The budget of nitrogen in the grow‐out of the Amazon river prawn (Macrobrachium amazonicum Heller) and tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum Cuvier) farmed in monoculture and in integrated multitrophic aquaculture systems

This work determined the nitrogen inputs, outputs and accumulation in compartments of stagnant earthen ponds for the monoculture and integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture (IMTA) of the Amazon river prawn (Macrobrachium amazonicum) and tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), using recycled hypereutrophic water. A completely randomized experiment was designed with four treatments and three replications: PM–monoculture with 30 prawns/m², FM ‐ monoculture with 3 fish/m², IMTA ‐ polyculture with 30 prawns/m² and 30 fish/m² free, POLY‐CAGE ‐ polyculture with 30 prawns/m² free and 40 fish/m³ in net‐cages. Animals, rain, water, feed, soil, gas, accumulated sludge, and suspended sediments were collected throughout the experiment to determine their nitrogen contents and to calculate the nitrogen budget. Results showed that much of the nitrogen available escapes to atmosphere as N₂ (~40%–56%) after denitrification or accumulated within bottom sludge (~14%–42%). The remaining nitrogen was converted in animal biomass (~5%–21%) or was discharged to receiving waterbodies in the outlet water (~11%–13%). Feed management appeared to influence the major biological processes in the aquatic nitrogen cycle, such as photosynthesis and denitrification. The fish‐prawn IMTA systems converted approximately 53%–75% of feed nitrogen into harvestable products, which is more efficient than the 19%–46% of feed nitrogen converted in the monocultures. However, a large amount of nitrogen is accumulated in the pond bottom in all systems. An increased prawn density or the addition of a mud‐feeder species to the culture may enhance the incorporation of this material in harvested biomass, improving the efficiency of the systems.     

Economic effects of production scale,use of agricultural greenhouses,and integration of tropical aquaculture species when farming in a subtropical climate

Fresh and local production of tropical fish species are growing in demand in subtropical and temperate regions. However, their productions are limited by the short growing season and uncertainty related to using agricultural greenhouses. Thus, this study evaluated the economic feasibility of Amazon River prawn (Macrobrachium amazonicum) and tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) grow-outs in monoculture and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems carried out in a subtropical region of Brazil, considering the transfer of the fish to agricultural greenhouses to complete the grow-out during the winter season. Simulations were performed of each system on small- (1 ha) and medium (5 ha)-sized properties to test the effects of production system and scale on cost return and cash flow, economic indicators, and sensitivity (risk) to productivity and market changes. Treatments were prawn monoculture (PRWN), tambaqui monoculture (FISH), IMTA of prawns and tambaqui reared free-swimming (IMTA), and IMTA of prawns reared free-swimming and tambaqui reared in net cages (CAGE). Harvested prawns were marketed for recreational fishing and the tambaqui is traded for the next grow-out phase after overwintering in greenhouses. Internal rate of return (IRR), net present value (NPV), payback period (PP), and benefit–cost ratio (BCR) showed economic feasibility for all systems, and shorter PP and greater profitability were observed with an increased size of the properties. In addition, the integrated systems showed resilience by remaining economically feasible when subjected to variations in productivity, major costs, and selling price. Further research should test the technical feasibility of producing tambaqui in greenhouses during the winter in colder climates.

     

Effects of C/N ratio and periphyton substrates on pond ecology and production performance in giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879) and tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) polyculture system

