IoT Systems Integration for Zootechnical and Aquatic Environment Optimization in Semi-Intensive Red Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) Culture

Oreochromis spp., a widely cultured species in tropical aquaculture systems, requires stable environmental conditions and continuous monitoring to achieve optimal productivity. This study evaluated the impact of three levels of IoT-based technological implementation on production performance and water quality during a 60-day intensive culture period. Three treatments were established: T1 (manual monitoring), T2 (IoT sensors without automation), and T3 (automated IoT system with aeration control, water recirculation, and real-time alerts). Physicochemical parameters—including temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, total ammonia, and turbidity—were monitored alongside zootechnical variables such as weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and survival rate. The T3 treatment demonstrated superior water quality, with significantly lower levels of ammonia (0.19 ± 0.03 mg/L) and turbidity (9.1 ± 1.4 NTU), and higher concentrations of dissolved oxygen (5.60 ± 0.24 mg/L) compared to T1. Productive performance was also the highest in T3, with an average weight gain of 221.9 ± 11.7g, an SGR of 2.78 ± 0.10%/day, and a survival rate of 97.8 ± 1.5%. In terms of operational efficiency, the automated IoT system (T3) exhibited an average response time of 2.3 minutes to critical events and detected environmental alarms at a higher frequency (approximately 2.9 alerts/day), indicating improved sensitivity and responsiveness. These findings conclude that IoT-based automation significantly enhances operational efficiency, stabilizes aquatic ecosystems, and improves production performance in intensive Oreochromis farming systems. The integration of sensors, distributed logic, and real-time monitoring emerges as a strategic innovation for promoting a more resilient, sustainable, and technologically advanced aquaculture sector.