The effect of feed residues on the quality of aquatic environment in circulating aquaculture systems of african catfish (Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822))

Purpose. To study the peculiarities of relationships between the aquatic environment and the extruded feed residues in the circulating aquaculture systems intended for growing Clarias gariepinus, and changes in the concentrations of inorganic nitrogen compounds and phosphorus phosphates. Methodology. The object of study is the quality of the aquatic environment when modeling the food load in accordance with feeding standards of different age groups of Cl. gariepinus. Water quality in experimental tanks was determined by analytical methods. Findings. It was found that the intake of extruded feed residues into the aquatic environment leads to a deterioration in its quality due to an increase in the concentration of compounds of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus of phosphates, which negatively affects the vital activity of Cl. gariepinus. Nitrification processes are activated under conditions of sufficient dissolved oxygen content in the environment. The overload of the aquatic environment with organic matter promotes the bacterial transformation processes of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, which are characterized by the predominance of the ammonification process and the suppression of oxidative processes. Upon completion of the mineralization of the excess organic matter, the appearance of a sufficient amount of dissolved oxygen activates ammonium oxidation and intensifies nitrification process. The leading factors in the ammonification and nitrification processes in an environment saturated with organic matter include the dissolved oxygen content, which regulates the activity ratio of anaerobic amonifying and aerobic nitrifying microflora. Optimum aeration in Cl. gariepinus cultivation systems is determined not only by the direct physiological needs of fish, but also by the need to maintain a sufficient content of dissolved oxygen to ensure nitrification processes. Originality. The study investigated the effect of the food load on the quality of aquatic environment in the circulating aquaculture systems for Cl. gariepinus rearing. Practical value. The study results can be used to optimize Cl. gariepinus growing methods in circulating aquaculture systems with adjustable parameters at high stocking densities.