Potential of seaweeds (Hypnea cornuta and Hypnea musciformis) in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings diets

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the potential of selected seaweeds in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings diets. Two species of seaweeds, Hypnea cornuta, and Hypnea muscifomis were sampled from the Kenyan coast and their chemical composition determined. They both had crude protein content above 20%. Five diets with crude protein of 35% were formulated with different levels of seaweed content of 0% seaweed (control), 20% H. cornuta, 30% H. cornuta, 20% H. musciformis and 30% H. muscifomis to partially replace the protein ingredient (fresh water shrimp). These diets were fed in triplicate to 450 tilapia fingerlings stocked in glass tank aquaria for a period of 60 days. The results showed significant comparison between H. cornuta diets and the control diet. This generally concluded that low inclusion of seaweed especially H. cornuta as protein source, can partially replace freshwater shrimp in Nile tilapia fingerling diet.