waste in the pond (feces, uneaten feed, dead plankton) that decomposes.

  • Osmoregulation: The physiological process by which an animal controls the balance of water and salts in its body, essential for surviving in fresh or salt water.

  • Outbreak: A sudden occurrence of a disease in a population.

  • Outlet: The structure (e.g., Monk) through which water is drained from the pond.

  • Oximeter: An electronic device used to measure dissolved oxygen.

  • Oxygen Saturation (%): The ratio (in %) of the dissolved oxygen present to the maximum amount the water could hold at that temperature and pressure.