Aeration has long been utilized in commercial shrimp, tilapia, and ictalurid catfish production in ponds. However, there is limited evidence of its value in producing air-breathing fish species. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of aeration on the nursery production of hybrid catfish (Heteroclarias: Clarias gariepinus ♀ × Heterobranchus longifilis ♂) under limited water exchange conditions. The trial was conducted at CHI Farms in Aiyepe, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria, over a 31-day period. A total of 32,000 juvenile hybrid catfish, with an initial mean weight of 6.8g, were stocked into eight indoor circular plastic tanks (4,000 L capacity), divided into two treatment groups: (1) routine water exchange (control), and (2) aeration combined with limited water exchange (aerated). Growth performance and survival data were analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT).
The results indicated no significant differences between treatments in growth rate, specific growth rate (SGR), or feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, survival rates were significantly higher in the aerated group (96.87%) compared to the control group (90.43%) (p < 0.05). Water quality, particularly dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH, remained more stable in the aerated treatment, with DO levels averaging 4.04 mg/L in the morning and 2.69 mg/L in the evening in the aerated tanks, compared to 0.31 mg/L in non-aerated tanks. Despite higher unionized ammonia levels in the aerated tanks, no adverse effects on fish health were observed.
A cost analysis revealed that while aeration incurred additional energy costs, savings were achieved through reduced water exchange, leading to no significant difference in total production costs per unit between the aerated group (₦72.74 ± 4.11) and the control group (₦70.18 ± 6.84). In conclusion, aeration improved survival and stabilized water quality but did not significantly enhance growth performance or FCR. Further research is recommended to optimize nitrogen cycling in aerated systems and explore alternative energy sources to reduce the cost of aeration.