Nile Tilapia Feed Research Articles

Investigation of the effect of water and feed sourced boron on the growth performance and blood parameters of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of water and feed‐derived boron on the growth performance and blood parameters of Nile tilapia fingerlings. Two different experiments were designed for this purpose. The first phase of the study determined the LC50 (96‐h) value of boron for Nile tilapia. Fish were then fed in water containing boron at a ratio of 1:20 of the LC50 value. In the second experiment, feed containing boron at different rates (0.00%, 0.01%, 0.05%, and 0.10%) was fed for 40 days. At the end of the feeding period, growth performance, hematology, and blood biochemistry parameters were determined. The study concluded with a calculated LC50 value of 161.053 mg/L boron for Nile tilapia. The initial weight was 12.51 ± 0.79 g; at the end of feeding, the final weights were determined as 26.36 ± 0.15 g for the control and 28.07 ± 0.23, 32.28 ± 0.25 and 24.81 ± 0.48 g for 0.01%, 0.05% and 0.10% of boron feed treatments, respectively. At the end of feeding in water containing boron, the final weight of Nile tilapia was determined as 24.26 ± 0.26 g (LC50/20%). The results showed that feeding Nile tilapia with 0.05% boron‐supplemented feed stimulated growth and positively affected blood parameters, whereas waterborne boron inhibited Nile tilapia growth and negatively affected blood parameters.

Impact of Feeding Artemia franciscana Enriched with Various Oil Resources on Growth, Blood Biochemical and Behavioral Indices, and Survival of Oreochromis Niloticus

Abstract The main objective of the present trial was to examine the efficacy of feeding tilapia fry fish on Artemia franciscana diets supplemented with various oil emulsion resources in terms of performance, behavior indices, survival rate, blood biochemical parameters, and immunological response. Four hundred Nile tilapia fry (weighing 0.15±0.05 g and measuring 2.17±0.08 cm) were randomly allocated into four equal groups (each with five repetitions) and acclimatized for fifteen days. The first group served as the control and received unenriched Artemia franciscana (G0), while the remaining three groups were fed Artemia franciscana diets enriched with different oil resources (0.5 mL oil per liter for 6 hours): soybean oil (G1), sesame oil (G2), and rice bran oil (G3). Behavioral observations were recorded during the 45-day experimental period. At the end of the feeding trial, the chemical composition and fatty acid content of both Artemia and fingerlings were analyzed. Furthermore, the growth performance, survival, and immune response of the fingerlings were evaluated. The results indicated noticeable improvements in behavioral measurements (feeding, foraging and schooling), performance (final length, final weight, net weight gain, feed conversion ratio and specific growth rate), survival, and immune response among fry fish supplemented with enriched Artemia, particularly those enriched with soybean oil. Additionally, the chemical composition and fatty acid content of both Artemia and fish fry were significantly enhanced when oil emulsions are applied, with soybean oil demonstrating the most prominent improvements. Whereas, supplementing fry fish Artemia diets with oil resulted in lower liver enzyme activity and higher protein component levels in plasma in comparison to the control group. In brief, feeding Nile tilapia fry fish Artemia diets enriched with a soybean oil emulsion (0.5 mL/L) is recommended for promoting high performance, immunological activity, and survival throughout the early stage till fingerlings phase.

Dietary Chitosan Nanoparticles Enhance Growth, Antioxidant Defenses, Immunity, and Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria Resistance in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

