Performance of Red Tilapia Hybrid and Mint under Different Density Low Saline Integrated Aquaponic Systems

Abstract

This study determined how stocking density affected water quality, red tilapia performance, proximate body composition, and mint performance in low-saline aquaponic systems. Experimental systems were stocked with 40 fish / m3 (low density: LD) and 60 fish/ m3 (high density: HD), three replicates each. The experiment lasted for 120 days. Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) was significantly higher in LD treatment. Water pH decreased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing stocking density. Both Ammonia nor Nitrite did not affect significantly. Weight gain and specific growth rate% were significantly higher in the LD group, 150.33 ±8.95 and 1.65 ±0.006, respectively, as compared with 122.0 ± 3.46 and1.48 ± 0.005 for HD. The survival rate% was 92.5%±1.25 and 88.33%±0.98 for LD and HD, respectively. Total fish biomass in HD units (8.78 Kg. ± 0.24) was significantly higher than in LD (7.18 Kg. ± 0.37). The feed conversion ratio was significantly reduced with increasing stocking density, whereas the protein efficiency ratio increased with stocking density. Individual plant fresh weight, length, and number of leaves did not differ significantly with fish density. Root length significantly declined with fish density increasing 60.21±4.79 and 41.18 ± 4.20 cm, respectively. The fish body content of moisture, protein, and ash did not differ significantly with stocking density. Significantly lower fish body fat content was found in the HD group