Oreochromis Niloticus Fingerlings Research Articles

Effect of stocking density on growth performance, survival and production of Monosex Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under nursery ponds in northern regions of Bangladesh

The present study was to assess and evaluate the culture potential of Tengra with short-cycle species in the seasonal water bodies of farmers’ fields and disseminate the cultural technologies in a different part of the country. The research study was evaluating the improvement of nursery management technique in drought prone area of Northern region in farmer field level. Before conducting research fish farmers of Different upazila were selected by departmental authority and pre training management. Growth, survival and production performances of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings were evaluated for 40 days in nine nursery ponds having an area of 20 decimal each with an average depth of 1.0 m. Three stocking densities such as 1000 dec-1 (T1=Treatment-1), 1200 dec-1 (T2= Treatment-2) and 1400 dec-1 (T3=Treatment-3) were tested with three replications. Fry were fed with commercial nursery feed (30% crude protein). The rate of feeding was 25% to 8% of the estimated body weight of fry. The physico-chemical and biological parameters of pond water were within the suitable range for fish culture. Growth in terms of final weight, final length, weight gain, length gain and specific growth rate was significantly higher in T1 than those obtained from T2 and T3. The survival of fish fingerlings was higher in T1(85.67%) than T3 (76%) and T2 (83%) respectively. Maximum of fingerlings was produced in T2 than those in T1 and T3. Among the treatments evaluated, 1000 dec-1 was the best stocking density considering the growth performance of the fingerlings of monosex Tilapia, O. niloticus in nursery ponds.

Comparative Study of the Productivity and Some Economical Aspects of the Conventional Rice and Rice-Fish Farmings Systems in Agonlin-Lowé Village, Adjohoun, Bénin

The main idea of this work was to compare the productivities of rice farming systems and rice rice- fish polyculture in the same fish ponds. The experiment was conducted in six (06) different compartments with a total area of 300 m² between March and August 2022. The test was carried out with 600 fry including 400 fingerlings of Oreochromis niloticus and seedlings of rice (Variety IR 841). The initial average weights of fish in rice-fish culture without food supply and with food supply were respectively 9.7 g and 9.8 g. After 72 days, the variations of the physico-chemical parameters showed no significant difference between the compartments. In rice-fish farming, in the compartments without food supply, the average yield was 2.17 t/ha and in the compartments with food supply this average was 2.33 t/ha against 2.04 t/ha in the rice fields. In the associated culture, food intake was favorable with a mass gain of 6.9 g compared to 1.4 g obtained in the second pound. Also, the rice yields and the growth performance of fish O. niloticus were significantly (p > 0.05) higher than those obtained in conventional rice cultivation. Also monitoring the growth of farmed fish must continue in order to assess the performance achieved as well as the financial benefits for good promotion of the sector.

Acute toxicity of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings exposed to effluent from Delta State University, Abraka Nigeria boys hostel

Studies on aquatic pollution are crucial for maintaining environmental health. This study assessed the toxicity of effluents from the male hostel site II at Delta State University (DELSU) on Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings. Behavioral responses and mortality rates were observed as toxicity indicators. The physicochemical characteristics of the raw effluent were evaluated and compared with standard methods. In a 96-hour static bioassay, 20 fingerlings were exposed to varying effluent concentrations: 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%, with the experiment triplicated. Analysis showed pH (5.6), temperature (26.1°C), TDS (304 mg/L), dissolved oxygen (5.7 mg/L), chlorine (5.55 mg/L), ammonia (0.21 mg/L), and hardness (0.79 mg/L). Water analysis over 12-96 hours ranged for pH (5.45-5.62), temperature (22.50-26.30°C), TDS (61.50-237.50 mg/L), DO (4.45-6.00 mg/L), chlorine (0.84-3.98 mg/L), ammonia (0.14-0.37 mg/L), and hardness (6.52-31.93 mg/L), with no statistically significant differences (p>0.05). Behavioral responses included air gulping, irregular swimming, and lack of reflex. Mortality depended on effluent concentration, with no deaths at 0%-80% but 80% mortality at 100%. Lethal times for 50% and 95% mortality at 100% concentration were 48.6 and 102.8 hours, respectively. Diluting or treating wastewater before release is necessary to prevent fish mortality in the wild.