While chitosan is widely used in aquaculture feed, chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) offer potential advantages due to their enhanced absorption. This study investigated the safe use of CNP levels in Nile tilapia feed, evaluating its impact on growth, immunity, and disease resistance. Five experimental diets were formulated and supplemented with zero chitosan (served as a control group), 1g/kg of chitosan (CS), and 1, 3, and 5 g/kg of CNPs. Each diet was randomly assigned to three replicate groups of 45 fish per group (15 fish/tank) with an average weight of (42.10 ± 0.05g, mean ± S.E.) twice daily (09:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.) to apparent satiation for two months. At the end of the feeding trial, fish fed 5 g/ kg of CNPs had the highest growth performance. However, no significant variations (p > 0.05) in somatic index were seen between the experimental groups. All chitosan and CNP-enriched groups exhibited improved intestinal morphology compared to the control group, characterized by increased villus length and width, reduced necrosis of intestinal tips, and better overall tissue integrity, with the CNP 3g and 5g groups demonstrating the most favorable intestinal structure. The CNP-treated groups (3, 5 g/kg) had significantly higher blood indices and serum globulin. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were lower in the CNP-treated groups compared to the chitosan macromolecule group. There was a substantial rise in glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), phagocytic index, and respiratory burst activity in the 5 g/kg CNP-treated group. The dietary addition of 5 g/kg of CNPs raised mRNA expression for TLR-2, MUC-2, and IGF-1, but there was no significant difference in HSP70 expression across treatments. After the experimental challenge with Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria, the groups that received 3 and 5 g/kg of CNPs exhibited the lowest mortality rates. Overall, the results suggest that including 5g/kg of CNPs in fish food is safe and effective for enhancing their health and growth, making it a promising addition to aquaculture feed.

Antagonistic effects of Bacillus subtilis-derived chitosan nanoparticles on growth performance, stress biomarkers, and histological alterations of cadmium-intoxicated Nile tilapia fingerlings

Heavy metals including cadmium (Cd) are one of the major persistent and non-biodegradable wastewater pollutants. However, Cd reaches the aquatic ecosystem via industrial and agricultural waste discharges and causes serious deterioration in the welfare status of aquatic animals. The use of feed supplements with immune-stimulants to mitigate the toxic influences of heavy metals including Cd is a much more intriguing point. Thus, the current experiment used the bio-synthetized chitosan nanoparticles derived from Bacillus subtilis (Bs-CNPs) as a feed supplement and evaluated its ameliorative impacts on the growth and welfare status of Cd-intoxicated Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Bifactorial design (3 Bs-CNPs levels × 3 Cd levels) was used in the current study where Nile tilapia fingerlings (58–63 g) were fed on 0.0, 2, and 4 g Bs-CNPs/kg feed alongside with exposing to 0.0, 0.392, and 0.784 mg Cd/L for 60 days to represent nine treatments as follows: T1: control group (no Cd exposure; no Bs-CNPs supplement); T2 and T3: fish were intoxicated with 0.784 and 0.392 mg Cd/L, respectively; T4 and T5: fish fed on 2 and 4 g Bs-CNPs/kg feed, respectively; T6 and T7: fish were fed on 2 g Bs-CNPs/kg feed along with exposure to 0.784 and 0.392 mg Cd/L, respectively; and T8 and T9: fish were fed on 4 g Bs-CNPs/kg feed along with exposure to 0.784 and 0.392 mg Cd/L, respectively. It is noted that the Cd-intoxicated fish exhibited significant retardation in growth performance and digestive enzyme activities with a decline in their survival rate compared to the control group (T1). The results also revealed that exposing fish to Cd toxicity alone with no feed supplement (T2 and T3) experienced abnormal clinical signs and behavioral changes. Compared with the control group (no Cd with no Bs-CNPs), highest values of cortisol, glucose, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase, and acetylcholine esterase activity were found in fish fed on the control diet along with exposure to 0.784 mg Cd/L. Higher Cd restudies in liver, intestine, gills, kidney, and muscles tissues were detected in fish exposed to 0.784 mg Cd/L alone and the sequence order of Cd levels in different fish organs is intestine > gills > liver > kidney > muscles. Remarkable pathological alterations in hepatic and intestinal tissues were also observed. On the other hand, feeding Nile tilapia on Bs-CNPs-enriched diets alone with no Cd exposure enhanced their growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, and hematological parameters with no Cd residues in fish organs. Interestingly, feeding the Cd-intoxicated fish on diets with Bs-CNPs (4 g/kg feed) returned their growth, digestive enzymes, hematological, and biochemical parameters to approximate those of the control group. Furthermore, these treatments showed histopathological alteration recovery in the intestine and liver tissues is similar to those in the control group (no Cd with no Bs-CNPs). Fish fed on Bs-CNPs levels with no Cd exposure showed no Cd residues in different fish organs. The Cd levels in different organs of fish exposed to 0.392 mg Cd/L along with feeding on Bs-CNPs (4 g/kg feed) were lower than those in Cd-exposed fish treatments. Consequently, the current study evoked that feeding Nile tilapia fingerlings on Bs-CNPs (4 g/kg feed) could enhance their growth performance and protect the fish from the Cd toxicity that may occur in the aquatic ecosystem.

