Fish species selection and rearing in underground brackish water aquaculture are characterized by special opportunities and problems. A number of variables, including as growth rate, disease resistance, salt tolerance, and general adaptability to regulated settings, must be taken into account in order to get optimal performance. The fish species listed below are excellent candidates for brackish water aquaculture, along with some selection and breeding guidelines.
Suitable Fish Species:
Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.)
Tilapia, particularly Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), is a widely farmed species in aquaculture due to its adaptability to various environmental conditions, including brackish water. Here are the key aspects of tilapia farming in brackish water:
Adaptation:
- Tilapia are native to freshwater environments in Africa but have been introduced to many parts of the world. They are euryhaline, capable of surviving in a wide range of salinities.
- They can thrive in Salty water with salinities up to 15 parts per thousand (ppt), though optimal growth is typically seen at lower salinities.
- Optimal salinity for tilapia ranges from 0 to 10 ppt. While they can tolerate higher salinities, growth rates may decrease beyond this range.
- The optimal temperature range is 25-30°C. Tilapia are sensitive to temperatures below 20°C, which can stress the fish and impact growth and survival.
Advantages:
Robust disease resistance, quick growth rates, and high tolerance to varied salinity levels.
Breeding Focus:
In water circumstances, select for quicker growth rates and better salinity tolerance.
Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)Or Asian Seabass:
Advantages:
The Asian Seabass has several advantages over barramundi, including high market demand, fast growth rate and good adaptation to low Salinity water less than Sea Water(High Salinity).
Breeding Focus:
- Pay attention to genetic lines that exhibit better health and growth in systems with large densities of aquaculture.
- Improve disease resistance and optimize growth performance in controlled environments.
- They are euryhaline, meaning they can tolerate a wide range of salinities, from freshwater to seawater. This makes them well-suited for brackish water aquaculture.
- Brackish water ponds or coastal lagoons are ideal for farming Asian seabass. The site should have good water exchange, stable salinity, and minimal pollution.
- Optimal salinity ranges from 10 to 25 parts per thousand (ppt), with water temperature between 28-32°C. Dissolved oxygen levels should be maintained above 5 mg/L.
Fishing:
Fish are typically harvested when they reach market size, around 500 grams to 1 kilogram. Harvesting methods include netting and draining ponds.
Harvesting:
Post-harvest handling involves chilling and transporting fish to processing facilities. The fish can be sold fresh, frozen, or processed into fillets and other products.
Milkfish (Chanos chanos):
Benefits:
Hardy, well adapted to brackish water, and extensively cultivated in Southeast Asia.
Breeding Focus:
Milkfish are found in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean. They inhabit warm, tropical, and subtropical waters. They thrive in coastal areas, estuaries, and lagoons, often entering freshwater rivers and lakes. Juveniles are commonly found in mangroves and coastal wetlands. Increase feed conversion efficiency and growth rates.
Milkfish is one of the most important species in aquaculture, particularly in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
Production:
- Farming methods vary from traditional extensive systems to modern intensive systems, and the fish are often fed with algae and formulated feeds.
- Milkfish is a popular food fish due to its mild taste and firm texture. It is consumed fresh, dried, smoked, or processed into various products.
Mullet (Mugil spp.):
Mullets are important in both commercial and recreational fishing. They are also known for their roe, which is considered a delicacy in many cultures. These fish are typically caught using nets, and their meat is often smoked, dried or salted.
Flathead Grey Mullet (Mugil cephalus):
- Habitat: Found in estuarine and coastal waters worldwide, particularly in the Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Indian Ocean.
- Appearance: Similar to the striped mullet with a robust, silvery body, but with a flattened head and distinct horizontal stripes.
- Size: Can grow up to 2 feet in length and weigh around 6-8 pounds.
- Diet: Primarily feeds on algae and detritus.
- Advantages: Crucial to conventional brine water aquaculture, adaptable to a range of salinities.
–Breeding Focus: Choose for improved feed utilization and quicker development.
Pompano (Trachinotus spp.):
Advantages: These are very valuable species that can adapt well to brine water. Pompano species are highly prized in recreational and commercial fishing due to their delicious taste and fighting ability when hooked. They are often sought after by anglers and are also a popular choice in seafood cuisine.
Indian Pompano (Trachinotus blochii):
- Habitat: Found in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean.
- Appearance: Silvery body with a compressed shape and forked tail. It has a more pronounced hump on its back compared to other pompano species.
- Size: Can reach up to 3 feet in length.
- Diet: Eats small fish, crustaceans, and plankton.
- Introduction: Pompano species have boosted disease resistance and growth efficiency.
Breeding Factors to Take Into Account:
Salinity Tolerance:
- Choose and cultivate individuals who show a high level of resistance to Saline water circumstances.
- To improve salinity tolerance qualities, use genetic markers and selective breeding.
Growth Rate:
- Pay attention to breeding plans that prioritize quick growth and effective feed conversion.
- Use crossbreeding strategies to blend desired features from various strains or species.
Disease Resistance:
- Use selective breeding to develop increased resistance to common aquaculture parasites and illnesses.
- Employ biotechnological techniques and genetic selection to find and cultivate strains that are resistant to illness.
Environmental Adaptability:
- Select species that are able to adjust to the restricted and fluctuating settings that are characteristic of aquaculture systems located underground.
- Include resilience evaluations and stress tests in the breeding program.
Reproduction and Lifecycle:
- Verify that the chosen species’ captive breeding cycles and reproductive habits are reasonable.
- Improve breeding practices to increase fry survival and hatchery success rates.
Feed Efficiency:
- To cut expenses and promote sustainability, go for better feed conversion ratios.
- Pay attention to animals that can consume a variety of meals, including prepared feeds.
Steps in Implementation:
Site Assessment:
Carefully examine the subterranean water supply to determine its salinity levels, purity, and other pertinent factors.
Species Selection:
Choose the fish species that will work best in the aquaculture system based on the market demand and water quality.
Breeding Program Development:
- Create a breeding program that emphasizes the essential features that have been discovered (e.g., growth rate, disease resistance, and salinity tolerance).
- Work together with specialists in aquaculture and genetics to apply cutting-edge breeding methods.
Pilot Testing:
- To evaluate the performance of particular species and strains in real aquaculture settings, conduct small-scale pilot tests.
- Keep a careful eye on production, health, and growth to collect information for optimization.
Scaling Up:
- After the pilot program yields positive results, expand the business while continuing to monitor and enhance the breeding program.
- Adopt best practices for managing aquaculture to guarantee lucrative and sustainable operations.
- Sustainably produced fish with optimal performance can be obtained by careful species selection and breeding for subterranean Salt water aquaculture.