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¹ National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Inland Water Branch, Hydrobiology Department, El- Kanater El khayria, Egypt
² Matrouh University, Faculty of Education, Marsa Matrouh, Egypt DOI : 10.4194/1303-2712-v21_10_02 Viewed : 1994 - Downloaded : 1629 This study aimed to enhance Nile Tilapia growth using Chlorella vulgaris as a food additive in the biofloc system. Different concentrations of C. vulgaris were tested in four different treatments compared to control. The growth rate of Nile tilapia was parallel with C. vulgaris addition to the treatments. The best productive value (growth performance) for Nile Tilapia was recorded in T1 that was distinctly superior to the other treatments. The use of C. vulgaris in the biofloc system decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) values; whereas the most significant value was observed at T1. Phytoplankton structure in Nile Tilapia gut was predominated with C. vulgaris representing 67.7% of the total phytoplankton crop. Statistical analysis also approved that the most important factor affecting Nile Tilapia growth was C. vulgaris addition, and some other chemical variables that affect phytoplankton`s growth such as PO4. In addition, muscle protein ratio of Nile Tilapia increased with increasing C. vulgaris concentrations. Our data concluded that increasing C. vulgaris concentration improved the growth performance of Nile Tilapia under the biofloc condition. Keywords : Phytoplankton, Growth performance, Nile tilapia, Physico-chemical variables