Dietary Pediastrum boryanum microalgal extract improves growth, enhances immunity, and regulates immune-related genes in Nile tilapia

BackgroundIdentifying alternative sustainable feed sources with high nutritional values is crucial for the future of environmentally and socially responsible aquaculture. In this regard, microalgae have been proven to have positive effects on fish health, which overwhelmed our interest in this study.MethodsPediastrum boryanum (P. boryanum) was incorporated into Nile tilapia feed at concentrations of 0, 0.75, and 1.5 mg/kg, as control, PbExt0.75, and PbExt1.5 groups to assess its effects on growth and biochemical indices, oxidant/antioxidant activities, immune and stress-related gene expression, and intestinal morphology.ResultsAfter 8 weeks, fish fed P. boryanum supplemented feed exhibited significant increases in final weight, length, condition factor, body weight gain, and specific growth rate, while the spleen-somatic index (SSI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) showed no significant differences compared to the control group. Dietary P. boryanum supplementation also enhanced IgM levels and lysozyme activity, along with no marked effect on markers of liver function enzymes (alanine aminotransferase/ALT and aspartate aminotransferase/AST) or protein status (total protein and albumin). Furthermore, P. boryanum addition increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) enzymes, highlighting its antioxidant potential, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations showed no significant differences among the groups. Gene expression analysis revealed that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) expression notably increased in groups fed P. boryanum containing feed, while no significant difference was observed in hepatic Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA expression. Histopathological examination revealed no adverse effects of P. boryanum supplementation on the liver, spleen, or intestinal tissues. Villous height and villous surface area were notably increased in the high P. boryanum supplementation group, suggesting improved intestinal integrity and nutrient absorption.ConclusionDietary P. boryanum supplementation can potentially improve growth performance, immune response, antioxidant status, and intestinal health of Nile tilapia, making it a promising candidate for sustainable aquaculture.

Resistance of Nile tilapia fed with Padina boergesenii extract to Pseudomonas putida infection

The aim of this research was to estimate the immunopotentiation effect of brown algae Padina boergesenii water extract on Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus through resistance to Pseudomonas putida infection. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry was utilized to characterize the seaweed phytoconstituents. One hundred and twenty-six fish were divided in triplicates into two equal groups corresponding to two diet variants that used to feed Nile tilapia for 20 successive days: a basal (control), and P. boergesenii water extract supplemented group. Fish samples were collected at 10-days intervals throughout the experiment. Serum biochemical constituents, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and some immune related genes expression of the spleen and intestinal tissues of experimental fish were studied, as well as histological examination of fish immune tissues. Moreover, following 20 days of feeding, the susceptibility of Nile tilapia to P. putida infection was evaluated to assess the protective effect of the used extract. The findings indicated that the studied parameters were significantly increased, and the best immune response profiles were observed in fish fed P. boergesenii water extract for 20 successive days. A bacterial challenge experiment using P. putida resulted in higher survival within the supplemented fish group than the control. Thus, the lowered post-challenge mortality of the fish may be related to the protection provided by the stimulation of the innate immune system, reduced oxidative stress by higher activity of TAC, and elevated levels of expression of iterleukin-1beta (IL-1β), beta-defensin (β-defensin), and natural killer-lysin (NKl). Moreover, the constituents of the extract used showed potential protective activity for histological features of the supplemented fish group when compared to the control. Collectively, this study presents a great insight on the protective role of P. boergesenii water extract as an additive in Nile tilapia feed which suggests its potential for improving the immune response against P. putida infection.

