Author(s): Ali Amatul-Samahah, Hanan Mohd Yusof, Muhammad-Akmal M Rahim, Noor-Faizah Ismail, Muhammad Zudaidy Jaapar and Ahmad Baihaqi Othman

Abstract: The nutritional composition of an ento-protein, Hermetia illucens, black soldier fly larvae offers a compelling profile, rich in protein, essential amino acids, lipids, and micronutrients, aligning closely with the dietary requirements of tilapia juveniles. This paper aims to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of utilizing Hermetia illucens larvae as a total replacement for early diet in tilapia, Oreochromis spp. during the nursery stage. A total of 360 tilapia, Oreochromis spp. fingerlings were selected based on the approximately average weight of 1.41 g and randomly distributed into 12 rectangle aquarium tank (300 mm x 190 mm x 210 mm) at a stocking density of 30 fish per tank. The fingerlings were given commercial pellets as control diet (G1), live black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) (G2), and dead, dried BSFL (G3) at 10% of the total body weight according to respective diets in dry weight and the feeding was carried out three times per day. The experimental set up was done in triplicate. According to observations, fingerlings in G3 fed with dead, dried larvae had equivalent growth performance to the control group (G1). Specific growth rate (SGR) for fingerlings in G3 is slightly lower compared to control group which are 1.75±0.14% g/day and 2.24 ±0.24% g/day respectively. While, the fingerlings in G2 recorded the lowest SGR which just 0.87±0.10% g/day. This is due to the commercial diet is formulated specifically to meet the specific nutrition requirement. Meanwhile, the survival percentage of fingerlings in G3 is 88.33 ±1.44%, which is close to the survival rate of fingerlings fed the commercial pellet, 90.00±4.33%. The fingerlings in G2 recorded the lowest survival rate which just 44.17±5.20%. The study of amino acids and fatty acids analysis of the fingerlings indicates that dead BSFL provides a nutritionally almost similar to the commercial pellet. The dead, dried BSFL showed comparable growth performance parameters and might be utilised as a replacement for commercial pellets when feeding tilapia fingerlings at the nursery stage.

DOI: 10.22271/fish.2024.v12.i5b.2976

Pages: 136-141  |  216 Views  123 Downloads

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