The production performances of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii and Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus in C/N‐controlled periphyton‐based polyculture systems were evaluated in triplicate. Three different management practices were compared: the traditional practice without addition of periphyton substrates and carbohydrate (Control), addition of maize flour to maintain a carbon: nitrogen rate of 20:1 (treatment CN) and addition of both maize flour and periphyton substrates (treatment CN+P). This experiment used a pre‐optimized stocking density of tilapia and freshwater prawn by Asaduzzaman et al. Aquaculture [286 (2009) 72]. All ponds were stocked with prawn (3 m²) and monosex Nile tilapia (1 m^?2). Bamboo side shoots were posted vertically into the pond bottoms as periphyton substrate covering an additional area of 171 m² for periphyton development. A locally formulated and prepared feed containing 17% crude protein with C/N ratio close to 15:1 was applied twice daily in all ponds considering the body weight of freshwater prawn only. Water quality parameters, except total alkalinity did not vary significantly (P > 0.05) among treatments. Both, organic matter and total heterotrophic bacterial loads (THB) in the sediment were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in treatment CN+P followed by treatment CN and control. Periphyton biomass in terms of dry matter and chlorophyll a values constantly decreased during the culture period. Substrates contributed 66% and 102% higher net yield of freshwater prawn than CN and control treatment respectively.     

The potential of mixed culture of genetically improved farmed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and freshwater giant prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in periphyton-based systems

The production performance of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus) and freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in periphyton‐based systems were studied in farmers' ponds at Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Fifteen ponds (200–300 m² area and 1.0–1.5 m in depth) were used to compare five stocking ratios in triplicate: 100% GIFT, 75% GIFT plus 25% prawn, 50% GIFT plus 50% prawn, 25% GIFT plus 75% prawn and 100% prawn. Ponds were stocked at a total density of 20 000 GIFT and/or prawn ha^?1. Bamboo poles (mean diameter 6.2 cm and 5.5 pole m^?2) were posted in pond bottoms vertically as periphyton substrate. Periphyton biomass in terms of dry matter (DM), ash‐free DM and chlorophyll a were significantly higher in ponds stocked with prawn alone than in ponds with different combinations of GIFT and prawn. Survival of GIFT was significantly lower in ponds stocked with 100% GIFT (monoculture) whereas, that of prawn was significantly higher in its monoculture ponds indicating detrimental effects of GIFT on prawn's survival. Individual weight gains for both species were significantly higher in polyculture than in monoculture. The highest total fish and prawn yield (1623 kg GIFT and 30 kg prawn ha^?1) over 125–140 days culture period was recorded in ponds with 75% GIFT and 25% prawn followed by 100% GIFT alone (1549 kg ha^?1), 50% GIFT plus 50% prawn (1114 kg GIFT and 68 kg prawn ha^?1), 25% GIFT plus 75% prawn (574 kg GIFT and 129 kg prawn ha^?1) and 100% prawn alone (157 kg ha^?1). This combination also gave the highest economic return. Therefore, a stocking ratio of 75% GIFT plus 25% prawn at a total density of 20 000 ha^?1 appeared to be the best stocking ratio in terms of fish production as well as economics for a periphyton‐based polyculture system.     

Effects of stocking density of freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii and addition of different levels of tilapia Oreochromis niloticus on production in C/N controlled periphyton based system

An on-station trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of stocking density of freshwater prawn and addition of different levels of tilapia on production in carbon/nitrogen (C/N) controlled periphyton based system. The experiment had a 2 × 3 factorial design, in which two levels of prawn stocking density (2 and 3 juveniles m^? 2) were investigated in 40 m² earthen ponds with three levels of tilapia density (0, 0.5 and 1 juveniles m^? 2). A locally formulated and prepared feed containing 30% crude protein with C/N ratio close to 10 was applied considering the body weight of prawn only. Additionally, tapioca starch was applied to the water column in all ponds to increase C/N ratio from 10 (as in feed) to 20. Increasing stocking density of tilapia decreased the chlorophyll a concentration in water and total nitrogen in sediment, and increased the bottom dissolved oxygen. The concentrations of inorganic nitrogenous species (NH₃–N, NO₂–N and NO₃–N) were low due to maintaining a high C/N ratio (20) in all treatment ponds. Increasing prawn density decreased periphyton biomass (dry matter, ash free dry matter, chlorophyll a) by 3–6% whereas tilapia produced a much stronger effect. Increasing stocking density of freshwater prawn increased the total heterotrophic bacterial (THB) load of water and sediment whereas tilapia addition decreased the THB load of periphyton. Both increasing densities of prawn and tilapia increased the value of FCR. Increasing prawn density increased gross and net prawn production (independent of tilapia density). Adding 0.5 tilapia m^? 2 on average reduced prawn production by 12–13%, and tilapia addition at 1 individual m^? 2 produced a further 5% reduction (independent of prawn density). The net yield of tilapia was similar between 0.5 and 1 tilapia m^? 2 treatments and increased by 8.5% with increasing stocking density of prawn. The combined net yield increased significantly with increasing stocking density of prawn and tilapia addition. The significantly highest benefit cost ratio (BCR) was observed in 0.5 tilapia m^? 2 treatment but freshwater prawn density had no effect on it. Therefore, both stocking densities (2 and 3 juveniles m^? 2) of prawn with the addition of 0.5 tilapia m^? 2 resulted in higher fish production, good environmental condition and economic return and hence, polyculture of prawn and tilapia in C/N controlled periphyton based system is a promising options for ecological and sustainable aquaculture.     

