Tilapia culture in earthponds is a traditional method of breeding this fish, but water consumption is high in this ponds. So, considering limited water resources in many areas prone to tilapia culture, it is preferred to planning culture in indoor ponds. In the present study, brackish water quality factors of indoor tilapia culture, also growth performance of the cultured tilapia were investigated in indoor tanks.
Tilapia studies in Iran were begun since 2008 and different aspects of tilapia aquaculture are researched. In the recent years, some central areas of the country are permitted to culture tilapia. In the present study, brackish water quality factors of indoor tilapia culture, also growth performance of the cultured tilapia were investigated in indoor tanks. Monosexed red tilapia Oreochromis sp. were stocked. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity and ammonium concentration were measured. Pearson 2-tailed correlation between the amounts of factors including temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and ammonium with length and weight of fish in ponds showed a direct significant correlation between the length and weight of the fish body with each other, the amount of salinity against pH, salinity against total length and body weight. Also, there was a reversed significant correlation between the amount of dissolved oxygen against water temperature, pH and the total length of the fish. Tilapia culture in earthponds is a traditional method of breeding this fish, but water consumption is high in this ponds. So, considering limited water resources in many areas prone to tilapia culture, it is preferred to planning culture in indoor ponds. Indoor tilapia culture systems such as tank culture, biofloc and aquaponic systems are more suitable for tilapia production, especially in areas with limited water resources and high evaporation. These methods makes possibility of producing tilapia with higher density and low water consumption with environmental considerations.