Evaluation of invertebrates as protein sources in Nile Tilapia
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Date
2017
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Abstract
The study was conducted to approximate the composition of house fly maggots and earthworms from
different substrates as well as to evaluate their suitability as protein sources in the Nile tilapia
(Oreochromis niloticus) diets. Chicken manure, cattle manure and fermented maize were used as
substrates for production household fly maggots (HFM), while chicken, cattle and rabbit manures were
used as substrates for production of earthworm meal (EWM). HFMs and EWMs with the highest protein
content were used to formulate practical isonitrogenous diets (30% crude protein) containing graded
levels of HFM and EWM meals (25%, 30%, 35% and 40%). The diets were fed to juveniles with an
average weight of 2.6g in a growth trial that lasted for eight weeks. There were significant (p<0.05)
differences in the crude protein contents between the HFMs as well as EWMs raised on three culturing
media. Chicken manure produced HFM with significantly high protein content, while cow manure did the
same for EWM. Growth and feed utilization was significantly higher in fish fed diets HFM35 and
EWM35. The same diets were more cost effective to produce a unit of fish. Therefore, it is recommended
to include either HFM or EWM meals at 35% in practical diets containing 5% fishmeal and cotton
seedcake or any similar plant protein.
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Keywords
Sustainable Seed Technology, Tilapia species