Seventh semester students of the Animal Husbandry program of the Universidad Industrial de Santander-Malaga campus, implemented an innovative aquaculture production system based on aquaponic recirculation (RAS) for the rearing of red mojarra. This system optimizes water use by means of a biofilter that transforms fish waste into nutrients for plants, in this case, lettuce and avocado seed germination.
The project is guided by veterinarian and zootechnician, Professor José Eduardo Acevedo Espinel, as part of the course “Sustainable aquaculture production systems” and was installed in the facilities of the Escuelita del antiguo Politécnico, promising to be an efficient and sustainable alternative for fish production in the region.
Operation of the RAS system
According to Professor Acevedo, the heart of the system is a biofilter where beneficial bacteria convert the ammonia in the fish waste into nitrates, a less toxic substance that can be used by plants. This process allows water to be continuously reused, reducing water consumption compared to other livestock systems such as meat, milk or egg production.
Before introducing the fish, the system must be cycled for about a month and a half to ensure the development of the bacterial colony in the biofilter. During this time, students monitor water quality and prepare optimal oxygen and temperature conditions.
Benefits and expectations
This system not only favors the conservation of water resources, but also represents a profitable option for producers, since it can be implemented in small spaces, such as in the backyards of homes. In addition to the red mojarra, the project will enable the harvesting of lettuce and sprouted avocado seeds, adding value to production.
Currently, the system has 100 fish and production is expected to reach approximately 30 kilograms of red mullet by the end of May. To guarantee the proper functioning of the RAS system, the students are organized into groups and carry out two daily checks to ensure that conditions are optimal for the growth of the fish and plants.
In this regard, student Leidy Zambrano emphasized that this type of system provides them with a comprehensive vision of sustainable protein production, giving them ideas for replicating or adapting these models at home, either for self-consumption or larger-scale production.
This project demonstrates the commitment of UIS Malaga’s animal science students to innovation and sustainability in agricultural production, offering new alternatives for food security and rural development in the region.