Feeding Nile tilapia with varying levels of biofloc: effect on growth performance, survival rate, digestive and liver enzyme activities, and mucus immunity

Feeding Nile tilapia with varying levels of biofloc: effect on growth performance, survival rate, digestive and liver enzyme activities, and mucus immunity

Inhibiting mitochondrial citrate shuttling induces hepatic triglyceride deposition in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) through lipid anabolic remodeling

The solute carrier family 25 member 1 (Slc25a1)-dependent mitochondrial citrate shuttle is responsible for exporting citrate from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm for supporting lipid biosynthesis and protein acetylation. Previous studies on Slc25a1 concentrated on pathological models. However, the importance of Slc25a1 in maintaining metabolic homeostasis under normal nutritional conditions remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the mechanism of mitochondrial citrate shuttle in maintaining lipid metabolism homeostasis in male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). To achieve the objective, we blocked the mitochondrial citrate shuttle by inhibiting Slc25a1 under normal nutritional conditions. Slc25a1 inhibition was established by feeding Nile tilapia with 250 mg/kg 1,2,3-benzenetricarboxylic acid hydrate for 6 weeks or intraperitoneal injecting them with dsRNA to knockdown slc25a1b for 7 days. The Nile tilapia with Slc25a1 inhibition exhibited an obesity-like phenotype accompanied by fat deposition, liver damage and hyperglycemia. Moreover, Slc25a1 inhibition decreased hepatic citrate-derived acetyl-CoA, but increased hepatic triglyceride levels. Furthermore, Slc25a1 inhibition replenished cytoplasmic acetyl-CoA through enhanced acetate pathway, which led to hepatic triglycerides accumulation. However, acetate-derived acetyl-CoA caused by hepatic Slc25a1 inhibition did not activate de novo lipogenesis, but rather modified protein acetylation. In addition, hepatic Slc25a1 inhibition enhanced fatty acids esterification through acetate-derived acetyl-CoA, which increased Lipin1 acetylation and its protein stability. Collectively, our results illustrate that inhibiting mitochondrial citrate shuttle triggers lipid anabolic remodeling and results in lipid accumulation, indicating the importance of mitochondrial citrate shuttle in maintaining lipid metabolism homeostasis.

The Ameliorative Effects of Dietary Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Against Growth Retardation, Oxidative Stress, and Immunosuppression Induced by Waterborne Lead Toxicity in Nile Tilapia Fingerlings

Abstract The dietary effects of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) leaves powder (RLP) were tested on the performance and welfare of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings subjected to lead (Pb) toxicity. Two hundred fish (31.9±0.28 g) were stocked into 20 85-L glass aquaria (10 fish/aquarium) to represent four treatments with five replicates each. Fish were fed on 0.0% (control; T1) and 1.0% RLP (T2) along with continuous exposure to either 0.0 (T3) or 7.94 mg Pb/L (T4) for 60 days. Compared with the control diet, feeding Nile tilapia on RLP alone improved the growth performance and hemato-biochemical, antioxidant, and immunological indices. Conversely, the Pb toxicity negatively affected hematocrit, hemoglobin, white and red blood cell counts, and growth indices. Furthermore, Pb exposure raised blood cortisol, glucose, total cholesterol, serum transaminases (ALT and AST levels), alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase accompanied with significant reductions in serum total lipids, protein, albumin, and globulin values. Furthermore, Pb exposure decreased respiratory burst, lysozyme, total immunoglobulins, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity. On the other hand, dietary RLP significantly reduced the negative impacts of Pb toxicity on the above-mentioned indices. Additionally, the dietary RLP reduced the Pb accumulation in Pb-intoxicated fish leading to significant enhancements in Nile tilapia’s growth and welfare. These findings suggest that dietary 1% RLP significantly enhanced the fish performance and welfare status and could alleviate the Pb toxicity effects on Nile tilapia performance and welfare.

The importance of Azolla aquatic plants in creating a natural sustainable nutrient environment in the fisheries industry

The article analyzes data on the cultivation of Azolla in different nutrient media and economic efficiency in fisheries. Azolla has a high nutritional value compared to other aquatic plants because it is a source of protein with almost all the essential amino acids needed for animal nutrition. In the selected nutrient medium, the green mass of Azolla increased several times. Technical regulations have been developed for growing Azolla in different nutrient media in open conditions. The results of a chemical study of the green mass of Azolla showed that in the selected nutrient medium the proportion of protein increased several times. This study analyzes the efficiency of feeding nile tilapia with Azolla one of the aquatic plants.

