Author(s): Henk Maarten Laane* , K C Shukla, Cees Van Stee and P Patel
Since 2017, research has been conducted into the effects of (mono-)silicic acid (product: AB SiliFish®) on fish and shrimp.
The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of stabilized silicic (sSA) on the growth, yield and survival of four fish species: Rohu, Catla, Tilapia and Pangasius in 0.5 ha freshwater ponds for 240 to 360 days.
In addition, two forms of applications and two dosages were investigated: a. application of silicic acid to the pondwater and b. mixing the product with fish feed using two dosages.
Water quality was monitored using physico-chemical analyses and the effects on other aquatic organisms, such as phytoplankton and zooplankton, were analysed.
The results showed that growth, survival, feed utilisation and yield of all four fish species increased significantly with both application types, while mixing the product with fish feed at a dosage of 2 ml/kg was higher compared to application in pond water.
Physicochemical parameters were also improved, while plankton abundance increased significantly.
It is concluded that SATA (Silicic Acid Technology for Aquaculture) significantly increased yields of many fish species compared to controls, as well as water quality.
SATA has no negative effects on fish or water quality and is an environmentally friendly technology that reduces the carbon footprint.
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