Growth and Stress Resistance of Advanced Sized Nile Tilapia Fed Diets Containing Fuel-Based DDGS and Yeast

Abstract

A feeding trial investigated the use of a diet comprised of yeast and distillers' dried grain with solubles (DDGS) to improve growth, feed utilization, and stress resistance of tilapia. Six diets were formulated (as-fed basis) with 8% menhaden fishmeal and 20%, 25%, or 30% DDGS with or without 0.125% yeast probiotic. Aquaria (110 L) were stocked with eight Nile tilapia (mean weight = 43.6 ± 1.3 g) with four replicate aquaria per diet. Weight gains, food conversion ratios (FCR), protein efficiency ratios (PER), blood cortisol levels, and survival rates did not significantly differ (P ≥ 0.1) among or between fish fed differing diets. Overall, results indicated that the inclusion of low-level yeast probiotics did not increase the utilization of DDGS nor did it improve the growth or acute stress resistance (i.e., short-term stressor) of juvenile Nile tilapia.