Oreochromis niloticus aquaculture with biofloc technology, photoautotrophic conditions and Chlorella microalgae

In this manuscript (Part I), the zootechnical performance of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) culture during the nursery and grow‐out phases using biofloc technology (BFT) with three photoautotrophic pathway treatments (Chlorella spp., M; Chlorella sorokiniana 2,805, CS; and Chlorella sorokiniana 2,714, CV) was evaluated using high protein feed (40.6%) at a C:N ratio of 7.69:1. Two additional treatments were included as controls: a chemoautotrophic (Q) treatment with a C:N ratio of 7.69:1 and a heterotrophic (H) treatment with a C:N ratio of 13:1. Differences in growth and weight gain were observed among the photoautotrophic treatments and Q and H treatments (p 50.9%) and crude lipid (>23.1%) levels were not significantly different among treatments (p > .05). For the Q treatment, the highest crude protein (42.6%) and crude lipid (1.1%) levels in biofloc were observed during the nursery phase (p