Polyculture of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and the Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) Under Various Conditions in the ASTAF-Pro Aquaponic System

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Recently, scientists have examined and recommended the use of aquaponics to integrate a combination of aquatic animals, fish, and invertebrates as a viable, sustainable approach to maximize the use of nutrients and water resources in food production. The present study was conducted to assess the effects of the polyculture monosex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and freshwater crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) in the ASTAF-PRO aquaponic system on growth performance and body composition for three months. The tilapia and crayfish were reared in monoculture and in polyculture, being separated and combined in the same tanks. The results indicated that there was a significant increase (P< 0.05) in the final weight and final length of fish cultured with crayfish without separation in comparison to the other treatments. No mortality was observed during the whole course of the experiments, neither in monoculture nor polyculture (with or without separation) (SR = 100%). Moreover, there was a significant increase in the final weight and final length of crayfish that were cultured with the monosex Nile tilapia in all treatments. At the end of the experiment, moisture content and crude protein reached their highest when fish were reared without separation, whereas crayfish showed no significant differences between variables in all treatments. 

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