Evaluation of a pilot sustainable aquaculture module

Resumen

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an alternative feed throughout the production cycle of a sustainable aquaculture system using basa fish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) approximately three months of age.

Design/methodology/approach: The study was conducted during the Fall–Winter 2023–2024 period in the municipality of Paso de Ovejas, Veracruz, in collaboration with a partner aquaculture production unit that provided the necessary conditions for implementation of the experimental protocol. The assessed variables included the nutritional characterization of the formulated alternative feed and morphometric parameters (length, width, and weight) of the cultured organisms. In addition, systematic water quality monitoring was conducted, incorporating key physicochemical indicators essential for optimal species development. Three thousand fish were used per treatment and in the control group, with a stocking density of six organisms per cubic meter.

Results: The alternative feed exhibited a moderately high protein content (21.6%), which corresponded to an approximate 100% increase in body weight relative to initial biomass. Water quality parameters remained within acceptable ranges for the cultivation of this species, thereby supporting appropriate animal welfare conditions. No significant differences were observed between the treatment and control groups.

Limitations/implications: A primary limitation was the difficulty of inducing basa fish reproduction under ex situ conditions, as this species requires specific environmental factors that are challenging to replicate outside its natural habitat.

Conclusions: Incorporating alternative feeds into sustainable aquaculture systems can achieve performance comparable to commercial diets while reducing production operating costs by up to 25%.