Efficiency of Utilizing the Nile Tilapia and Catfish Aquaculture Wastewater in Enhancing Growth Performance of the Freshwater Prawns (Macrobrachium lanchesteri)

Freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium lanchesteri) play a vital role in aquaculture and aquatic ecosystems. This study investigates the use of wastewater from the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and catfish (Clarias gariepinus) aquaculture to improve water quality and enhance the growth performance of freshwater prawns. The 30-day experiment, conducted at the Basic Science Laboratory, PSDKU UB, Kediri Campus, monitored water quality parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, temperature, total suspended solids) and assessed prawn growth (weight gain, specific growth rate, survival rate, and condition factor). Results showed that prawns in the Tilapia Wastewater group exhibited the highest median weight gain (2.1 g), significantly outperforming both the Control (1.0 g) and Catfish Wastewater (1.75 g) groups (P < 0.05). The specific growth rate (SGR) was also higher in the Tilapia Wastewater group (350.0), compared to the Control (226.9) and Catfish Wastewater (318.2) groups (P< 0.05). Positive correlations were observed between ammonia (0.588), nitrite (0.285), and nitrate (0.929) levels and prawn growth. These findings suggest that the integration of aquaculture wastewater, particularly from tilapia farming, can significantly improve prawn growth and survival. By optimizing nutrient recycling and microbial interactions, this approach reduces reliance on freshwater and promotes environmental sustainability in aquaculture systems. The study highlights the potential for wastewater reuse in enhancing aquaculture productivity and sustainability, offering an eco-friendly solution for commercial aquaculture operations.