The protective efficacy of dual dietary rosemary plus cinnamon mix against lead nitrate-induced immune suppression, genotoxicity, and oxidant/antioxidant status in Nile tilapia fingerlings

Lead (Pb) is a common heavy metal, which negatively influences the health and performance of aquatic organisms. The aquatic pollution with Pb is increasing day after day due to the increase in human activities, agricultural, and mining activities among others. Lead was regarded as oxidative stressor causing mutagenic and physiological disorders in aquatic animals. Hence, the current perspective assessed the promoting effects of dietary mixture of rosemary plus cinnamon (R + C) intervention on growth, hemato-biochemical, and hepatic oxidative biomarkers in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to a sub-lethal dose of lead nitrate (7.94 mg Pb/L) for 60 days. Fish were distributed into four equal groups; T1 was kept as a control group, T2 was fed on 10 g R + C/kg feed, and T3 and T4 were fed on the control diet and 10 g R + C/kg feed, respectively, along with lead nitrate exposure. Findings of the present study indicated that, upon exposure to Pb (T3), growth, hemato-biochemical, and immune indices in Nile tilapia were notably reduced compared with that of the control group (T1). Meanwhile, stress (blood glucose, cortisol, total cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase), hepatic oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) biomarkers, and DNA fragmentation percentage were significantly augmented in T3 vs T1. Additionally, exposing fish to lead nitrate caused immune suppression compared with the control group (T3 vs T1). On the other hand, the dietary supplementation of R + C mix to Nile tilapia (T2) enhanced its growth performance, antioxidant, and immune status. Feeding Pb-intoxicated Nile tilapia on R + C mix (T4) mitigated the oxidative damage and immune suppression induced by lead nitrate exposure compared with T3. Based on the present study outcomes, we opine that feeding Nile tilapia with rosemary plus cinnamon mixture (10 g/kg feed) has protective effects against lead nitrate-induced stress, physiological alterations, and oxidative damage.

Exogenous β-Propeller Phytase and Prebiotic Mannan Oligosaccharide (MOS) Supplementation of Formulated Diets Applied to Juvenile Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus: Impact on Growth Performance and Nutrient Digestibility

The growth of the aquafeed sector is highly dependent upon the availability of fish feed with a balanced nutritional composition. The use of prebiotics and probiotics can be an effective solution to increase the bioavailability of feed components. In this study, we evaluated the effect of dietary supplementation with β-propeller phytase (0, 600, 1200, 1800 and 2400 U/kg) from Bacillus and mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) (0, 2, 4 and 8 g/kg) on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of Nile tilapia over 45 days. The findings showed that adding phytase significantly (p < 0.05) increases the growth performance and nutrient digestibility; the 1200 and 1800 U/kg PHY levels showed the maximum weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) and best feed conversion ratio (FCR). Furthermore, phytase increases carcass mineral composition (phosphate and calcium). At the end of the experiment, there were no significant differences among all feeding groups in survival rates (above 90%). Regarding MOS inclusion, insignificant differences were seen in WG, SGR and SR. However, significant effects of MOS were observed on FCR, feed intake (FI) and PER when supplemented at 4 and 8 g/kg of feed. Taken together, our results suggest that supplementation of Nile tilapia feed with adequate amounts of β-propeller phytase from Bacillus and MOS increases growth performance and nutrient digestibility.

Nutritional programming in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Effect of low dietary protein on growth and the intestinal microbiome and transcriptome.

