• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.418-425
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• 2021

The effects of an aquaponic system based on biofloc technology (BFT-AP) were analyzed for eel Anguilla japonica as aquaculture species and caipira Lactuca sativa as the cultivated crops. The rate of weight gain rate by the eels was 178% (BFT-AP 200 head) > 136% (BFT-AP 100 head) > 100% (BFT). The eel body weight in the BFT-AP (200 head) significantly increased when compared to the BFT only eel group (P<0.05). The weight of the upper layer of caipira was 91±8.5 g (200 head) > 90±8.9 g (100 head) > 48±8.3 g (Hydroponic crop, HP). The crop growth in all BFT-AP groups was higher than the control, the hydroponic group. The total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and NO₂^--N concentrations decreased in the BFT-AP group when compared to the BFT group. It was possible to remove nitric acid from the aquaponics system and reuse it as eel rearing water. Although some nutrient concentrations were low in BFT when compared to HP, the nutrient concentration was sufficient for plant growth. The results show that BFT has the potentially to provide a sustainable aquaponic system.