Effects of stocking density on production and economics of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) polyculture in periphyton-based systems

The present research investigated the effect of stocking density on pond (75 m², depth 1.2 m) production of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) stocked at a fixed 3:1 tilapia:prawn ratio. Three stocking densities were tried in triplicate: 20 000 ha⁻¹ (treatment TP‐20), 30 000 ha⁻¹ (TP‐30) and 40 000 ha⁻¹ (TP‐40). The ponds were provided with bamboo as substrate for periphyton development. Bamboo poles (mean diameter 5.5 cm and 5.0 poles m⁻²) were posted vertically into pond bottoms, resulting in 60% additional substrate area in each pond. On average, 43 genera of algae and 17 genera of zooplankton were identified from pond water, whereas 42 genera of algae and six genera of microfauna were attached to bamboo substrates. No differences were observed between treatments in the ash‐free dry matter (AFDM), chlorophyll a and phaeophytin a content of periphyton (P>0.05). Survival of tilapia and prawn and individual weight gain of tilapia were lower (P<0.05) in treatment TP‐40. The net yields were higher (P<0.05) in treatments TP‐30 (2209 and 163 kg ha⁻¹ 105 day⁻¹ of tilapia and prawn respectively) and TP‐40 (2162 and 141 kg ha⁻¹ of tilapia and prawn respectively) than in treatment TP‐20 (1505 and 136 kg ha⁻¹ of tilapia and prawn respectively). The net tilapia yields were quadratic correlated (R²=0.92) with fish stocking density. The cost–benefit analysis shows that the net profit margin was highest in treatment TP‐30 (69%), followed by TP‐20 (50%) and TP‐40 (44%).     

Effects of Two Densities of Caged Monosex Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, on Water Quality, Phytoplankton Populations, and Production When Polycultured with Macrobrachium rosenbergii in Temperate Ponds

The effects of different densities of caged Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, on water quality, phytoplankton populations, prawn, and total pond production were evaluated in freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, production ponds. The experiment consisted of three treatments with three 0.04‐ha replicates each. All ponds were stocked with graded, nursed juvenile prawn (0.9 ± 0.6 g) at 69,000/ha. Control (CTL) ponds contained only prawns. Low‐density polyculture (LDP) ponds also contained two cages (1 m³; 100 fish/cage) of monosex male tilapia (115.6 ± 22 g), and high‐density polyculture (HDP) ponds had four cages. Total culture period was 106 d for tilapia and 114 d for prawn. Overall mean afternoon pH level was significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) in polyculture ponds than in CTL ponds but did not differ (P > 0.05) between LDP and HDP. Phytoplankton biovolume was reduced in polyculture treatments. Tilapia in the LDP treatment had significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) harvest weights than in the HDP treatment. Prawn weights were higher (P ≤ 0.05) in polyculture than prawn monoculture. These data indicate that a caged tilapia/freshwater prawn polyculture system may provide pH control while maximizing pond resources in temperate areas.     

