Periphyton Growth on Three Bio-substrates and Its Influence on the Performance of Jaraqui (<i>Semaprochilodus insignis</i>)

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted using plant substrates viz. bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris), ambay (Cecropia pachystachya) and leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) without and with fish to evaluate their suitability for periphyton development, and influence on water quality and growth performance of jaraqui (Semaprochilodus insignis). In the first experiment of 45 days, carried out with only the substrates, periphyton growth and water quality were assessed, while in the second experiment of 120 days fish growth was monitored, in addition to periphyton development and water quality. The best growth of periphyton was observed on bamboo, followed by ambay and leucaena. Bamboo grown periphyton had the highest chloropyll-a (39.59 µg/cm 2 ) and protein (24.42%) content. All the water quality parameters monitored were within the limits suitable for aquaculture. Fish of av. length 6.5±0.15 cm and av. wt. 5.83±0.23 g stocked at a density of 1 per m 2 attained the best final av. length of 11.23±0.69 cm and av. wt. of 34.34±2.05 g in bamboo installed tanks, indicating its superiority as a substrate. Jaraqui growth was higher by 76.65, 53.55 and 25.41% in bamboo, ambay and leucaena treatments over the control with no substrate.

Effects of different substrates on the growth and composition of periphyton in the low saline groundwater system

“…The results from this study prove that even under low saline groundwater conditions, bamboo substrate has better periphyton growth compared to the other substrates used in this study. The periphyton quality assessment based on chlorophyll a observed in low saline groundwater was found to be on par with the chlorophyll a values observed from different studies in freshwater [19], and the higher values of chlorophyll a were reported in bamboo [28] (Table 2) as it was observed in the present study with higher periphyton growth in bamboo substrate compared to the other substrates. In contrast, Richard et al [8] have reported higher levels of dry matter and chlorophyll a on meshed substrates (mosquito net and garden net) than on smooth substrate (wood and plywood).…”

Perikphyton Growth on Two Different Bamboo Substrate Models for Its Use in Aquaculture

“…The substrates (rice straw and kanchi) added to the pond significantly increases fish production and did not negatively affect water quality; therefore, the treatments with substrates were better than the treatment without a substrate (control). Keshavanath et al (2017) conducted two experiments using plant substrates viz. bamboo, Bombay and Leucaena without and with fish to evaluate their suitability for periphyton development, and their influence on water quality and growth performance of Karachi (Semaprochilodus insignis).…”

“…Fish/prawn culture is enhanced by fertilization, substrate introduction or biofuels technology. (Keshavanath et al 2017) Periphyton production in ponds is enhanced through the provision of substrate, such as bamboo poles. Wahab et al (1999) reported that yields of calabash, Labeo calabash (Hamilton),were 80% higher in ponds using bamboo substrates as compared to the control ponds without substrate.…”