Growth Performance and Feed Conversion Efficiency of the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in a Greenhouse Aquaponic System coupled with Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Under Moroccan Conditions

RHARRHOUR, Haytam; Jaziri, Hassane; Yahyaoui, Ahmed; WARIAGHLI, Fatima

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2025.433939.6872

Growth Performance and Feed Conversion Efficiency of the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in a Greenhouse Aquaponic System coupled with Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Under Moroccan Conditions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Laboratory Biodiversity, Ecology and Genome, Research Center Plant and Microbial Biotechnology,Biodiversity and Environment, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat 10100, Morocco

10.21608/ejabf.2025.433939.6872

Abstract

This study evaluates the growth performance and feed conversion efficiency of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) cultivated in a greenhouse aquaponic system associated with lettuce (Lactuca sativa) under Moroccan climatic conditions. The system consists of an 800L polyethylene fish tank integrated with a dual hydroponic unit (NFT and DWC) operating in a closed recirculating loop. Eighty juvenile tilapias (initial weight = 4.5 ± 0.3g; length = 6.7 ± 0.4cm) were reared for 50 days at an average water temperature of 28.6°C. Results showed a tenfold increase in body weight, reaching 47.4 ± 4.2g and 14.0 ± 1.1cm in length. The specific growth rate (SGR) was 4.71 % day⁻¹, and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) averaged 0.44, indicating excellent feed utilization. The daily weight gain reached 0.86g day⁻¹, and the survival rate was 93.8%. Water quality parameters (DO > 90 %, EC = 1.48 mS cm⁻¹, TDS = 725 ppm) remained within optimal ranges for both fish and plants. These findings confirm the technical feasibility and biological efficiency of integrating tilapia with lettuce in a recirculating greenhouse aquaponic system, supporting its potential as a sustainable food production model for semi-arid urban regions.

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