Growth, antioxidant activities and haemato-biochemical responses of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT), Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings reared in Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) at different stocking densities fed on artificial feed

Author: Anusha Patel, Sikendra Kumar, Tincy Varghese, Ashutosh D. Deo, Vijaykumar M. and A.K. Verma

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Abstract

A 6- weeks feeding trial was conducted by stocking Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT), Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings at different stocking densities in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) to estimate the growth, antioxidant activities and haemato-biochemical responses during the culture period. The water flow rate of 10litres per minute was maintained throughout the experiment. The GIFT tilapia fingerlings with an average weight of 15.34g ±0.59 were stocked at different stocking densities as T1 (3833g/m3, 250 fishes/m3), T2 (5500g/m3, 366 fishes/m3) and T3 (7166g/m3, 466 fishes/ m3). Significantly (P<0.05) higher weight gain, weight gain %, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio were found in the T1 group compared to T2 and T3. The T3 manifested the lowest above growth parameters. The T1 group reported a significantly (P<0.05) lower release of phosphorus 4.29mg/l compared to the T2 and T3 groups. The highest phosphorus level of 7.49 mg/l was reported in the T3 stocked with 7166g/ m3, which was comparable with the T2. The release of total ammonia nitrogen did not vary (P>0.05) among the treatments. The T1 group showed a lower dietary total ammonia nitrogen release than the T2 and T3. The T3 group had significantly (P<0.05) elevated nitrite and nitrate levels. The serum total protein, albumin and globulin were significantly (P<0.05) higher in T1, which was comparable to T2. The superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were also analysed, and these parameters vary significantly (P<0.05) among the treatments. The T1 group reported the highest survival percentage in comparison to other treatments. It can be concluded that in the present experiment at a stocking density of 3833g/m3 (250 fishes/m3) the optimal growth performance of GIFT tilapia was found in the RAS with the lower release of dietary phosphorus, total ammonia nitrogen and nitrite.

Keywords

Recirculating aquaculture system, GIFT tilapia, Growth, Stocking densities

Conclusion

In the present experiment, the stocking density 3833g/ m3 (250 fishes /m3) showed better growth performance of GIFT tilapia fingerlings, elevated antioxidant and immune responses with lower release of phosphorus, total ammonia, nitrite and nitrate in the RAS.

References

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How to cite this article

Anusha Patel, Sikendra Kumar, Tincy Varghese, Ashutosh D. Deo, Vijaykumar M. and A.K. Verma (2024). Growth, antioxidant activities and haemato-biochemical responses of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT), Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings reared in Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) at different stocking densities fed on artificial feed. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(2): 86-93.