Performance of juvenile Pangasianodon hypophthalmus cultivated in a recirculating aquaculture system with tanks of different colors

Abstract

The tanks used in RASs can be manufactured in any color. RAS tank color can have a great influence on fish, with direct impacts on food capture and, consequently, performance and survival. This study investigated the influence of different tank colors on the performance and coloration of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. Juvenile were cultivated in tanks of different colors (white, blue, and black) for 60 days.One hundred and forty-four juvenile P. hypophthalmus, weighing 2.18±0.5 g and measuring 6.76±0.17 cm in total length, were distributed among three RASs. Each RAS was equipped with a 200-liter rectangular filter, with mechanical and biological filter, a heating and water pumping system and four 30-liter tanks covered with colored adhesive (white, blue or black) that were filled with 28 liters of water. Therefore, each RAS was considered a color treatment (white, blue or black) with four replicates (tanks), which had a density of 0.43 juveniles per liter (12 juveniles in each replicate). Juveniles cultivated in darker tanks exhibited darker coloration. Juveniles cultivated in blue tanks showed higher final weight (FW), total length (TL), and weight gain (WG) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR). Juveniles cultivated in white tanks had lower TL and higher FCR. In conclusion, P. hypophthalmus juveniles performed better when cultivated in blue tanks.