Biofloc Technology in Aquaculture

A special issue of Fishes (ISSN 2410-3888). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Aquaculture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 January 2025) | Viewed by 9208

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Marine Aquaculture Station, Federal University of Rio Grande—FURG, Rua do Hotel, nº 02, Rio Grande 96210-030, RS, Brazil
Interests: shrimp production in BFT systems; integrated multi-trophic aquaculture; aquaculture and its environmental impacts

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aquaculture production is essential to meet the increasing protein demands of the world's population in the coming decades. Technological advances are essential to increase productivity in order to guarantee food security, reduce poverty and minimize possible environmental impacts. In this sense, production in bioflocs systems allows for increased productivity, reduced water use, greater biosecurity and a lower production of effluents that are released into the environment. There are still a series of topics that must be studied to improve the production of fish and shrimp, among other organisms, with bioflocs. In this way, we invite researchers to contribute their original research, reviews, case studies and/or recent progress/scenarios on the production of aquatic organisms with bioflocs.

Dr. Luís Henrique da Silva Poersch
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fishes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • aquaculture in BFT systems
  • improvement of immunity
  • biofloc and fertilization
  • TSS control in BFT systems
  • nutrient management in BFT systems
  • energy production from bioflocs
  • role of microorganisms in the BFT system
  • IMTA and bioflocs
  • denitrification processes