Nutritional programming is the idea that early nutrient contributions can influence organismal structure or function and is documented in a variety of vertebrates, yet studies in fish are largely lacking. Tilapia are an important foodfish, with global production having increased rapidly since the 1990s. They exhibit high disease-resistance and grow well on formulated feeds which makes them an ideal aquaculture species, however incorporating high quality proteins into feeds can be costly. As feed constitutes 50-70% of total production costs in aquaculture, reducing protein content could curb these costs and increase revenue. Thus, we examined the effects of feeding Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) fry a restricted protein diet for the first 7-21 days on growth, gut microbial flora, and the intestinal transcriptome. Fish were fed either a 25% restricted or 48% control crude protein starter (ST) diet for up to 21 days and then switched to a 25% or 38% control crude protein growout (GO) diet. Fish fed a 25% ST diet for 14 days followed by a 38% GO diet had significantly higher lengths and weights and better feed efficiency than fish fed the control 48% ST and 38% GO diet after 56 days of culture. Growth of fry on the 25% ST, 7-day/38% GO and the 25% ST,7-day/25% GO diets did not differ from the those fed the control protein diets, while fish fed the 25% ST diet for 21 days had significantly lower growth and survival rates. We observed no significant differences in either alpha or beta diversity of the gut microbial flora between diets, however species richness (Shannon Index) was higher in fry fed the 25% protein ST diet regardless of the GO diet. Similarly, fish fed the 25% ST diet for 14 days followed by the 38% GO diet had minimal changes to the intestinal transcriptome relative to fish fed the control 48% ST and 38% GO diet. However, those fed 25% ST and GO diets for the entire 56 days exhibited substantial differences in the gut transcriptome from other groups showing gene expression profiles characteristic of detrimental changes to gut physiology, protein metabolism and immune function. Results suggest protein restriction for up to 14 days early in development leads to enhanced growth and feed efficiency with minimal effects on gut microbes or intestinal function. Protein restriction beyond this period appears detrimental to fish growth and health as underscored by expression of disease related genes and higher mortality rates.

CLINICAL SAFETY OF IVERMECTIN TREATMENT IN NILE TILAPIA, Oreochromis niloticus

Ivermectin belongs to the group of avermectins, a group of macrocyclic lactones produced by Streptomyces avermitilis, this drug is widely used in the treatment of endoparasitoses and ectoparasitosis in different species of mammals around the world. Based on this need to develop an adequate sanitary management of fish farms and the therapeutic importance of macrocyclic lactones, this study aimed to evaluate the clinical safety of ivermectin administered orally as part of the feed for Nile tilapia (O. niloticus). For this, 56 tilapias (O. niloticus), ±100g, were placed in 7 aquariums (n=8) with a capacity of 100 L of water, supplied with running water devoid of chlorine, with the following treatments being preserved: T0 (Control, untreated), T1 and T2 (treated with 125 and 625µg/kg-1 of ivermectin, respectively). Blood samples were collected for hemogram, leukogram and evaluation of serum biochemical parameters, in addition to organs such as spleen, liver and kidneys (cranial and caudal) for somatic evaluation. The results admired an increase in serum levels of ALT, AST and glycemia, a reduction in cholesterol and triglyceride values ​​at the highest dose, in addition to a decrease in total protein levels and liver somatic analysis. There was no change in hematological parameters, while the leukocyte profile indicated a significant increase in total leukocytes in treated tilapia with lymphocytosis and neutrophilia.. Therefore, treatment with high doses of ivermectin can harm the health of Nile tilapia, requiring additional studies to establish safe therapeutic protocols for these animals.

Comparative Study of Growth and Survival of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) on Different Feed Types

This study aimed to compare the growth and survival of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed with three different feed types: homemade feed (control), commercial feed, and earthworm-enriched feed. A total of 135 Nile tilapia with an average weight of 6.2 g and length of 6.5 cm were stocked in 9 hapas, with 15 fish per hapa. The fish were reared for 62 days, and growth performance, survival rate, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured. The results showed that the final average weight and length of Nile tilapia fed with earthworm-enriched feed were higher than those fed with homemade and commercial feed. The highest mean weight gain (18.45 g) and mean length gain (4.7 cm) were observed in Nile tilapia fed with earthworm-enriched feed (T3R1). The FCR of Nile tilapia fed with earthworm-enriched feed (1.65) was lower than that of the other two groups. Moreover, the survival rate of Nile tilapia fed with earthworm-enriched feed was 100%, while the survival rate of Nile tilapia fed with homemade and commercial feed was 93.3% and 66.7%, respectively. In conclusion, earthworm-enriched feed showed superior performance in terms of growth and survival rate of Nile tilapia. This feed type can be considered as a potential alternative to the traditional homemade and commercial feed in the aquaculture industry. Further studies on the economic feasibility of using earthworm enriched feed for Nile tilapia are recommended.

