Effect of feed processing during the nursery rearing of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract

This study aimed to compare 5 feed processing for O. niloticus fingerlings: ME1: micro-extruded 1 mm; ED03: extruded and disintegrated 0.3 mm; ED06: extruded and disintegrated 0.6 mm; BF03: bran 0.3 mm and BF06: bran 0.6 mm. Feed conversion was lower in ME1 and ED06. The protein retention coefficient was statistically higher in ME1. The fish proximate composition did not differ among treatments. Although superior in ME1 weight gain did not differ statistically from ED06. ME1 resulted in nitrogen and phosphorus in water statistically lower. ME1, ED06 and BF06 obtained the highest partial net revenues. Thus, ME1 presented the best zootechnical indices, economic performance and reduced impact on water quality.