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

18 pages, 1331 KiB  
Article
Economic Analysis of Red Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) Production Under Different Solar Energy Alternatives in a Commercial Biofloc System in Colombia
by Daniel Leonardo Cala-Delgado, Jesaías Ismael da Costa and Fabiana Garcia
Fishes 2024, 9(12), 505; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9120505 - 11 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1245
Abstract
The study investigates the economic aspects of red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) production using biofloc technology under different electrical energy sources. Conducted at the El Vergel Fish Farming Association in Arauca, Colombia, the study examines four energy treatments: conventional energy (CE), combined conventional [...] Read more.
The study investigates the economic aspects of red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) production using biofloc technology under different electrical energy sources. Conducted at the El Vergel Fish Farming Association in Arauca, Colombia, the study examines four energy treatments: conventional energy (CE), combined conventional and photovoltaic energy (CPVE), full photovoltaic energy (PVE), and simulation of photovoltaic energy generating surplus for nighttime use (PVES). The water quality and zootechnical performance met the species requirements, with dissolved oxygen decreasing as fish size increased. The PVE treatment had the highest initial investment due to solar panels and battery costs, but it also had the lowest operating energy costs. However, the overall costs of the PVE treatment increased due to depreciation and maintenance. Feed was the largest production cost, followed by labor in most treatments, while depreciation was a major cost for the PVE treatment. The total operating cost (TOC) of the photovoltaic energy systems (PVE and PVES) was lower compared to that of conventional energy (CE), with PVES showing the highest cost savings. The reduction in energy costs highlights the potential for solar energy systems to enhance the economic viability of aquaculture production, making these systems a favorable option for sustainable production in the long term. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofloc Technology in Aquaculture)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 1377 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Predominantly Chemoautotrophic Versus Heterotrophic Biofloc Systems on Nitrifying Bacteria, Planktonic Microorganisms, and Growth of Penaeus vannamei, and Oreochromis niloticus in an Integrated Multitrophic Culture
by Raysa Pâmela Oliveira Sena, Dariano Krummenauer, Wilson Wasielesky, Jr., Otávio Augusto Lacerda Ferreira Pimentel, Aline Bezerra, Jorge Renato Tagliaferro dos Santos Junior, Andrezza Carvalho, Elisa Ravagnan, Andrea Bagi and Luis H. S. Poersch
Fishes 2024, 9(12), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9120478 - 26 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1286
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of predominantly chemoautotrophic and heterotrophic biofloc systems on ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), and planktonic microorganisms in an integrated Penaeus vannamei and Oreochromis niloticus integrated multitrophic culture. Shrimp and tilapia were stocked [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of predominantly chemoautotrophic and heterotrophic biofloc systems on ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), and planktonic microorganisms in an integrated Penaeus vannamei and Oreochromis niloticus integrated multitrophic culture. Shrimp and tilapia were stocked at a density of 400 shrimp m−2 and 45 fish m−3, respectively. The trial consisted of two biofloc treatments, with three replicates each: chemoautotrophic and heterotrophic. The identification and quantification of the planktonic microorganisms (ciliates, flagellates, microalgae, and total bacteria) and nitrifying bacteria were carried out through direct counting and fluorescence in situ hybridization, respectively. At the end of the trial, heterotrophic treatment had resulted in higher total abundance of bacteria. The relative abundance of AOB and NOB in relation to the total abundance was less than 0.1% for both treatments. The system was dominated by flagellates in both treatment groups. The abundance of microalgae and ciliates was higher with chemoautotrophic treatment. After 43 days, the shrimp weights were higher in the chemoautotrophic group, while the final weights of the tilapia were not significantly different between the two treatments. The type of biofloc system (Chemoautotrophic vs. Heterotrophic) did not significantly alter the establishment of AOB and NOB in a Penaeus vannamei and Oreochromis niloticus integrated multitrophic culture. The two treatments proved to be equally efficient for maintaining good water quality, but the chemoautotrophic treatment resulted in better shrimp growth. Thus, our study demonstrated that chemoautotrophic biofloc is a promising approach in integrated multitrophic aquaculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofloc Technology in Aquaculture)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 693 KiB  
Article
Effects of Stocking Density of the River Shrimp Cryphiops caementarius on Physiological and Performance Responses in a Biofloc System
by Carlos Andres Mendez, María Cristina Morales and Katherina Brokordt
Fishes 2024, 9(10), 377; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9100377 - 25 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 980
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of biofloc technology (BFT) and clear water (CW) on water quality physiological and productive performance of juvenile freshwater Northern River shrimp, Cryphiops caementarius under three stocking densities (100, 200, and 400 shrimp m−2 [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of biofloc technology (BFT) and clear water (CW) on water quality physiological and productive performance of juvenile freshwater Northern River shrimp, Cryphiops caementarius under three stocking densities (100, 200, and 400 shrimp m−2). Shrimp with an initial body weight of 0.44 ± 0.07 g were stocked in 18 rectangular fiberglass tanks with a water volume 150 L for 290 days. During the experiment, water quality parameters stayed within acceptable ranges for shrimp growth. The highest survival rate was recorded in BFT treatments; however, the growth performance of shrimp in the treatments with the lowest stocking density was higher than that with the highest stocking density, regardless of whether BFT or CW was used. Transcriptional levels of heat shock protein (Hsp70) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between treatments, particularly in BFT. These results indicate that an initial stocking density of 200 shrimp m−2 appears to be appropriate for shrimp juveniles cultured in a BFT system. Thus, this technology emerges as an effective tool for river shrimp farmers looking to increase their stocking densities and improve the efficiency of their production systems in arid zones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofloc Technology in Aquaculture)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 7253 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Artificial Substrate and Carbon Source Addition on Bacterial Diversity and Community Composition in Water in a Pond Polyculture System
by Kun Guo, Mumin Shi, Xiaoli Huang, Liang Luo, Shihui Wang, Rui Zhang, Wei Xu, Guoliang Ruan and Zhigang Zhao
Fishes 2024, 9(3), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9030080 - 20 Feb 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2187
Abstract
The use of artificial substrates and biofloc technology can favor fish culture and improve water quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether artificial substrates and carbon source additions modify the microbial activity of water bodies. The diversity and structure of [...] Read more.
The use of artificial substrates and biofloc technology can favor fish culture and improve water quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether artificial substrates and carbon source additions modify the microbial activity of water bodies. The diversity and structure of microflora in the water after adding artificial substrates and carbon sources to the ponds were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing based on the V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA genes. The results showed that there was no difference in the richness and diversity of intestinal microflora between the control and experimental groups. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) showed that artificial substrate and carbon source addition changed the structure of the microflora. The results of a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LefSe) indicated 11 biomarkers in the EGˍst group. Spearman correlation heatmap analysis showed that environmental factors affected the bacterial communities, and the results of a redundancy analysis indicated that chemical oxygen demand was a critical factor in controlling the bacterial communities in the water. These results provide an understanding of the effect of artificial substrate and carbon source addition on bacterial diversity and community composition in water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofloc Technology in Aquaculture)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

