Abstract: In order to compare the performance indexes of the main mechanical aeration methods in pond culture, the aeration capacity in clean water test, the changes of dissolved oxygen in actual pond and the power efficiency for some kinds of mechanical aeration methods were studied through historical and current data of clean water oxygenation test and field experiments in ponds. The results indicated that the aeration capacity of impeller aerator was 4% and 264% higher than those of paddlewheel aerator and propeller aerator respectively; the power efficiency of impeller aerator was 12.7% and 259% higher than those of paddlewheel aerator and propeller aerator respectively in clean water; the time to achieve the water layer mixing uniformity for impeller aerator was 40% less than those for paddlewheel aerator and propeller aerator, and the increasing values of dissolved oxygen for impeller aerator was 115% and 293% higher than those for paddlewheel aerator and propeller aerator respectively in pond. The comprehensive aeration performance of impeller aerator is higher than that of paddlewheel aerator and propeller aerator, and the propeller aerator has the worst comprehensive aeration performance. The study can provide useful references for the rational application of mechanical aeration methods in pond culture.