Performance of bullfrog tadpoles (Lithobates catesbeianus) fed balanced diets using alternative energy ingredients containing vegetable mesocarp

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and metamorphosis of bullfrog tadpoles (Lithobates catesbeianus) fed balanced diets, wherein corn flour was replaced with banana, avocado, and pumpkin meal (all made without the epicarp). Using a completely randomized design, the animals were stored in tanks with a capacity of 30 L in a water recirculation system at a density of 1 tadpole/L. Through biweekly biometric measurements, the weight, standard, and total length were evaluated to determine metamorphic development, weight gain, consumption, feed conversion, specific growth rate, survival, physical-chemical parameters of water, and the percentage carcass composition (only at the end). Tadpoles fed rations balanced with pumpkin and banana flour performed the best, followed by those fed avocado meal and those fed the control ration (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that growth performance is improved in animals fed diets containing 10% pumpkin and banana meal instead of corn, and tadpoles that received the avocado meal had the same performance as the conventional diets. Research should be carried out to assess other avenues for the replacement of ingredients in rations for bullfrog tadpoles.

Feeds formulated with alternative ingredients for bullfrog tadpoles (Lithobates catesbeianus)

“…The partial replacement of animal-derived flour (salmon flour) and total vegetable-derived flour, such as soybean meal and corn bran, with alternative plant-based ingredients such as avocado, pumpkin, and banana, can be a good strategy for cost reduction and production with unaltered weight gain of bullfrog tadpoles (Seixas Filho et al, 2022).…”

“…New foods must be tested for tadpoles if they have the following characteristics: easy availability, nutrient richness, adequate mineral content, and highly digestible vitamin content. Moreover, they must contribute to the economic and environmental sustainability of agricultural activity (Seixas Filho et al, 2022).…”