Biosecurity protocols and fish health management in Kenyan fish hatcheries: a key to sustainable production of quality fish seed

Aquaculture, or aquafarming, is increasingly becoming a vital farming activity globally to meet exponentially high demand for fish and reduce pressure on global capture fisheries. In Kenya, aquaculture growth has led to concerns over the supply of quality fish seed, with farmers often reporting involving fingerling adulteration and mislabelling where frog tadpoles are packed and supplied as Clarias gariepinus fingerlings and mixed-sex Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings are falsely sold to fish farmers as sex-reversed monosex Nile tilapia. This study aims to identify strategies to enhance the quality of fish seed production in the country. Primary data were collected via questionnaires and interviews using the Kobo toolbox. Respondents were selected through purposive and random sampling. The SPSS software was used for the analysis. Findings showed moderate reliance on specific reporting offices for fish disease cases and significant variation in disease types and bio security measures. Fish disease treatment and management practices were more engaged by hatchery operators than disease reporting. No significant differences were found between disease treatment and management, type of fish diseases encountered at the hatchery, and the nature of fingerlings produced (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference between the source of broodstock, biosecurity measures, type of fish diseases encountered, and the Disease Case Reporting Office (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found between biosecurity measures and the period when the hatchery was established (p > 0.05). Lack of financial support, inexperienced workforce, and a lack of knowledge in fish disease identification and treatment were the major problems affecting the sustainability of hatchery operations in the country. Aquaculture policymakers should establish financial support for hatcheries, implement disease management training, promote research collaborations for disease surveillance, and incentivize biosecurity measures among hatchery managers and farmers to improve aquaculture sustainability in Kenya. Further research should explore treatment methods and long-term sustainability to mitigate disease risks.

Effectiveness of feeding different biochars on growth, digestibility, body composition, hematology and mineral status of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings (5.15 ± 0.02 g; n = 315) were fed with different types of biochar (BC)-supplemented sunflower meal-based (SFM) diet to investigate the effects of various BC inclusions on their nutritional digestibility, body composition, hematology and mineral status for 60 days. Seven different diets were formulated based on the SFM based diet: one was a control (TD-I, CON) and the other six diets were supplemented with 2% BC derived from different sources. These BCs were derived from the following: cotton stick (CSBC, TD-II), wheat straw (WSBC, TD-III), corn cob (CCBC, TD-IV), house waste (HWBC, TD-V), grass waste (GWBC, TD-VI), and green waste (GwBC, TD-VII) biochar. There were three replicates for each test diet. Each tank had fifteen tilapia fingerlings, and they were fed with 5% of their live wet weight and twice daily. The outcomes showed that the supplementation of CCBC significantly elevated the growth, nutrient absorption, and body composition of the O. niloticus fingerlings (p < 0.05); with concomitant lowering of the quantity of nutrients released into the water bodies whereas HWBC gave negative impacts. The maximal mineral absorption efficiency (Ca, Na, K, Cu, Fe, P, and Zn) was achieved by the supplementation of 2% CCBC. All hematological parameters showed positive improvements (p < 0.05) with CCBC. Interestingly, CCBC significantly improved the growth, digestibility, body composition, hematology, and mineral status of O. niloticus.

The effects of dietary Spirulina platensis or curcumin nanoparticles on performance, body chemical composition, blood biochemical, digestive enzyme, antioxidant and immune activities of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings

ContextRecently, prioritize has been given to using natural phytogenic or nano compounds as growth promoters and immunostimulants in fish diets as an alternative to antibiotics.AimsThe main propose of this trial was to determine the impact of supplementing diets with spirulina or curcumin nanoparticles on the performance and health indicators of Nile tilapia fingerlings.MethodsIn a 56-day feeding trial, 180 tilapia fingerlings were assigned into three main groups, as follows: 1st, control group, 2nd, Spirulina platensis (SP; 5 g kg-1 diet) and 3rd, curcumin nanoparticles (CUR-NPs; 30 mg kg-1 diet).Key resultsIncorporating tilapia diets with SP or CUR-NPs significantly improved performance, body chemical analysis, blood biochemical and hematological indices, digestive enzyme activities, and antioxidant and immunostimulant features compared to the control.ConclusionFortified tilapia diets with CUR-NPs or SP efficiently boost the productivity and health of Nile tilapia fingerlings.ImplicationsThe research introduces new practical solutions for applying safe feed additives as alternatives to antibiotics in tilapia farming.

Effects of Supplementation of Insoluble Dietary Fiber Obtained from Cinnamon Spent Bark Waste on the Performance of Nile Tilapia (&lt;em&gt;Oreochromis niloticus&lt;/em&gt;) Fingerlings

Dietary fiber supplementation has proven benefits on fish health and growth. Cinnamon spent bark waste is the cinnamon bark residue after oil distillation. It is a rich source of insoluble dietary fiber with very low contents of soluble dietary fiber. This study aimed to investigate the potential of using water-extracted insoluble fiber from cinnamon spent bark waste as a functional ingredient in the diets of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings. Four experimental diets were prepared by replacing a commercial feed with extracted dietary fiber at 0 (control), 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% levels. Fingerlings of O. niloticus were assigned to the four experimental diets and the feeding trial was conducted for 12 weeks. The results revealed that the weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, Fulton’s condition factor, and survival rate of fish were not significantly different among the experimental groups. Fiber supplementation at 1.5% significantly increased (p&lt;0.05) the total aerobic bacteria population in feces, whereas the coliform counts in feces at 0.5% and 1% fiber supplementation were significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) than the control. There was a significant increase (p&lt;0.05) in red blood cells count at 0.5% fiber supplementation. Moreover, insoluble dietary fiber supplementation significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased the white blood cell counts in blood. Results suggested that insoluble fiber supplementation affected gut microbial populations and blood parameters of O. niloticus fingerlings. However, further investigations on gut microbiology and hematology are needed to ensure the use of insoluble dietary fiber from cinnamon spent bark waste as a functional ingredient in the diets of O. niloticus fingerlings.