Digestibility of Feed Supplemented with Common Pleco Meal and Its Impact on The Growth of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.)

Common pleco is a wild fish whose habitat occupies a lot of reservoir areas and public waters in Indonesia. The amount is abundant and not consumed by humans, is a great potential to be used as a source of animal protein in fish feed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the digestibility of common pleco fish meal in artificial feed for nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus.) The study was carried out at the Aquaculture Laboratory Hatchery, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, while the manufacture of common pleco meal, proximate analysis of feed ingredients and the test feed was carried out by the Laboratory of Chemistry and Animal Feed, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Universitas Padjadjaran. The design used in this study was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of 5 (five) treatments and 3 (three) replications. The treatment given was the addition of common pleco flour in artificial feed at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. The parameters observed in this study consisted of digestibility, growth rate, and water quality. The results of the research on some of these parameters indicate that the addition of common pleco meal can still be used in artificial feed up to 10%. The tilapia studied had the highest relative growth with a value of 0.218%. The digestibility level of the studied feed reached a value of 85.256%, and the water quality studied was still within the safe tolerance limits for fish farming. Based on the results of this study, the negative effect on the survival rate of tilapia did not occur until the addition of common pleco flour to artificial feed reached 10%. Thus, the fish meal has the potential as an alternative to fish meal in fish feed formulations.

Appraisal of fermented wheat bran by Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth, feed utilization, blood indices, intestinal and liver histology of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

This work is an additional attempt to increase the nutritive value of wheat bran and to provide a solution to the problem of high fiber contents in this by-product. Wheat bran (WB) was fermented by baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to figure out its impact on crude fiber (CF), crude protein (CP), and amino acids profile as well as fed Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to determine the effects on the feed utilization, growth, blood indices, and intestinal and liver histology. Yeast fermentation of wheat bran (YFWB) reduced fibers from 13.02% to 9.28%, raised WB CP to 22.35%, increased total amino acids, and reduced phytic acid from 4.31 mg g−1 to 0.08 mg g−1. By inclusion YFWB at different levels (0%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) in tilapia diets, four isonitrogenous practical diets were formed. During 70 days, each diet was fed to three replicates groups of fish weighing 6.36 ± 0.005 g at the start. Fish fed Diet 2 (20% YFWB) had the best final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) using polynomial regression. Nonetheless, tilapia hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBCs, monocytes, lymphocytes, and neutrophils increased linearly (P = 0.023; P = 0.02; P = 0.011; P = 0.023; P = 0.042; P = 0.025; P = 0.056; P = 0.025; P = 0.012, respectively) as the level of YFWB increased in the diet. The inclusion of YFWB in tilapia diets resulted in a linear reduction in the profile of lipids, which comprises triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C, Non-HDL, and VLDL-cholesterol, but had no influence effect. The dry matter, ash, lipid, and protein contents did not affect either linearly or quadratically (P > 0.05) by adding YFWB in diets. It is possible to infer that fermentation of wheat bran by baker's yeast (S. cerevisiae) increases protein content while decreasing fiber content; its inclusion up to 20% in tilapia diets enhances development, feed utilization, blood indices, and intestinal and liver architecture.

Optimization of feed for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) using an Excel programming model in small-scale feed-mixing operations in Togo.

