Utilization of Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Protein Source in Fish Diets for Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract

Insect meals, such as black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), have the potential to be used as a source of protein in animal feeds due to their high nutritional profile and cost effectiveness. The objective of this study was to elucidate the impact of BSFL meal included at different levels in fish diets of Nile Tilapia (Ocreochromis niloticus, L) on the growth performance, survival rate, somatic indexes and economic benefits. Four experimental diets were prepared; three with BSFL meal as a substitute for fish meal at 25% (T25%), 50% (T50%) and 75% (T75%) and a control diet without BSFL meal (T0%, 100% FM). A total of 360 fingerlings weighing about 20 - 30 grams each were assigned to twelve cages built in a 720m2 earthen pond, with 30 fingerlings in each cage in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications in each treatment group. The fingerlings were fed the experimental diets for 26 weeks. The results showed that the growth performance parameters were not significant, their levels were comparable in all treatments. BSFL inclusion up to 75% did not affect the growth performance parameters. The final weight, body weight gain, daily body weight gains were similar for all treatments respectively. The final body lengths were also similar they ranged between (15.91cm- 16.50) the final lengths were not significant they were not affected by BSFL inclusion at the different levels. The daily feed intake and FCR were comparably the same (p>0.05) BSFL did not affect these parameters. The survival rate was significantly influenced (P<0.05) by the diet treatment groups, while blood parameters, visceral somatic and Hepatosomatic indexes did not vary significantly (P>0.05) across the treatment diets. Return on investment and the cost-benefit ratio were significantly (p<0.05) affected by the partial replacement of fishmeal with BSFL meal. Diets T25%, T50%, T75% had higher (p<0.05) profit margins when compared with diets T0 %( control). The study found that BSFLM can replace FM in diets for Nile Tilapia without compromising on the growth performance of the fish while also increasing the profitability. Keywords: Animal Feed, Fish, Nutritional composition, Insect-based-meal