THE USE OF NON TRADITIONAL PROTEIN SOURCES IN AQUACULTURE

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of replacing fish meal protein by either dried earthworm meal (OEM) protein or poultry by-products meal (PBP) protein, and substitute soybean meal protein with leucaena leaf meal (LLM) protein on the growth performance and feed utilization of tilapia (Oreochromis ni/oticus) fingerlings. Thirteen experimental diets were formulated and biologically evaluated through 8 weeks of experimental period. Four experimental diets were formulated to contain dried earthworm meal (OEM) to substitute 25,50,75 and 100% of the diet fish meal protein (20%), Also four experimental diets were formulated to contain poultry by-products meal (PBP) to substitute 25, 50,75 and 100% of the diet fish meal protein (20%). Another four experimental diets were formulated to contain leucaena leaf meal (LLM) to substitute 25, 50, 75 and I 00% of the diet soybean meal protein (30%). The thirteenth experimental diet represents the control. All formulated diets were isocaloric (4800 kcallkg OM) and isonitrogenous (33% CP)

and were supplied with 1.5% vitamin - minerals premix and were formulated to cover the nutrient requirements of tilapia according to NRC (1993). Com oil was used as a source of essential fatty acids and to adjust the energy content. The fish was fed the experimental diets at 5% of their total body weights 3 times a day for 8 weeks. The results showed that tilapia fingerlings received diets containing either I 00% (OEM) or up to 75% (PBP) replacement of fish meal and those having 25% (LLM) replacement of soybean meal offered the best results in growth parameters, feed efficiency, chemical composition of whole body of fish and economic efficiency.