Comparative analysis of using housefly maggot, silkworm pupae and earthworm meal-based diets in rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)

Abstract

A study was conducted in rohu fish, Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) to assess the potential of silkworm pupae, housefly maggot, and earthworm meals as a replacement for soybean meal. In this context, four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were prepared, viz., control – SM (30% soybean meal inclusion level), SPM (30% silkworm pupae meal inclusion), HMM (30% housefly maggot meal inclusion level) and EWM (30% earthworm meal inclusion level). The rohu fingerlings (initial average body weight:5.07 ± 0.01 g) were fed twice daily with the respective experimental diets to reach satiation levels. Specific growth rate (SGR), final body weight (FBW), per cent weight gain (WG), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly affected among the experimental groups. SPM and HMM groups had significantly higher FBW, SGR, WG and PER values than the control - SM and EM groups. However, there was no significant difference between the control and EWM groups, and between SPM and HMM groups. FCR values showed a significant reverse trend in respect to WG. Incorporation of SPM and HMM in rohu diets gave greater growth performance and feed utilisation efficiency than SM and EWM-based diets.