The flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus) is a species found in marine/estuarine environments that represents a hydrobiological resource with potential for aquaculture due to its rusticity and ability to adapt to various environmental conditions.
The implementation of biofloc technology (BFT) for low trophic level species represents an alternative to promote the environmentally responsible growth of aquaculture.
An experiment was conducted over 87 days comparing the intestinal morphometry (villi height and villi thickness) of juvenile Mugil cephalus in two treatments, each with three replicates: T1 water exchange (50% 3 times/week with no carbon source addition) and T2: BFT with the addition of chancaca as a carbon source to maintain a C/N ratio of 15:1. A total of 103 individuals with an average weight and length of 122.47 ±4.79 g and 19.64 ±0.39 cm, respectively, from the natural environment were acclimatized to controlled conditions. At the end of the experiment, 10% of the population from each experimental unit was sacrificed for gut morphometry analysis. Intestinal samples were fixed in buffered formalin (10%), followed by paraffin embedding and obtaining 4 µm sections on a microtome. Sections were stained using the hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) technique. Evaluation of villi length and thickness was conducted by microscope observation using electronic images.
The results revealed that Mugil cephalus reared in biofloc exhibited significantly greater villi length and lesser thickness (p < 0.05) compared to those in the water exchange group. Furthermore, the BFT environment culture led to notable changes in intestinal mucosa, characterized by an increase in villi height. These findings suggest that Biofloc Technology has the potential to enhance intestinal integrity and health in cultured fish, thereby facilitating nutrient assimilation.