Production of fish feed by the aquaponic method

Abstract

Aquaponics is one of the most efficient agricultural production systems; however, there is limited data on its level of effectiveness. The purpose of the research was to study the germination of wheat grain as aquaponic food for herbivorous fish in an aquaponic installation. The experimental production of aquaponic food for herbivorous fish grown in polyculture (carp, grass carp, black carp, silver carp) was studied by the method of wheat grain germination. In an aquaponic device, you can not only grow plants, but also germinate their seeds before planting in the ground. Water is saturated with oxygen due to continuous flow (3.5% more than in a pool without an aquaponic device). This is a positive factor for the growth of fish and energy savings while reducing the duration of the oxygen generators. In addition, the use of an aquaponic device provides favorable conditions for growing plants and fish with a significant reduction in the cost of installation of structures and a decrease in the cost of its operation. An increase in the germination of wheat grain during its germination in an aquaponic installation by 2.0% was established; increase in the length of sprouts during germination - by 27.5%; root length - by 32.2%; increase in the content of crude protein – by 2.2%; vitamin B2 - by 6.1%; carotene – by 4.6%. Hydroponic feed safety indicators were within the limits of sanitary and hygienic standards. The results of this study for the production of hydroponic feed for herbivorous fish directly in the fish farm show that in the production of valuable fortified vegetable environmentally safe feed, it is advisable to use the aquaponic method using water saturated with nutrients.