Journal of Environmental Biology

Growth performance, physiological response, and economic viability of Anabas testudineus reared in an airlift biofloc aquaculture system

J. Hussain, P.S. Prathib, D. Sarma*, A.K. Singh and V. Kima       

Division of Aquaculture, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai- 400 061, India

Received: 30 March 2026                   Revised: 03 June 2026                   Accepted: 24 July 2026

*Corresponding Author Email : debajit@cife.edu.in                    *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2425-7017

Abstract

Aim: The study evaluates the feasibility of an airlift biofloc aquaculture system (ABAS) by assessing the welfare parameters of Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792) and the economic analysis of the system.

Methodology: The experiment was conducted for 90 days in 1500 litre capacity FRP tanks. The design included a control with six diffusion air stones and a treatment with six airlift pumps, each in triplicate. Growth, water quality, haematological parameters, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase), and stress indicators (cortisol and glucose) were evaluated. Economic performance was assessed using BEP, ROI, and BCR for A. testudineus culture in ABAS.

Results: ABAS outperformed the diffusion-aerated biofloc system, achieving higher dissolved oxygen (6.4 mg l^-1), biofloc volume (7.8 m l l^-1), and growth, including specific growth rate (3.58% day^-1), feed conversion ratio (0.95), weight gain (1931.5%), and biomass production (10.46 kg m^-3). Lower haematological, antioxidant and stress indicators indicated reduced physiological and oxidative stress. Economic analysis showed greater profitability, with BEP (1.69 kg), ROI (68.75%) and BCR (1.69) than the control.

Interpretation: Under the experimental conditions, ABAS improved the growth performance, water quality, stress-related biomarker responses, and economic returns compared with the control. These findings highlight its potential as a sustainable approach for A. testudineus culture.

Key words: Aeration, Airlift pump, Anabas testudineus, Biofloc, Sludge management

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