Description

Abstract: Feeding of attached microorganisms and detrital biomass (AMDB) by Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was examined in two 8-week experiments conducted in outdoor concrete tanks. Although the addition of vertically placed plastic baffles and bamboo poles did not significantly increase net fish yield, differences in AMDB in tanks with and without fish clearly demonstrated AMDB was ingested by tilapia. Tilapia feeding behavior and gut analyses supported this conclusion. Because of similarities between fish and algal productivities in tanks with and without additional substrates, however, the added financial and labor costs do not warrent (sic) the use of plastic baffles or bamboo poles in static water tilapia culture systems.