Policultivo de juveniles de pacú (Piaractus mesopotamicus) y sábalo (Prochilodus lineatus) en un sistema acuapónico

J.J. Santinón; D.R. Hernández; F.J. Ruiz Díaz; J.A. Comolli; D.M Cerdán; A.O. González

doi:10.30972/vet.3719290

Authors

J.J. Santinón Instituto de Ictiología del Nordeste, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Argentina. Cátedra de Producciones no Tradicionales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Argentina. Cátedra de Acuicultura, Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Formosa, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3373-8717
D.R. Hernández Instituto de Ictiología del Nordeste, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Argentina https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8375-3021
F.J. Ruiz Díaz Instituto de Ictiología del Nordeste, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3403-6533
J.A. Comolli Instituto de Ictiología del Nordeste, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Argentina. Cátedra de Producciones no Tradicionales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Argentina https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9732-4698
D.M Cerdán Cátedra de Acuicultura, Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Formosa, Argentina https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2703-4231
A.O. González Instituto de Ictiología del Nordeste, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Argentina. Cátedra de Producciones no Tradicionales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7278-6558

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30972/vet.3719290

Keywords:

aquaponics, native species, recirculating systems, sustainable production, fish growth

Abstract

The aquaponic system represents a sustainable production alternative that integrates fish farming and vegetable cultivation in a single water circuit, optimizing resource use and reducing environmental impact. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance of an aquaponic polyculture system composed of juveniles of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) and sabalo (Prochilodus lineatus), combined with the hydroponic cultivation of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), based on growth, survival, and water quality parameters. The trial was conducted over 51 days in four independent modules, each consisting of a fish tank (700 L), a 200 L solids settler (clarifier), a 100 L biological filter, and hydroponic growing channels for plants (4 m²). The results showed adequate performance of pacu, with a specific growth rate (SGR) of 1.61-2.16% day^-¹, survival of 96.67-98.33%, and final biomass ranging from 9.05 to 11.09 kg per module. In contrast, sabalo showed limited growth (SGR: 0.13-0.34%/day), survival rates above 94%, and final biomass between 1.43 and 1.57 kg per module. Lettuce production reached 5.66-8.52 kg per module, with higher yields in module 2. Water physicochemical parameters remained within adequate ranges for both fish species, although moderately elevated levels of ammonium and nitrite were detected, without negative effects on survival. It is concluded that aquaponic polyculture with pacu and sabalo is viable and sustainable, with pacu standing out for its adaptability and growth. Adjustments in species proportions and feeding regime are recommended to optimize sabalo performance, as well as future studies to evaluate the economic feasibility of the system.

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