This study aims to develop an Excel programming model to formulate feed for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), mainly for small- and medium-sized fish feed manufacturers. The model allows users to formulate the least costly balanced diet of Nile tilapia species, giving them the ability to choose a specific ingredient in the formulation according to the realities of the local environment: space-temporary availability of ingredients, prices and nutritional quality. Computer programming of a database of 25 locally available feed components was carried out using the Excel Solver Add-in and Excel IF mathematical functions to incorporate/delete specific ingredients in real time in accordance with user objectives. The theoretical characteristics of the least-cost balanced diets performed were within the margin of the nutrients requirement of the target fish size with protein levels of 35 per cent (fry diet: $1.07/kg), 32 per cent (fingerlings diet: $0.48/kg), 29 per cent (growth diet: $0.43/kg) and 27.12 per cent (final diet: $0.39/kg). The digestible energy of these diets was between 3016.5 ± 93.8kcal. In addition, the model shows that an increase in soya meal prices by 75 per cent led the local feed industry to rely on imported fish meals, as the number included reached 52.28 per cent. However, the cost of the diet margin did not vary significantly. Nevertheless, it would be important to test the balanced diet developed with the model before production and scaling.

The influence of napier grass biomass mixed feed on the biorefinery indicator for Nile tilapia production.

Aquaculture is vital for feeding a growing population as aquatic creatures require more protein. Utilizing protein-rich biomass for feeding animals is a possible solution. Biorefinery technology can extract protein and non-protein components from biomass, creating an economically feasible value chain. This study replaced fish feed with napier grass and used a compensatory response to reduce the cost of feeding Nile tilapia. The trial involved dividing mono-sex male Nile tilapia, initially weighing between 11.10 and 13.60 g/f, into four groups with three replications based on their feeding regime. Therefore, in the study, four groups of Nile tilapia were fed different diets for 90 days. The control group (T1) received a commercial floating pellet diet throughout the trial. Group T2 and T3 received a mix of commercial floating pellet diet and napier grass in varying proportions, and group T4 was fed with only napier grass throughout the trial. The study found that groups T2 and T3 had remarkable fish growth performance, high digestibility of napier grass, and lower feed prices with the highest benefit-cost ratios. The percentage of edible flesh and Hepatosomatic Index (PT2) were higher in group T2 than T3. Cellulase activity decreased with the frequency of napier grass intake, and the amylase activity was higher in T2 than T3, which also had the highest growth performance and feed utilization. Therefore, the study suggests that the optimal feeding regimen for Nile tilapia is T2 or T3, which promotes growth and is cost-effective.

Feed for Nile tilapia broodstock and offspring supplemented with purified nucleotides boosts the juvenile’s health, growth, and the resistance face to transport and Aeromonas hydrophila challenges

This study evaluated the effects of feeding Nile tilapia broodstock and offspring with diets containing purified nucleotides on the health, growth, and resistance of juveniles subjected to different challenges. The broodstock received feed containing 0.0, 2.5, or 5.0 g nucleotides (NT) kg−1, and the offspring received feed containing 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, or 7.5 g NT kg−1. Growth and survival were evaluated on 45-days-old tilapia likewise the survival face to challenge by transport also was assessed. After, the growth, survival, hematological parameters, liver and plasma biochemical parameters were assessed on 105-days-old tilapia, likewise these parameters were also assessed on 105-days-old tilapia challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila. The growth of 45-day-old tilapia was affected by offspring feeding (p < 0.05), which those fed on 2.5 and 7.5 g NT kg−1 presented greater body weight. The survival and vigor of 45-days-old tilapia was affected (p < 0.05) by broodstock feeding (p < 0.05). The 45-days-old tilapia from breeders fed on 0.0 and 2.5 g NT kg−1 presented a higher survival, whereas 45-days-old tilapia from breeders fed on 2.5 and 5.0 g NT kg−1 presented a higher survival after transport. Broodstock and offspring fed with 2.5 g NT kg−1 produced larger 105-days-old tilapia (p < 0.05), which presented less liver lipoperoxidation (p < 0.05) and provided a greater biomass (p < 0.05). The 105-days-old tilapia fed with 2.5 g NT kg−1 that were from breeders fed on non-supplemented feed presented less hepatic superoxide dismutase activity after being challenged with bacteria. Broodstock and offspring both fed on 2.5 g NT kg−1 afforded 105-days-old tilapia with the lowest hepatic alanine aminotransferase and greater survival face to bacteria challenged. The dietary supplementation of purified nucleotides for both broodstock and offspring enabled early development and boosted the antioxidative status and liver integrity of 45 and 105-days-old Nile tilapia, resulting in better growth, health, and resistance when faced with different challenges.