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Moderate salinities enhance growth performance of Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) fingerlings in the biofloc system
Author(s) -
Alvarenga Érika Ramos,
Alves Gabriel Francisco de Oliveira,
Fernandes Arthur Francisco Araújo,
Costa Gabriel Reis,
Silva Marcos Antônio,
Teixeira Edgar de Alencar,
Turra Eduardo Maldonado
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
aquaculture research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-2109
pISSN - 1355-557X
DOI - 10.1111/are.13728
Subject(s) - nile tilapia , oreochromis , biology , tilapia , aquaculture , fishery , salinity , nitrite , zoology , fillet (mechanics) , veterinary medicine , ecology , fish <actinopterygii> , medicine , materials science , nitrate , composite material
The biofloc technology ( BFT ) has recently gained attention as an economic and environmentally sustainable system for aquaculture. The use of BFT with salinized water could be used to minimize the negative effects of nitrogenous waste and improve the growth performance of Nile tilapia. This work evaluated the growth performance, survival, gill lesions, and fillet composition of tilapia fingerlings ( Oreochromis niloticus ) reared during 70 days with different salinities (0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 g/L) in a biofloc previously developed. The results indicated that the use of mature bioflocs alone was sufficient to avoid fingerling mortality due to nitrite peaks. Moreover, the salinized water, especially between 4 and 8 g/L (maximum points around 6 g/L), can be recommended in BFT to improve the growth performance of tilapia in the initial culture phase. The salinity level that was evaluated did not affect fillet composition nor the occurrence of gill lesions. The total ammonia nitrogen concentration was lower in freshwater than in salinized water ( p < 0.05). Nitrite peaks in salinities of 12 and 16 g/L appeared later and were higher in comparison to other treatments. Considering minimal water exchange in BFT , the use of salinized water in this system may be environmentally viable.