Finger millet as a carbon source for biofloc, improved growth performance of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) fingerlings

Abstract

A 90-days experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of biofloc produced with different carbon sources on growth performances, survival and body indices of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fingerlings (average body weight: 6.4±0.05 g). The different carbon sources used in the experiment employing biofloc technology (BFT) were BFT-T (tapioca), BFT-S (sorghum), BFT-PM (pearl millet), BFT-FM (finger millet) and clear water with no addition of carbon source was treated as control. At the end of the experiment, significantly (p<0.05) higher weight gain (24.34±0.50 g), Specific growth rate, SGR (1.37±0.02% day-1); Feed efficiency ratio, FER (0.47±0.01); Protein efficiency ratio, PER (1.47±0.03) and lower Feed conversion ratio, FCR (2.12±0.03) were witnessed in the group where finger millet was used as a carbon source (BFTFM) and significantly lower responses were noticed in the control (CW). Results showed that there were no significantdifferences (p>0.05) in hepatosomatic index and viscerosomatic index of fish between the different experimental groups. During the termination of the experiment, no mortality was seen among the different experimental groups. Based on the results acquired from this study, finger millet could be used as an ideal carbon source for biofloc to augment the growth and productivity of P. hypophthalmus under farming.

Water budgeting for culture of Penaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) in earthen grow‐out ponds using inland saline groundwater

“…For reducing the use of freshwater and increasing the use of saline groundwater, various technologies like aquaponics using freshwater (John et al, 2022; Nuwansi et al, 2017, 2020, 2021; Shete et al, 2013, 2015, 2017) and aquaponics using saline groundwater (Thomas et al, 2019, 2021) for various fish in aquaculture. Furthermore, the biofloc technology is also aimed at reducing the use of water for aquaculture (Ahmad et al, 2019; Ezhilarasi et al, 2019; Nageswari et al, 2020, 2022).…”

Haematological, serum biochemical and anti‐oxidative enzymes responses of sutchi catfish ( Pangasianodon hypophthalmus ) against Aeromonas hydrophila using various carbon sources in biofloc system

“…The biofloc‐based aquaculture production technique is sustainable, cost‐effective and environment friendly via reduced water usage and artificial feeding besides improving water quality and producing biofloc as feed for fish (Avnimelech & Kochba, 2009; Widanarni et al, 2012). Bioflocs or microbial flocs enhance growth, tonicity and immunostimulation; help in attaining maturation of aquatic animals and possess anti‐stress, sexual stimulation and anti‐pathogenic properties in culture species (Daniel & Nageswari, 2017; Ezhilarasi et al, 2019; Nageswari et al, 2020). The immunostimulatory property of biofloc mainly depends on the choice of organic carbon source being used as an external carbon input to maintain proper C/N ratio for water quality management as well as microbial protein development.…”