There is apparently enormous potential for intensified fish farming in Bangladesh. This paper reports on a pilot study which investigated possible social and economic constraints on realising this potential. The range of uses of ponds is very large and includes household uses, field drainage, irrigation, duck and fish firming, cattle watering and the production of crops for both human and cattle. Very few ponds are actually derelict, but intensity of use varies greatly. Multiple pond ownership is commonly thought to be a major constraint of fish farming, but the problem was found mainly to be one of inheritance which throws together people of different generations and of different, often competing, interests. Other multi-owner ponds farm fish quite successfully. Other problems identified were non-availability of fish fry, lack of technical training for the farmers, shortage of investment capital and the theft of fish or their deliberate poisoning due to rivalry, enmity or even jealousy. Areas for further research are outlined.