Growth performances of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, reared in recirculating aquaculture and active suspension systems

Abstract

Recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) and active suspension aquaculture system (ASS) are rearing systems which are commonly used in aquaculture productions nowadays. This study aimed at comparing the growth performances of Nile tilapia cultured at the two aquaculture systems for 42 days. The measured parameters were growth rate, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, survival rate, and nutrient utilization (protein efficiency ratio, fat efficiency ratio, and energy efficiency ratio). The results showed that Tilapia reared in the RAS had significantly higher growth rate, weight gain, lower feed conversion ratio, and more efficiently in the utilization of protein, fat, and energy compared to tilapia reared in ASS. These results may indicate that the recirculating aquaculture system provided more comfortable environments for the tilapia for growth compared to the active suspension aquaculture system. However, another study in terms of economic perspective is still required, since the recirculating aquaculture system requires more rearing tanks and operational costs, especially from electricity.