Abstract:
The study was conducted to evaluate minerals composition of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in wild
environment (general Nile) compared with aquaculture environment, specifically in different types of
ponds (concrete, polyethylene and earthen Ponds) in fish farms in Khartoum State. Also this work
intended to determine and compare some physic-chemical parameters of water in the studied fish
environment. Moreover, the study was conducted to compare some parameters according to source of
water (Nile or wells). A total of 388 samples of Nile tilapia were collected from River Nile and
governmental and private fish farms around Khartoum State and the samples were subjected to mineral
analysis (Na, K, Ca, Fe, and P). Water samples were collected for water quality parameters (unionized
ammonia NO3
-1
, sulphide H2S, temperature ºC, and pH). The findings of this study revealed that,
Oreochromis niloticus from Nile environment has higher level of Na, K and P than from ponds and there
was highly significant difference (P≤0.01), but there was no significant difference (P>0.05) for Ca and Fe.
Fourty eight water samples were collected from River Nile and governmental and private fish farms
around Khartoum State and subjected to physic-chemical analysis. There was a highly significant
difference (P≤0.01) in all water quality parameters according to rearing site. However, when study Nile
river water and wells water, H2S, temperature and pH showed no significant difference (P>0.05), while
unionized ammonia showed significant difference (P≤0.05). Accordingly, the study concluded that Nile
river water has a high water quality than other sources of water, also, River Nile aquaculture environment
is an immediate environment in relation to ponds environment. The study recommended that more
investigation in aquaculture and water quality parameters will provide knowledge and improve fish
production.