18 pages, 568 KiB  
Review
Using BioFloc Technology to Improve Aquaculture Efficiency
by Gennady Matishov, Besarion Meskhi, Dmitry Rudoy, Anastasiya Olshevskaya, Victoria Shevchenko, Liliya Golovko, Tatyana Maltseva, Mary Odabashyan and Svetlana Teplyakova
Fishes 2025, 10(4), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10040144 - 22 Mar 2025
Viewed by 737
Abstract
In the present study, literature information on the functioning of the biofloc technology (BFT) system, its components, the state of the organism of hydrobionts, and water quality is analyzed. It is shown that this technology allows reducing financial costs for water treatment by [...] Read more.
In the present study, literature information on the functioning of the biofloc technology (BFT) system, its components, the state of the organism of hydrobionts, and water quality is analyzed. It is shown that this technology allows reducing financial costs for water treatment by 30%, increasing the efficiency of protein assimilation in the feed composition by two times, and creating a high-protein substrate, which can be further used as a component of feed for aquaculture. The BFT contains a large number of microorganisms, including photoautotrophic microorganisms (algae), chemoautotrophic microorganisms (nitrifying bacteria), and heterotrophic microorganisms (fungi, infusoria, protozoa, and zooplankton). This technology contributes to the improvement in water quality, aquaculture productivity, and hydrobionts. Despite the higher initial costs, BFT can yield higher economic profits. In this paper, the authors summarize data from many recent studies devoted to BFT. Based on the analysis of a number of studies, it can be concluded that this technology has a high potential for scaling up in industrial aquaculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofloc Technology in Aquaculture)
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 310 KiB  
Review
The Effectiveness of Biofloc Technology and Its Application Prospects in Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) Aquaculture: A Review
by Haoran Xiao, Shufeng Li, Zitong Wang, Ye Tian, Qiwei Zuo, Fenglin Tian, Yongjie Wang, Chong Zhao and Jun Ding
Fishes 2024, 9(11), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9110457 - 10 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1776
Abstract
This review aims to advance the development of biofloc technology (BFT), providing more sustainable and efficient practices for the farming of the Japanese sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus). BFT is a sustainable aquaculture method that promotes nutrient recycling and effective carbon source [...] Read more.
This review aims to advance the development of biofloc technology (BFT), providing more sustainable and efficient practices for the farming of the Japanese sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus). BFT is a sustainable aquaculture method that promotes nutrient recycling and effective carbon source management, offering significant advantages such as improving water quality, enhancing growth performance, and boosting the physiological activity and disease resistance of cultured animals. In A. japonicus farming, the optimal carbon source is glucose, and the ideal carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio ranges between 15 and 20. Microbial additives, such as the Bacillus species, have been shown to enhance biofloc formation and growth, as well as the immune responses in A. japonicus. However, the technology also faces limitations, including finding suitable biofloc culture protocols that match the physiological habits of A. japonicus and potential challenges with biofloc stability under varying environmental conditions. Based on existing research, this review discusses these limitations in the farming of A. japonicus. Additionally, it compares biofloc farming models for other economically important aquatic species. By addressing these key aspects, this review offers insights to enhance BFT performance, ultimately contributing to more efficient and sustainable A. japonicus aquaculture practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofloc Technology in Aquaculture)
Back to TopTop