What is BIOFloc and How it helps in High-Density Fish Farming

Let’s first understand what is BIOFloc? BIOFloc is a colony of heterogeneous microorganisms, such as bacteria, algae, fungi, detritus, and invertebrates.

The BIOFloc plays three major roles in aquaculture and they are;

1. Maintains Water Quality by uptaking Nitrogen Compounds and Produce Proteins
2. Converts undigested feeds into Proteins, which controls the FCR
3. Controllers the Pathogens in the Water

These heterogeneous microorganisms called “BIOFlocs” are a rich protein-lipid, which is a natural source of food for fishes. There are many terminologies used in BIOFloc Technology i.e. CN Ratio, Nitrification Process, etc

The BIOFloc is also known as the “Blue Revolution” in aquaculture because it allows super high-density fish farming in a small area.

The BIOFloc was introduced by Professor Yoram Avnimeleh (a scientist from Isreal)  and still the research is going on for further improvements of this technology.

Looking at the global population growth it is very important to meet the huge feeding challenges.  Aquaculture plays major roles in mitigating the feeding challenges but there are a huge demand and supply gap.

Looking at the demand and supply from the aquaculture industry is very negligible. And the traditional way of fish/shrimp farming cannot fulfill the demand as the production is very less, time-consuming and have to depend upon nature and many more other challenges.

That’s why “BIOFloc” is called a “Blue Revolution” because of the following reasons;

• Supper High-Density Fish Farming in very less area
• Controlled Environment, no dependancy on Nature
• Low FCR, lees feed required to grow Fishes / Shrimps
• Uniform Growth and Faster Harvesting
• Disease Control Environment

BIOFloc Technology is now getting more popular among Fish Farmers. Traditional Fish Famers across the world are now adopting this new technology as it is more profitable.

In the BIOFloc System, Water Quality plays a major role in providing the required environment for fishes. Continuous monitoring of Water Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Salinity, Turbidity, and Settling Solids are the essential part of the BFT System

If you are planning to start a BIOFloc Fish Farming, it’s recommended learning the technology from a BIOFloc Professional, who is already doing BIOFloc and has a good amount of exposure in BIOFloc.

There is another technology called RAS (Recirculatory Aquaculture System), using which people are also doing Fish Farming but the challenge of using this RAS Technology, it’s very costly and not everyone can afford this technology.

Adapting BIOFloc Technology (BFT) is a very reasonable investment is required compared to the RAS System and return of investment can be expected within a year.

My Final Words

What is BIOFloc, it is such an awesome technology that was introduced by Professor Yoram Avnimeleh (a scientist from Isreal) and it allows super high-density fish farming using very little space. It’s the Blue Revolution in the aquaculture industry.