Fish meal (FM) is no longer a sustainable source for the increasing aquaculture industry. Animal proteins from insects may be used as a FM alternative source as long as they do not create adverse effects in fish. Black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) was tested in a 12-week experiment on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Four hundred and twenty (14.77 ± 2.09 g) fish were divided into seven groups and were fed seven diets: control (0% BSFLM-100% FM), and FM replaced by BSFLM at rates of 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%. Growth indexes, feed utilization efficiency indices, feed intake, and survival rate were not significantly different (p > 0.05) between FM and BSFLM fed fish. Values of red blood cell, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume and hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell distribution width, and platelet values were not affected by BSFLM. Skin, mucus lysozyme, and peroxidase activities were improved in BSFLM fed fish. BSFLM can be used as a substitution for FM in the Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) diet at up to a 100% rate with no adverse effects.
Two experiments were carried out at the Khon Kaen University, Nong Khai Campus, Thailand during November, 2011 to May, 2012 to search for the most appropriate rates of feeding rations for fingerling and juvenile Asian redtail catfish (Hemibagrus wyckioides). A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications was used for both experiments. Experiment 1 had four treatments, i.e., T1 (2%), T2 (3%), T3 (4%, control), and T4 (5%). The same experimental design was used for the experiment 2, where four treatments were used, i.e., T1 (1%), T2 (2%), T3 (3%, control) and T4 (4%). The percentages of the amounts of rations used for Experiments 1 and 2 were based on body-live weight per day. Fingerling and juvenile fish were used for the experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Each experiment was carried out for 10 weeks. The results showed that a rate of 5% body live weight per day for fingerling fish of T4 of experiment 1 is the most appropriate rate for the fingerling fish. An increase in ration rate highly increased final body live weight. For juvenile fish of the experiment 2, it was found that there were no significant differences in live weights amongst the treated fish yet weight gained and specific growth rates between T1 and the rest were highly significant, whereas the results of the juvenile fish of T2 up to T4 were similar hence, 2% body live weight per day of T2 is the most appropriate rate for juvenile fish.
Lack of understanding in selecting age-appropriate protein levels in the tilapia diet would result in low growth and productivity. Therefore, the effect of dietary protein levels on tilapia development and the productive potential of fry raised in concrete ponds according to the CRD experimental protocol was investigated using three treatments with four replications. Fifteen breeder fish/ponds with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2 were fed with 15.5, 25, and 30% protein for 20 weeks. The water quality was monitored and the fish's mouth was tapped every 2 weeks. The results showed that feeding of 25% protein affected egg development at all stages (Zygote, Cleavage, Gastrula, Segmentation, Pharyngula, Hatching, Early larva, and Late larva) as well as production cost better than other feeds (p<0.05). Breeders fed 30% protein had a higher average weight, specific growth rate, condition factor, and feed efficiency but the lowest feed intake, feed rate, and feed conversion rate (p<0.05). A 25% protein diet provides adequate nutrition for hatching and fries production while keeping the pond water safe for their lives.
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