APPLICATION OF BIOFLOC TECHNOLOGY IN INTENSIVE FARMING AFFECTED PRODUCTION AND BLOOD PERFORMANCES OF THE CATFISH [Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)]

Abstract

The biofloc technology can control water quality under negligible water exchange. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of stocking density on production and blood performance of catfish (Clarias gariepinus [Burchell, 1822]). The catfish were reared in biofloc system (heterotrophic bacteria and addition of sugar for a period of 10 wk and used three levels of density i.e. (500, 1 000, and 1 500) fish per m2. The production increased with the increasing of stocking density, relative growth rate decreased with the increasing of that. The stocking density of 1 500 fish per m2 on the biofloc technology can support maximum catfish production, health and proper water quality. Keywords: Biofloc technology, catfish [Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)], growth, intensive, production