Comparative assessment of biomass production in wish pond and wish pond-aquaponics system

The research was conducted for 120 days from 01 March 2019 to 30 June 2019 at Saver, Doshaid the peri-urban area near Dhaka city. The objective of the study was to assess the growth performances of tilapia and vegetable production in the wish pond and wish pond-aquaponics systems. The initial length and weight of tilapia juvenile (Oreochromis niloticus) of 5.17±0.14 to 5.15±0.12cm and 3.24±0.30 to 3.35±0.13g were stocked at the rate of 200 fish/m3 pond area in wish pond aquaponics and wish pond system, respectively. The Brinjal, chilli and mint were planted in both wish pond and wish pond-aquaponics systems. A commercial floating pellet feed of 30% protein was fed the fish at the rate of 5% body weight twice daily. Both the wish pond-aquaponics and wish pond waster was aerated with air pump and stones. The wish pond-aquaponics water was filtered through the vegetable media but wish pond water was not such filtration system rather partial water change was done in each month. The survival rate and total production of fish were higher (89.17±3.82%, 34.88±2.22 tons/ha/120 days) in wish pond-aquaponics system than the wish pond system (76.67±2.08, 26.33±0.87 tons/ha/120 days). Moreover, the vegetables production was also found higher in wish pond-aquaponics system (Brinjal 40.97±5.25, Chilli 9.54±0.84 and Mint 12.81±1.22) than the wish pond system (Brinjal 30.58±2.06, Chilli 7.92±0.16 and Mint 10.08±0.29). Water quality and nutrient utilization was comparatively better in wish pond-aquaponics system as the water was filtered by brick lets and plant roots and nutrients utilized by the plants which was absent in wish pond system. Therefore, the wish pond-aquaponics system performed better than the wish pond system and proved the system is environmental friendly and sustainable.