Tilapia nursery stocking densities in a chemoautotrophic biofloc system

ABSTRACT The nursery phase in tilapia using biofloc technology is important as it increases the predictability of production. However, none studies evaluating the stocking densities of tilapia focused only on the use of an inorganic carbon source to promote the nitrification process as the main way to control nitrogen in the system. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of varied nursery stocking densities, in a chemoautotrophic biofloc system, on water quality, zootechnical parameters, and health of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Fifteen tanks (100 L capacity) containing heaters (28 ±1°C) inoculated with mature bioflocs were used. Seven hundred and fifty tilapia fingerlings (weighing 0.66 ±0.17 g) were distributed in the tanks, in triplicate, so that the densities in the tanks reached 200, 350, 500, 650, and 800 fish m-3. Dissolved oxygen and tilapia growth showed a negative linear relationship with fish density. A positive linear relationship with density was observed for nitrogen compounds, alkalinity, suspended solids, yield, and feed conversion. However, the water quality parameters were appropriate for tilapia and allowed good zootechnical performance irrespective of the fish density. Hematological parameters, fish survival, and uniformity in growth did not alter with densities. Total suspended solids produced by fish biomass showed a quadratic relationship with density, with the highest efficiency of the tanks stocked with 406 fish m-3. It is possible to construct a tilapia nursery in chemoautotrophic biofloc systems with densities reaching up to 800 fish m-3 and yield exceeding 12 kg m-3. But the density of 406 fish m-3 had a better efficiency in solid production by biomass.