Optimizing Vitamin C Supplementation for Nile Tilapia under Thermal Stress in Climate-Smart Aquaculture

1. Introduction: The global aquaculture industry faces significant challenges from climate change, particularly rising water temperatures, which negatively impact fish growth, health, and overall productivity. Tilapia, a crucial aquaculture species, is highly susceptible to thermal stress, leading to reduced growth rates, compromised immune function, and increased mortality. Nutritional strategies, such as dietary supplementation with Vitamin C, are recognized for their potential to mitigate stress responses and enhance resilience in aquatic organisms. However, the optimal levels of Vitamin C supplementation for tilapia under specific heat stress conditions remain underexplored.

2. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of varying dietary Vitamin C levels in ameliorating the adverse effects of elevated water temperatures on the growth performance, physiological stress responses, and antioxidant status of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

3. Methods: A completely randomized design will be adopted with four dietary treatment groups of Vitamin C (0, 100, 200, 300 mg/kg) replicated three times. Juvenile O. niloticus (~10 ± 2 g) will be subjected to heat stress (35°C) for eight weeks. Growth metrics (weight gain, SGR, FCR, survival rate), cortisol levels, and antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, MDA) will be assessed. Data will be analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test.

4. Results: It is anticipated that increased dietary Vitamin C supplementation will significantly improve growth performance, reduce physiological stress indicators (cortisol), and enhance the antioxidant capacity of Nile tilapia juveniles under thermal stress. Optimal Vitamin C levels are expected to be identified, leading to improved resilience and productivity.

5. Conclusion: The findings will provide valuable insights for developing climate-smart aquaculture practices and improving the sustainability of tilapia farming in regions affected by rising temperatures. This research contributes to enhancing the adaptive capacity of aquaculture systems to climate change impacts, fostering more resilient blue economies.