LARVICULTURA DE TILÁPIA-DO-NILO (Oreochromis niloticus) EM TECNOLOGIA DE BIOFLOCOS (BFT)

Abstract

Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is the main fish species farmed in Brazil and one of the most produced worldwide. Its adaptability to different production systems and efficient feed conversion make it a key species in aquaculture. Biofloc technology (BFT) has gained prominence for its sustainable approach, with reduced water exchange and reuse of organic matter through microbial aggregates that can also serve as a food source. Although BFT has shown promising results in later production stages, there is limited information regarding its application during the early rearing phase. This review addressed the species' biological characteristics, fundamentals of biofloc systems, and environmental parameters related to Nile tilapia production under different farming systems. The literature indicates that BFT can improve water quality and enhance production performance. To complement these findings, an experiment was conducted comparing the initial rearing of Nile tilapia in BFT and recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for 30 days. Both systems maintained adequate levels of dissolved oxygen, temperature, and pH. However, BFT showed greater efficiency in managing nitrogenous compounds, with lower concentrations of nitrite and ammonia and higher levels of nitrate and alkalinity. Fish reared in BFT also exhibited better zootechnical performance (P