Growth,survival, body composition and amino acid profile of Macrobrachium borellii against the limitation of feeds with different C:N ratios with comments about application in integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture

One way to attain more sustainable aquaculture systems is through the species diversification and optimization of the feed input, such as obtained by integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture (IMTA). Macrobrachium borellii is a native freshwater prawn that reunites many useful features to be implemented in an IMTA. The aim of this study was to gather information about to which extent M. borellii can survive, grow and maintain body composition against feed limitation. The C:N ratios of feedstuffs were variable in order to simulate a hypothetical scenario of an integrated culture with fish of different trophic habits. The nutritional aspects (amino acid profile and proximal composition) of feeds and prawns were also analysed. Macrobrachium borellii could grow, survive and maintain the proximal content and C:N ratio of its muscle tissue with all feedstuffs but exhibited higher biomass gain and specific growth rate consuming feeds with lower C:N ratios. In this view, the integration of this prawn with omnivore or carnivore fish species should be recommended. The amino acid profile exhibited little variation before and after the experimental period, and was rich in lysine, leucine and arginine. In this study, it was also discussed the nutritional aspects of M. borelliii as a valuable by‐product to human and animal nutrition.     

Culture of organic tilapia to market size in periphyton‐based ponds with reduced feed inputs

In fish production under organic standards, only organic feeds and manures can be supplied. The cost of organic pelleted feeds is twice that of regular feeds. To support the organic production of hybrid tilapia [Oreochromis niloticus (L.) ×Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner)], a series of experiments in earthen ponds, to improve natural food production for this fish while reducing costs of added feed, are in progress. To improve natural food production for tilapia, plastic substrates equivalent to 50% of the pond surface were introduced into the water column to induce periphyton growth on them. To reduce costs, the feeding rate on pelleted feed was reduced to 60%. Tilapia growth in these periphyton ponds was then compared with ponds without underwater substrates that received the full feed rate. The polyculture consisted of 90% large (320 g stocking weight) hybrid tilapia and small amounts of other fish, at a total stocking density of 13 800 fish ha^?1, during 87 summer days. The results showed improved nitrification and the development of a large autotrophic periphyton biomass that competed with the phytoplankton in the periphyton ponds, and only a 10% and 15% reduction, respectively, in the tilapia daily and specific growth rates, with 40% feed saving. These results point towards periphyton‐based aquaculture as an appropriate technology for the reduction in production costs, allowing economically viable organic tilapia production.     

Physical and chemical characteristics of sediments in catfish, freshwater prawn and carp ponds in Thailand

Sediment samples were collected from 42 catfish (Clarias hybrid) ponds, 40 freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) ponds and 18 carp (Puntius spp.) ponds in Thailand. Regression analysis revealed that pond age (1–30 years) was not a major factor influencing the physical and chemical composition of pond sediments. Sediment depth, F+S horizon thickness and bulk density of S horizon were greater (P<0.05) in carp ponds than in catfish and prawn ponds. This occurred because sediment was removed from catfish and prawn ponds more frequently than from carp ponds. Total carbon, organic carbon and total nitrogen concentrations were greater (P<0.05) in carp ponds than prawn and catfish ponds. Few ponds had sediment organic carbon concentrations above 3%, and carbon:nitrogen ratio values did not differ (P>0.05) among ponds for the three species. Total phosphorus and other sediment phosphorus fractions increased in the order prawn ponds, carp ponds and catfish ponds. Sediment sulphur concentrations also increased in the same order. There were no differences in major or minor nutrient concentrations in sediment that would influence aquacultural production. Although there were significant correlations (P<0.05) between various sediment quality variables, no single variable or group of variables would be useful in estimating sediment quality. Pond bottom management practices used by producers in Thailand included drying of pond bottoms between crops, liming, tilling and periodic sediment removal. These practices have maintained relatively good bottom quality. They should be continued in Thailand and adopted in other places.     

