Evaluation of water quality, growth performance, feed efficiency and survival of Labeo rohita (Rohu) and Carassius auratus (Gold fish) in a recirculating aquaponics system

Abstract

In the face of limited resources, a growing global population, climate change, and an increasing demand for organic food, sustainable agricultural practices have become imperative. Aquaponics, an integrated system combining aquaculture and hydroponics, holds promise as a potential solution to address these challenges. This study involved a 60-day experiment conducted within a recirculatory aquaponics system (RAS), allowing for the efficient reuse of water and nutrients. In this study two species of fish were studied, the ornamental goldfish (Carassius auratus) and the popular food fish, rohu (Labeo rohita). The results revealed significant enhancements in the growth and clarity of the water when goldfish were incorporated into the treatment groups, as compared to the control. On the other hand, rohu fish showed promising growth in the treatment systems compared to control. Additionally, the study evaluated the water quality parameters in the fish rearing tanks, which continually provide optimum conditions for the growth of plants and fish. The findings highlight the potential of aquaponics as a resource-efficient and environmentally friendly method for producing a variety of foods.