Effect of replacing fish meal with black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens Capello, 1926) meal on growth and nutrient utilization parameters of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758) fingerlings

Abstract

The potential of using insect meals to replace fishmeal (FM) seems to show promising perspectives. In this study, different levels of fishmeal replacement (0%, 50%, and 75%) with Black Soldiers Fly Larvae (BSFL) meal were tested on Nile tilapia fingerlings. The proximate composition of BSFL found 10.95% lipid, 39.12% protein, 5.74% ash, and 7.64% crude fiber on dry weight basis. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of fish (initial weight: 1.16±1.15 g) for 25 days. Growth responses of fingerlings were significantly influenced by the content of BSF meal in the diet with a decrease from the control (0% BSF) to the highest replacement level (75% BSF). The final weight, length, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) and survival were comparable among the control and 50% BSFL meal. Among the three feeds, 0% BSFL meal performed the best followed by 50% BSFL meal. The survival rate, FCR, PER and SGR of tilapia fingerlings was alike in all the feeds. The study designed to provide preliminary data on the growth and nutrient utilization of tilapia fingerlings when fishmeal is replaced by BSFL meal. The feed was prepared with varying range of BSF larvae to support dietary requirement of tilapia fingerlings. In conclusion, up to 50% BSFL may successfully replace FM in diets for Nile tilapia fingerlings without adverse effects on growth performance and nutrient utilization.