Abstract
Intensive aquaculture systems may cause pollution in water bodies because their effluents have high levels of nutrients. The use of substrates for periphyton and the manipulation of the C: N ratio of water are technologies that can be employed to increase aquaculture yield with environmental sustainability. The present study has aimed at determining whether feeding restriction could stimulate a greater use of natural food in three different Nile tilapia rearing systems (green water, bioflocs and biophyton), without growth performance impairment. There were nine treatments with four replicates each one (36 experimental units). The animals were raised in conventional (green water) tanks, C: N-ratio adjusted tanks (bioflocs) and bioflocs + periphyton integrated tanks (biophyton). In each culture system, the artificial diet was delivered regularly or under two levels of restriction (15 and 30%). In conventional tanks, fish growth performance was reduced by feeding restriction. Ammonia and nitrite were reduced in bioflocs tanks. Underwater structures for periphyton were not able to increase ammonia and nitrite removal. In bioflocs tanks, feeding restriction of 15% did not lessen fish weigh gain. Underwater structures for periphyton have not improved fish growth performance in any aspect.
Highlights
Intensive aquaculture systems can cause eutrophication of nearby water bodies because their effluents have a high load of nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus (Crab, Avnimelech, Defoirdt, Bossier, & Verstraete, 2007)
The present study has aimed at determining whether feeding restriction could stimulate a greater use of natural food in three different Nile tilapia rearing systems, without growth performance impairment
In conventional green water tanks, tilapia growth performance may be reduced by feeding restriction
Summary
Intensive aquaculture systems can cause eutrophication of nearby water bodies because their effluents have a high load of nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus (Crab, Avnimelech, Defoirdt, Bossier, & Verstraete, 2007). The adjustment of the C: N ratio of water is carried out by adding a carbon source to water, usually dry molasses, to boost the development of heterotrophic bacteria in water (bioflocs). These bacterial bioflocs may be used as a protein source by the rearing animals, immobilizing nitrogenous compounds and decreasing the likelihood of disease outbreaks (Emerenciano, Cuzon, Arievalo, & Gaxiola, 2014; Khatoon et al, 2016). A new possibility is the use of tanks supplied with underwater structures and adjustment of the C: N ratio of water In this mixed “biophyton” system, it is expected a higher provision of natural food and more water filtration. The present study has aimed at determining whether feeding restriction could stimulate a greater use of natural food in three different Nile tilapia rearing systems (green water, bioflocs and biophyton), without growth performance impairment
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