The effects of periphyton substrate and fish stocking density on water quality, phytoplankton, periphyton and fish growth

The objectives of this study were to determine how periphyton and phytoplankton biomass vary with grazing pressure by tilapia Oreochromis niloticus, to evaluate the growth performance of fish when substrate is introduced and to calculate the efficiency of nitrogen utilization in substrate and non‐substrate systems. Ten circular 1000‐L plastic tanks were filled with 15 cm of loamy soil bottom and water. Five different treatments were applied: eight tilapias with substrate (treatment 8T/S), eight tilapias without substrate (treatment 8T), four tilapias with substrate (treatment 4T/S), four tilapias without substrate (treatment 4T) and no tilapia with substrate (treatment 0T/S). Each week, 2 g of NaNO₃ and 3.5 g of single superphosphate (SSP) were applied to each tank. Sixteen glass slides (1 m×4 cm×4 mm) were installed vertically in the tank bottom, one portion extending above the water surface and equally spaced within the water column in all substrate tanks. Periphyton and phytoplankton quantity and quality, water quality, fish growth and proximate fish composition were measured. Because of grazing, phytoplankton and periphyton biomass decreased after the introduction of fish to the tanks. The periphyton biomass was higher in non‐fish tanks (treatment 0T/S) throughout the experiment than that in tanks with fish (treatments 8T/S and 4T/S). The periphyton biomass was similar in the 4T/S and 8T/S treatments, suggesting that the grazing pressure on periphyton biomass reached threshold levels. Fish ate 25–36% of the total standing biomass every day. Tilapia growth was significantly higher in treatments with substrate. Nitrogen retention was double in substrate ponds compared with in control ponds. There were no significant effects of periphyton substrate or fish density on body composition of fish.     

The potential of periphyton-based culture of two Indian major carps, rohu Labeo rohita (Hamilton) and gonia Labeo gonius (Linnaeus)

The effects of periphyton, grown on bamboo substrates, on growth and production of two Indian major carps, rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton) and gonia, Labeo gonius (Linnaeus), were studied at the Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. For each species, five ponds were provided with bamboo substrates and five ponds without substrate (control). Ponds were stocked at a rate of 10 000 ha^?1 in both treatments. There was no discernible difference in water quality parameters between treatments. A large number of plankton (39 genera) showed periphytic nature and colonized the bamboo substrates. Rohu grew faster, resulting in a 77% higher net production (P < 0.05) in the ponds with bamboo substrates compared with the ponds without substrate. In contrast, the growth and production of gonia did not vary significantly (P > 0.05) between the substrate and control ponds. Rohu seems to be a more suitable candidate for periphyton‐based aquaculture systems than gonia.     

Effects of Stocking Size and Density of Tilapia on Macrobrachium rosenbergii in Polyculture

Studies were conducted to determine the effect of stocking size and density of prawns in polyculture.
In one experiment, postlarval prawns (av. wt. 0.02 g) were stocked in six 0.02 ha earthen ponds at 35,00O/ha. Two ponds were stocked with tilapia fry (av. wt. 0.14 g) and two were stocked with tilapia fingerlings (av. wt. 30.1 g), each at 10,000/ha. Two control ponds had no tilapia. Tilipia stocking size had no effect on prawn growth. Mean weight of prawns after 70 days of culture ranged from a low of 4.5 g when cultured with tilapia fingerlings to a high of 6.6 when cultured in monoculture. Prawn survival was adversely affected by tilapia fry. Average prawn survival in tilapia fry ponds was 65% compared to 75% and 91%, respectively, in tilapia fingerling and monoculture ponds.
In a second experiment, postlarval prawns were stocked in nine 0.02 ha earthen ponds at 40,000/ ha. Six ponds were stocked with 30 g tilapia fingerlings, three at 5,000/ha and three at 15,000/ha. Three control ponds received prawns only. After 100 days of culture, prawn weight ranged from an average of 15.9 g in monoculture ponds to 11.5 g in polyculture ponds. Survival was highest (93.8%) in low density polyculture ponds. Survival was lowest (85.6%) in prawn monoculture ponds. Tilapia reproduction had a negative impact on shrimp production.     

