Toward Feeds for Circular Multitrophic Food Production Systems: Holistically Evaluating Growth Performance and Nutrient Excretion of African Catfish Fed Fish Meal-Free Diets in Comparison to Nile Tilapia

Abstract

In aquaponics and circular multitrophic food production systems, dietary protein source, as well as fish species choice, particularly in cases of different nutritional physiology, could be factors affecting excreted nutrient profiles. Accordingly, growth performance, dissolved nutrient accumulation and feces nutrient profiles were evaluated for African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) reared in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and fed single protein source diets based on black soldier fly larvae meal (BSF), poultry by-product meal (PM), poultry blood meal (PBM) and fish meal (FM) and the results were compared to previous findings for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). All diets resulted in significantly different growth performances of African catfish, with FM producing the best growth performance, followed by PM, BSF and PBM. PM resulted in the highest soluble reactive phosphorus concentrations (SRP) in the RAS water; whereas, BSF resulted in the highest K, Mg and Cu concentrations. The highest feces nutrient density was recorded for PBM; whereas, FM and PM yielded the lowest feces nutrient density. Comparing African catfish to Nile tilapia revealed that the former showed significantly better growth performance with FM and PM, however, significantly weaker performance with BSF. Although dissolved K accumulation was similar between species across diets, significant differences were recorded for total inorganic nitrogen and SRP production per unit of feed for individual diets. Despite similar feces nutrient profiles, African catfish produce significantly less feces dry matter per unit of feed for each diet compared to Nile tilapia. Findings are discussed regarding their implications for aquafeed development in the context of circular multitrophic food production systems.