Before releasing the fingerlings test the toxicity of the pond water if the pond is poisoned.
Fix a hapa in the pond and release 5–10 fingerlings. Observe for 24 hours if they survive without exhibiting any apparent change in their behaviour, then the pond is ready for stocking.
Alternatively toxicity can also be tested by taking pond water in bucket/hundi and releasing 3–4 fingerlings.
If the fingerlings die, then wait for 7–8 more days and again examine the toxicity of water.