IMPACT OF BIOFLOC SYSTEM ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BLUE MORPH Pseudotropheus saulosi

Freshwater ornamental fish species are being produced around the world. Presently, the export value of ornamental fish production has gained remarkable attention, it increased about 14 percent since 1985 and is anticipated to rise further exponentially in the future. The biofloc system is an approach in aquaculture, and has gained significant importance, also is widely applied.  The present study was conducted to assess the impact of biofloc system on growth performanc of blue morph, Pseudotropheus saulosi for the period of 145 days.

The experimental larvae (9.6 ± 0.2 mm; 39.86 ± 0.78 mg) were stocked at 1000 individuals in each tank (14000 L capacity) with round the clock aeration. They fed with a commercial diet (32% protein) at the rate of 5% body weight in couple of times in a day. Student t test was employed to check significance difference between the treatment and control. The water quality parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, hardness, nitrite-N, nitrate-N, and ammonia-N were monitored periodically.

The nitrite concentration was significantly lower in biofloc (1.16± 0.47 µg at N/L) as compared to control (50.05± 0.86 µg at N/L).And, similar result also observed for ammonia. An average body weight was significantly (P<0.01) higher in biofloc 7100.14 ± 79.22 mg than that of the  control 5100 ± 92 mg. And similarly, the daily weight gain (mg), wet gain percent, and specific growth rate (%/day) were also found highest in biofloc over the control with 1% significance level. This study concludes that the biofloc had better greater growth with optimal water quality than the control.