Author(s): Francine Herodias Beke, Nadège Kouadio-N’gbesso, N’ Golo Ouattara, N’da Einstein Kouadio, Yapoga Bruno Osseyi, Audrey Charlène Atse and Thomas Adjehi Dadie

Abstract: In order to find effective and less expensive protein sources than fishmeal for tilapia feed, a study was conducted on the effect of eight feeds formulated from the larvae meal of the insect Hermetia illucens on the growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The feeding trial was conducted over eight weeks with juveniles of an average weight of 5±0.6 g distributed in triplicate across 27 aquariums of 14.5 liters with a density of 20 individuals per aquarium. Eight diets with fishmeal replacement rates by H. illucens larvae meal of 0%, 10%, 25%, 35%, 50%, 65%, 75%, and 100% were prepared from a local feed based on agricultural by-products and compared to a commercial reference feed (AT). The fish were fed at 5% of their body weight three times a day. After 56 days of rearing, the average final weights varied from 10.96±0.23 g to 17.47±0.56 g. Corresponding average daily weight gains ranged from 0.10±0.03 g/day to 0.22±0.09 g/day. The calculated specific growth rates ranged from 1.37±0.33%/day to 2.12±0.62%/day. Food conversion ratios ranged from 0.70±0.10 to 1.64±0.48. The corresponding average protein efficiency ratios ranged from 0.01±0.00 to 0.04±0.02. The survival rate varied from 70.83% to 89.58%. Fish fed diets A3, A4, A5, and A6 showed the best growth performance alongside the control feed. Fish fed diet A0 showed the lowest growth performance. Based on the results obtained, H. illucens larvae meal can be a good alternative to fishmeal in the diet of Nile tilapia.

DOI: 10.22271/fish.2025.v13.i2b.3056

Pages: 106-109  |  163 Views  87 Downloads

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