Animal Science and Food Technology

Optimising growth and physiological performance of carp in polyculture within an integrated multitrophic aquaculture system

Olena Honcharova, Vitaliy Bekh, Iryna Kononenko, Olesia Okhrimenko
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Abstract

The study aimed to determine the impact and evaluate the effectiveness of technological factors in producing a synergistic effect during the feeding and rearing of juvenile cyprinids. The research was conducted using theoretical, experimental, and laboratory methods in fisheries science. The findings indicated that the inclusion of alternative protein sources (Spirulina platensis, Artemia, and Hermetia illucens) within an Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (IMTA) system significantly enhanced growth performance and reduced dependence on conventional feeds. The cultivation of all components within a single IMTA framework ensured optimal control over both qualitative and quantitative parameters throughout the production cycle. The results demonstrated improved viability in juvenile cyprinids and enhancement of blood composition in experimental Groups A and B. However, Group B exhibited the most pronounced improvements in both qualitative and quantitative parameters, characterised by increased homeostatic regulation and enhanced haematopoiesis. Improvements in haematological profiles, body weight, and muscle tissue composition were closely correlated with elevated protein and carbohydrate metabolism and accelerated ontogenetic development. Fish in the experimental groups displayed superior indicators of mass accumulation and metabolic processes (WG, FCR, HSI, VSI). A strong positive correlation was recorded in experimental Groups A and B: body weight ↔ protein in the muscle tissue (R² = 0.8-0.9); cholesterol in the blood ↔ fat in the muscle tissue (R² = 0.8-0.7). In experimental Group A: a higher red blood cell count (RBC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MСН) were recorded in the blood of carp Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) (p ≤ 0.05). In the blood of carp Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) from Group B: RBC, MСН, total protein and creatinine content (p ≤ 0.05) and haemoglobin (Hb) (p ≤ 0.01) exceeded those of the control group. In the blood of silver carp hybrid Hypophthalmichthys molitrix / Hypophthalmichthys nobilis of Group B: RBC, Hb, total protein and creatinine content (p ≤ 0.05) also exceeded the control group. The most favourable biochemical composition of muscle tissue was recorded in fish from experimental Groups A and B

Keywords

feeding; cultivation; cyprinids; physiological and biochemical processes; multitrophicity; recirculation systems

Suggested citation
Honcharova, O., Bekh, V., Kononenko, I., & Okhrimenko, O. (2025). Optimising growth and physiological performance of carp in polyculture within an integrated multitrophic aquaculture system. Animal Science and Food Technology, 16(4), 28-46. https://doi.org/10.31548/animal.4.2025.28
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