Development of nursery culture techniques for the mud crab Scylla paramamosain (Estampador)

Cannibalism is one of the main causes of mortality in the culture of the mud crab Scylla paramamosain, particularly in the early post‐larval and juvenile stages when the densities of hatchery‐reared crabs may be very high before stocking into ponds or release into the wild for stock enhancement. In a series of experiments investigating cannibalism mitigation, the influence of stocking density, the effectiveness of sand substrate, brick and shell shelters and feed type were compared in culture of crabs from instar 1 for short nursery periods of 15–30 days. Inclusion of brick and shell shelters significantly increased survival over sand substrate alone. However, inclusion of shelters did not affect growth rates. In scaled‐up nursery production in lined‐ponds, with shelters, live Artemia biomass and fresh chopped shrimp or tilapia were found to be equally effective feeds for juvenile crabs stocked at a density of 70 m⁻² from instar 1 and grown for 30 days [52–66% survival, 21.6–24.6 mm carapace width (CW)]. In an extended nursery period for a further 30 days, crabs of 22 mm CW, stocked at 30 m⁻² in the same ponds, attained a final size of 34.5–36.2 mm CW with a survival of 64.3–67.0% using the same feeds.     

Experimental Evaluation of the Halophyte,Salicornia virginica,for Biomitigation of Dissolved Nutrients in Effluent from a Recirculating Aquaculture System for Marine Finfish

The ability of the halophyte, Salicornia virginica, planted in drainage lysimeters to biomitigate dissolved nutrients in effluent from a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for marine finfish was evaluated. Seawater effluent from a RAS producing black sea bass, Centropristis striata (filtered to reduce total suspended solids), was used as irrigant. Plant growth and dissolved N and P removal were determined as a function of leachate fraction (LF%) – that is, proportion of irrigant that leaches from the plant‐substrate lysimeter. Lysimeters were irrigated weekly to produce 30, 40, and 50% LF. A control (unplanted) lysimeter was included at the 30% LF. Plant growth was excellent in all LF% treatments until Day 141 when salt buildup in the lysimeter substrate inhibited nutrient uptake. Salt accumulation was mitigated at higher LF%, so that plant biomass and net removal (μg) of dissolved N and P by the p‐s lysimeter remained higher (P < 0.05) at the 40 and 50% than at the 30% LF. On Day 141, percent removal efficiency at the 50% LF was 79.2% for inorganic N and 73.9% for total phosphorus. Through Day 355, substrate salinity was minimized and plant biomass and nutrient removal were maximized at the 50% LF. S. virginica is an effective biofilter for dissolved nutrients in effluent from an RAS for marine finfish.     

Production of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii Stocked at Different Densities in Polyculture Systems in Brazil

Abstract.— The effect of stocking prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii at increasing densities in ponds with Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus reared at low density was evaluated. Twelve 0.01-ha earthen ponds were stocked with 1 tilapia/m² and 0, 2, 4, or 6 postlarvae prawn/m². Three replicates were randomly assigned to each prawn density. Postlarval prawns were stocked a week prior to tilapia juveniles and both were harvested 175 d after the beginning of the experiment. Tilapia final average weight, survival, production, and food conversion rates did not differ significantly among treatments ( P > 0.05); the averages were 531 g, 67%. 3,673 kg/ha, and 1.91, respectively. Prawn survival rates did not differ for the three stocking densities (mean 90%). However, final weight and production were significantly different ( P < 0.05) as follows: 34.0, 23.0, and 14.7 g and 639, 909, and 818 kg/ha, respectively for 2. 4, and 6 prawns/m² densities. Stocking densities up to 6 prawn/m² did not affect tilapia production and required neither additional feeding nor significant changes in management. The polyculture system allowed an increase in total production with the same amount of supplied feed, thus improving the system sustainability.     

