Multiple use systems for aquaculture

Authors

J. M. Henderson, Brigham Young University
R. A. Heckmann, Brigham Young University
R. N. Winget, Brigham Young University

Abstract

Two recirculating aquaculture systems were constructed using a sequence of five tanks each. Each system contained two plant species, duckweed (Lemna minor) and Chinese water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis); two fish species, channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and tilapia (Tilapia aurea); and a freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii). Duckweed production during the 132-day experiment reached as high as 87.2 tons/hectare/year (t/ha/yr). Water chestnut production was not successful in the restricted light situation of the lab, but in an outdoor test planting, corn production was 37.2 t/ha/yr. Four feeding trials were attempted using the following percent of fish body weight: 2.5% commercial feed; 5% wet duckweed; 15% wet duckweed; and 15% wet duckweed with 1% commercial feed. Feed to flesh conversion ratios averaged 1.97:1 for the three control tanks and 1.44:1 overall for the treatment tank. The fish-fed duckweed and commercial feed grew as well or better than those fed commercial food alone.

Recommended Citation

Henderson, J. M.; Heckmann, R. A.; and Winget, R. N. (1984) "Multiple use systems for aquaculture," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 44: No. 3, Article 12.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol44/iss3/12