Performance of a bio-integrated aquaculture production system in floating net cages with angelfish, aquatic plant and leafy vegetable

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the efficiency of an integrated aquaculture system in a reservoir utilizing three components like ornamental fish, ornamental aquatic plant and leafy vegetable in floating net cages. Methodology: Components used in the study comprised Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare), aquatic plant (Ceratophyllum demersum), and leafy vegetable (Spinacia oleracea). Angelfish and ornamental aquatic plants were stocked inside the net cages (3x3x3m), while leafy vegetables were grown on rafts floating on the surface of cages. Completely Randomized Design was followed in triplicates for 90 days. Three treatments T1, T2 and T3 were stocked with angelfish (0.24±0.06g) of varying stocking densities 20, 25, 30 m-3 respectively, along with uniform stocking densities of C. demersum (20 bundles per cage weighing 414.17±5.12 g per cage) and spinach (144 numbers per cage; average height 8.69±0.52 cm), whereas C1 (Angelfish 20/m3) and C2 (C. demersum and spinach) were used to compare the efficiency of the system. Results: The growth performances of angelfish after 90 days, in terms of average weight, survival rate, feed efficiency ratio and specific growth rate were significantly higher (p<0.05) in T3 with 1.60±0.09g, 87.04±0.98%, 0.32±0.001 and 2.11±0.01%/day respectively, whereas Feed Conversion Ratio was significantly lower (p<0.05) in T3 (3.15±0.01). There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the biomass production of C. demersum and growth of spinach. Digestive and stress enzymes showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between the treatments and control. Interpretation: This study demonstrated the efficiency of the bio-integrated food production system paving a way to enhance the utilization of open water resources benefiting farmers with food and income.