Utilization of Caridina nilotica (Roux) meal as a protein ingredient in feeds for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract

The effects of replacing fish meal with Caridinanilotica as a protein ingredient on growth perfor-mance, nutrient utilization, carcass, proximatecomposition and economic benefits in Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus) culture was evaluated.Replacement of the FM with C. nilotica was done at25%, 50%, 75% and 100% (D25, D50, D75 andD100) and the substitution effects was comparedwith the control diet (D0, 0% C. nilotica). After140 days of culture, the best growth performance,nutrient utilization and economic benefits occurredin fish groups fed diets with 25% C. nilotica inclu-sion. However, growth performance in fish fed dietsD50 and D75 were comparable with the control(P > 0.05). At 100% substitution level of FM withC. nilotica, the growth performance and fish sur-vival was lower than control. Protein and lipid con-tents in the fish and their digestibilities were highestin diet D25 and decreased with increasing levels ofsubstitution of FM with C. nilotica. This study dem-onstrate that utilization of local protein sources(C. nilotica) can be effectively used to replace up to75% of FM in the diets without compromisinggrowth performance, survival, nutrient utilizationand economic benefits in O. niloticus culture.