1. Carefully characterise the potential user group. Too often fish technologists try to push their own interests ahead of the farmer's. Among other things, the resource base of the farm, the reasons for the adopting fish culture and the cultural constraints which may exist towards certain species must be considered.

2. Survey available species desirable pond culture characteristics. Depending upon the culture system and the needs of the farmer, such factors as hardiness, omnivory and/or complementarity of diet with an already cultured species, ease of reproduction and availability of broodstock should be considered. Such a survey might be a combination of a literature review and field studies.

3. Culture the selected species under the conditions which prevail on the farms of the target group. Although it may be difficult to guess a priori, a stocking density which will reach carrying capacity within a realistic culture period should be selected. Regular monitoring to estimate growth rate should be attempted, although this may not always be possible.

4. Based on the estimation of individual and population growth obtained and a careful analysis of the motivation and cultural information, a culture system can be described for use by the target group.

5. The next step is to carry out controlled on-farm trials of the proposed species.

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