A comparative study on growth of fish Pangasius hypophthalmus in freshwater and treated wastewater

In the last few decades, pisciculture has seen the fastest growth in the food production sector. Fresh water availability is decreasing, which is becoming a major limiting factor to fish production and the gap between supply and demand constantly widens. In some countries around the world, treated wastewater (TWW) has been used for fish culture as a sustainable and alternative water resource for centuries. The purpose of this research work is to establish the suitability of treated wastewater for reuse, and to ensure that treated water is used for fish survival. We conducted this study to compare the growth of the fish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) in terms of length, weight, survival rate and FCR in fresh water and in treated wastewater. Results suggest that fish raised in TWW exhibit comparable growth in terms of length and weight, similar survival rates, and comparable feed conversion efficiency to those raised in freshwater. These findings indicate that TWW has the potential to be a viable alternative water source for fish farming, providing a sustainable approach to aquaculture while also addressing water resource challenges. However, further research and monitoring may be necessary to fully understand the long-term implications and ensure the sustainability of fish growth in TWW.