[{
  "type": "article-journal",
  "title": "OPTIMIZATION OF FISH STOCKING DENSITY IN AQUAPONIC SYSTEMS: BALANCING FISH YIELD, PLANT GROWTH, AND ECONOMIC PROFITABILITY ACROSS THREE STOCKING TREATMENTS",
  "author": [
    {
      "family": "Owdeh",
      "given": ""
    },
    {
      "family": "Salman",
      "given": ""
    },
    {
      "family": "Ali",
      "given": ""
    },
    {
      "family": "Romdhane",
      "given": ""
    }
  ],
  "issued": {
    "date-parts": [[2025]]
  },
  "container-title": "Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences",
  "ISSN": "1018-7081",
  "volume": "35",
  "issue": "6",
  "page": "1713-1719",
  "DOI": "https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2025.6.0145",
  "abstract": "<p>This study examines the effects of stocking density on the growth performance of juvenile Nile tilapia (<em>Oreochromis niloticus</em>) and spearmint (<em>Mentha spicata</em>) in a recirculating aquaponic system over a 120-day production cycle. Three stocking densities were tested: 40 fish/m&sup3; (Group G1), 80 fish/m&sup3; (Group G2), and 120 fish/m&sup3; (Group G3). The experiment was conducted at the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) in Palestine, using 1000-liter units equipped with biofiltration systems and standardized environmental controls. Fish were fed a diet containing 35% crude protein, while mint plants (10 plants per unit) were cultivated simultaneously without additional nutrient supplementation. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey&rsquo;s HSD post-hoc test (p &lt; 0.05) to assess significant differences in weight gain, survival rates, and plant biomass across treatments. Results indicated that operational costs increased with higher stocking densities, reaching $52.58 for G1, $82.90 for G2, and $113.60 for G3, despite uniform initial setup costs across all groups. Tilapia biomass exhibited a clear density-dependent increase, with final weights of 7.84 kg (G1), 13.49 kg (G2), and 20.22 kg (G3). Correspondingly, net profits rose from $5.68 in G1 to $28.10 in G3. These findings highlight the significance of strategic stocking density management in optimizing the productivity and economic efficiency of aquaponic systems. Implementing cost-effective stocking strategies and refining system design can significantly enhance the viability of aquaponics, particularly for small-scale agricultural operations.</p>",
  "publisher": "Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum",
  "URL": "https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2024-JAPS-2336"
}]