How to Choose a Suitable Underwater Aquaculture Camera?
Hits: 496 Time: August 29,2025
In modern aquaculture, underwater aquaculture camera have become key equipment, helping farmers accurately grasp aquaculture dynamics and optimize management. Faced with a wide range of products on the market, how to select a camera that meets one's own needs can be analyzed in depth from the following dimensions:
Protective Performance
Waterproof Rating: It is essential to ensure that the camera meets an IP68 or higher waterproof rating. This means it is completely dustproof and can work normally when continuously immersed in water under specified water pressure and time. For example, in common freshwater pond aquaculture, the water depth is generally 1-3 meters, so the camera needs to stably withstand the water pressure and water environment at this depth; in some deep-water cage mariculture scenarios, the water depth can reach 10 meters or even deeper. At this time, the requirements for waterproof performance are more stringent, and only equipment with a high protection rating can ensure long-term stable operation and prevent equipment damage caused by water ingress.
Corrosion Resistance: Both the microorganisms and chemical substances in freshwater and the high-salinity environment of seawater are corrosive. Therefore, the camera shell and internal key components should be made of corrosion-resistant materials, such as stainless steel, titanium alloy, or composite materials treated with special anti-corrosion processes. Some high-quality products also have an anti-corrosion coating on the surface. For instance, certain cameras used for mariculture monitoring can effectively resist salt erosion with this special coating, extending the service life of the equipment and reducing the cost loss caused by frequent equipment replacement.
Imaging Quality
Resolution: To clearly capture subtle states of fish, such as feeding, growth, and swimming, it is recommended to choose products with a resolution of 1080p or higher. For example, in the early stage of fish fry hatching, a high-resolution camera can clearly show the size and vitality of the fry; in the adult fish breeding stage, it can accurately identify whether the fish body has disease characteristics (such as surface congestion and ulcers). Nowadays, some high-end underwater aquaculture camera have reached a 4K (3840×2160) resolution, which can provide extremely detailed images and serve as a strong visual basis for precise aquaculture decisions.
Low-Light and Infrared Performance: The light in aquaculture water is weak on cloudy days, at night, or in deep-water areas. At this time, a low-illumination sensor is crucial, as it can capture clear images under weak light. Meanwhile, the built-in infrared lamp or white light lamp can supplement light on demand: the infrared fill light is suitable for concealed monitoring at night without affecting the normal daily routine of fish; the white light lamp can restore true colors, facilitating the observation of fish body color and water quality color. Some cameras use special optical designs to effectively avoid image blurring caused by underwater infrared light scattering, ensuring imaging quality.
Lens Characteristics: Priority should be given to cameras equipped with anti-distortion wide-angle lenses. These lenses can adapt to the special light refraction underwater, expand the field of view, and reduce shooting blind spots. For example, in large-scale aquaculture ponds or industrial recirculating aquaculture tanks, wide-angle lenses can cover a larger area, allowing more aquaculture information to be obtained with a single shot and improving monitoring efficiency.
Functional Characteristics
Intelligent Functions: Cameras with target recognition and behavior analysis functions can automatically identify the type and quantity of fish, and monitor their swimming trajectories and feeding behaviors. Once abnormal fish aggregation (such as aggregation on the water surface due to oxygen deficiency) or decreased feeding enthusiasm is detected, timely warnings can be issued. The automatic dimming function can adjust the exposure and fill light according to changes in underwater light, maintaining clear and bright images at all times without frequent manual intervention.
Image Stability and Anti-Interference: Water flow fluctuations and vibrations generated by the operation of underwater equipment can easily cause image jitter, affecting observation. Cameras with image stabilization technology can effectively eliminate such jitter; at the same time, the optimized circuit design can resist complex underwater electromagnetic interference (such as interference from aerators, water pumps, and other equipment), ensuring the stable operation of the camera and uninterrupted image transmission.
Data Storage and Transmission: The local storage function (such as SD card storage) can continuously record aquaculture images when the network is abnormal, avoiding data loss. Supporting long-distance transmission technologies (such as optical fiber, coaxial cable transmission, and some supporting underwater wireless communication), it can stably transmit real-time video signals to the farmer's monitoring terminal, facilitating remote viewing. Professional waterproof connectors and cables ensure stable signal and power supply, reducing transmission failures.
Installation and Power Supply
Installation Methods: Considering the characteristics of the aquaculture scenario, choose a camera with flexible installation methods. The adsorption type is suitable for temporary monitoring or installation on smooth aquaculture pond walls; the fixed type can be stably fixed in a specific position for a long time; the hanging type allows easy adjustment of the shooting angle; cameras that can be mounted on underwater robots can flexibly move to different areas for monitoring. Cameras with a miniaturized design are more convenient to install and operate in limited spaces.
Power Supply Modes: Priority should be given to cameras that can be powered by dedicated underwater cables or linked with underwater platforms to ensure long-term stable operation. Some cameras have built-in batteries, which can be used for emergency purposes when the main power supply is interrupted, and are especially suitable for remote or deep-sea aquaculture areas. When making a selection, attention should be paid to the battery life and charging convenience.
Brand and After-Sales Service
Brand Reputation: Priority should be given to brands with a good reputation and rich R&D and production experience in the field of underwater cameras. Well-known brands usually have stricter standards in technological R&D and product quality control, and their product performance and stability are more reliable. For example, brands like Hikvision have their underwater cameras widely verified by the market and are highly trusted by farmers.
After-Sales Service: Comprehensive after-sales service is crucial, including responsive technical support to solve problems in a timely manner when the equipment malfunctions; sufficient supply of spare parts to ensure timely equipment maintenance; and provision of equipment maintenance guidance to help farmers use and maintain the camera correctly, extending the service life of the equipment.
