World Aquaculture 2021

May 24 - 27, 2022

Mérida, Mexico

TILAPIA PRODUCTION IN BIOFLOC SYSTEM

Farhad Rajabipour*, Nassrin Mashaii

National Research Center of Saline Water Aquatics, Iranian Fisheries Research Science Institue, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bafq, Yazd, Iran

 



Intensive culture of Tilapia has developed globally in different systems. The biofloc method is one of the effective responses to the environmental and nutritional issues in aquaculture industry. The system consists of a liner ponds enclosed with enclosed space to prevent evaporation and maintain water temperature and prevent temperature shocks with the central drainage. Aeration causes the flow of water and the discharge of the sewage from the center. Tilapia production in biofloc system has been activated in the desert central region of Iran and has led to the intensive tilapia production in indoor system, recently.

Tilapia was the secound fish cultured in the world during the last decade and it has the first stage of fish culture, now. Due to the special characteristics of this fish, including high adaptability and high resistance, its culture has development in various systems. The development of Tilapia breeding around the world, along with the lack of freshwater for agricultural and urban use, has gradually fueled tilapia from semi-intensive to intensive systems.

Despite the limitation of agriculture and aquaculture activities in the deserted areas due to limited agricultural soil and water resources, technology can response for the proper exploitation of these are sources for food and protein production. Intensive culture of Tilapia has developed globally in pools, tanks, raceways, cage, return and aquaponic systems. Water quality and nutrition management are the most important factors for success of intensive tilapia culture.

Tilapia is a filter feeder fish, so, fertility of pond has an important role in the culture. The biofloc method is one of the effective responses to the environmental and nutritional issues in aquaculture industry (Zhang & Luo, 2014). Biofloc technology is the use of a microbial community to produce a high-protein supplementary microbial source that is used by the filter feeder species. Aeration and proper mixing lead to water quality control. The microbial community, which is mainly heterotrophic bacteria in water, acts as a biofilter. The function of these bacteria accelerates the absorption of nitrogen and reduces ammonia levels and is more efficient than the nitrification process. Increasing hydrocarbons leads to fixing N and non-organic C producing proteins (Azim & Little, 2008; Day, 2015; Avnimelech 2012 & 2007).

In the biofloc systems water change is very low, the amount of feed consumed in these systems is minimized, the nutrient excreted from the breeding system is significantly reduced and nutrients are recycled regularly. Besides, using brackish water in the system leads to intensive tilapia culture.

Our implanted system consists of a liner ponds enclosed with enclosed space to prevent evaporation and maintain water temperature and prevent temperature shocks with the central drainage. Aeration causes the flow of water and the discharge of the sewage from the center.

Tilapia production in biofloc system is used in some parts of the world. In Iran, it has been activated in the desert central region of Iran and has led to the intensive tilapia production in indoor system, recentl