Assessment of pollutant loads discharged from aquaculture ponds around Taihu Lake,China

China is the world's largest producer of aquatic animals, and the Taihu Lake area is one of the most important contributors within China. To obtain the basic information needed to minimize environmental impacts of aquaculture, the water quality and volume of effluents from 48 ponds used for raising crab, shrimp, river prawn, black carp, grass carp and turtles near Taihu Lake were monitored, and their pollutant loads were estimated. Effluent volumes ranged from 12.7 ± 1.7 (crab) to 50.9 ± 15.8 (turtle) thousand tons ha^?1 year^?1. The concentration of pollutants in the effluents often exceeded acceptable limits for Taihu Lake. Crab ponds produced the lowest gross loads of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids, whereas turtle ponds produced the highest. The net loads of monitored pollutants comprised only 4–53% of the gross loads in crab ponds, but > 50% in other species ponds. Results indicate that the pollutant loads discharged from aquaculture ponds around Taihu Lake are mild, but precautions are still needed to treat the wastewater. Connecting the ponds in series with crab ponds downstream is a feasible way to decrease pollutant loads.     

Comparative performance of hatchery-reared and wild Scylla paramamosain (Estampador, 1949) in pond culture

The performance of hatchery‐reared juveniles either in aquaculture grow‐out systems or stock enhancement is likely to be dependent on a range of factors during the hatchery phase of production. With recent progress in the development of hatchery systems for the mud crabs Scylla spp., there is growing interest in evaluation of the quality of hatchery‐reared juveniles relative to wild seed crabs as currently used in aquaculture. Hatchery‐reared and wild‐collected Scylla paramamosain juveniles were stocked either together in ponds or separately. All crabs were tagged with microwire‐coded tags, so that origin could be determined in the mixed groups. Preliminary validation demonstrated that tagging did not affect survival or growth, with a tag retention of 94%. After 106 days of culture, there was no significant difference in survival at harvest between the two sources of crabs. The wild juvenile crabs had a significantly higher initial weight:carapace width (CW) ratio compared with those from the hatchery, indicating a difference in condition. However, where crabs were stocked separately, the hatchery‐reared animals exhibited significantly faster growth than those collected from the wild, both in terms of specific growth rate and CW increase per month. However, in the mixed ponds, where there was competition with wild crabs, there was no significant difference in growth rate between crabs from the two sources. Overall, the results demonstrate that the growth performance of hatchery‐reared S. paramamosain can at least equal that of wild‐collected seed crabs in ponds culture.     

Use of planted biofilters in integrated recirculating aquaculture‐hydroponics systems in the Mekong Delta,Vietnam

The feasibility of using planted biofilters for purification of recirculated aquaculture water in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam was assessed. The plant trenches were able to clean tilapia aquaculture water and to maintain good water quality in the fish tanks without renewal of the water. NH₄‐N was removed efficiently in the plant trenches, particularly in the trenches with Canna glauca L., probably because of plant uptake and nitrification–denitrification. Plant uptake constituted 6% of N and 7% of P in the input feed. Approximately 1.0 m³ of water was needed per kg of fish produced, and 370, 97 and 2842 g fresh aboveground biomass of Ipomoea aquatica Forssk., Lactuca sativa L. and C. glauca, respectively, were produced. The leafy vegetables provide some extra income besides fish products, whereas C. glauca provides nice flowers and contributes to a significant nutrient removal with annual uptake rates of 725 kg N and 234 kg P ha^?1 year^?1. This research demonstrates that integrated recirculating aquaculture‐hydroponics (aquaponics) systems provide significant water savings and nutrient recycling as compared with traditional fish ponds.     

The effect of choice of targeted market,production scale,and land tenure on the economics of integrated tilapia-prawn production

Integrated aquaculture systems have the potential to enhance the environmental sustainability of aquaculture production, if economically feasible. Data from integrated tilapia-prawn production trials were used to develop economic-engineering enterprise budgets for ponds with and without substrate that targeted two different types of markets, using two production scales and two forms of land tenure. Inclusion of substrate increased investment and fixed costs and decreased net returns. Recreational markets (live tilapia for fee fishing and live prawns as bait) were profitable, but sales to supermarkets were not. Production scale and land tenure affected economic outcomes with increased pond size and leasing ponds demonstrating greater profitability. Results provide evidence of the need to carefully evaluate economic trade-offs associated with varying commercial-scale applications to increase the likelihood of adoption of new technologies.