Effects of processed duckweed (Lemna paucicostata) meals as protein sources in Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) diets

Effects of processed duckweed meals as a replacement for toasted soybean meal in the diets of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings were evaluated. Sun-dried and blanched duckweed meals were used to replaced toasted soybean meal in at 25, 50, 75, and 100% each. Feed Solution Software (version 2022) was used to formulate nine iso-nitrogenous diets at 32% crude protein. 27 Hapa nets of 1 m2 each were used for the feeding trials for six months. Ten fingerlings of Oreochromis niloticus were stocked per Hapa and fed 5% body weight three times per day. The best mean weight gain (460.59 g), viscerosomatic index (9.90) and feed conversion ratio (1.82) were recorded in the fish fed 75% blanched duckweed meal while the fish fed 100% sun-dried duckweed meal and 100% blanched duckweed meal recorded the poor mean weight gain, viscerosomatic index and feed conversion ratio of 401.69 g and 394.03 g, 6.49 and 6.36, 2.06 and 2.10, respectively. The cost-benefit evaluation revealed that 75% blanched duckweed meal gave the highest net profit (₦3,682) and lowest incident cost (₦6.49). This study revealed that soybean meal can be replaced with 75% blanched duckweed meal in the diet of Oreochromis niloticus without any inauspicious effects on the growth and nutrient utilization, and will reduce the cost of production and maximize profit.

Sustainability of Growth Performance, Water Quality, and Productivity of Nile Tilapia-Spinach Affected by Feeding and Fasting Regimes in Nutrient Film Technique-Based Aquaponics

Aquaponic systems offer an innovative approach to sustainable agriculture, where the interplay between fish and plant cultivation can be optimized. The choice of feeding and fasting schedules plays a crucial role in system efficiency and overall productivity. This study aims to investigate the impacts of various feeding and fasting schedules on water quality, and the growth performance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings, and spinach productivity in an aquaponic system based on the nutrient film technique (NFT). O. niloticus fingerlings with an initial weight of 13.47 ± 0.14 g were randomly stocked at a density of 6 kg/m3, and spinach plants (Spinacia oleracea) were included. The study employed a completely randomized block design with five replications. Various water quality parameters were monitored, and the effects of different feeding/fasting schedules on fish and spinach were assessed. The data revealed significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) in water quality parameters, all of which remained within acceptable ranges for aquaponic systems. The one-day feeding/one-day fasting treatment resulted in reduced final body weight, weight gain percentage, and specific growth rate, compared to other treatment groups (p &lt; 0.05). Higher levels of glucose and plasma cortisol were observed in this treatment. Economic efficiency was highest in the daily feeding treatment (40.05%), with no statistical difference (p &gt; 0.05) observed in the group subjected to three-day feeding/one-day fasting (39.03%). Spinach yield varied significantly between treatments (p &lt; 0.05), with the daily feeding treatment recording the highest yield (2.78 kg/m2) and the one-day feeding/one-day fasting cycle having the lowest yield (1.57 kg/m2). The findings suggest that the three-day feeding/one-day fasting regime in an NFT-based aquaponic system results in efficient nutrient utilization, higher productivity, and profitability for Nile tilapia. Additionally, this approach supports marketable biomass production for spinach. Different feeding and fasting schedules have distinct effects on water quality, fish growth, and spinach productivity in aquaponic systems. The three-day feeding/one-day fasting schedule emerges as an effective strategy for optimizing resource utilization and increasing overall productivity.

Productivity of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) in an Integrated Aquaculture System

Integrated fish farming can be a solution to utilize the scarce resources efficiently and reduce waste disposal through recycling of waste. Hence, the main purpose of this experiment was to estimate the profitability and yield of vegetables (lettuce and spinach) from Oreochromis niloticus in an integrated fish farming system. A total of 114m2 lands for vegetable cultivation and a fish pond with a size of 10m×15m×1.7m were used. 200 fingerlings of Oreochromis niloticus with an average initial weight of 8.5 gram were stocked and reared at a stocking density of 1.3fish/m.2 The experimental design for vegetable production was 2×4 factorial design. The average final weight of Oreochromis niloticus after four months of rearing was 61.76g. Four treatments were used for vegetable production; treatment 1 (T1) was vegetable production using pond water, Treatment 2 (T2) was using fertilizer, treatment 3 (T3) was using compost and treatment 4 (T4) was using tap water (control group). Outcomes of the general linear model revealed that lettuce productions of T1, T2, and T3 were significantly higher than T4, while spinach productions of T1 were significantly higher than(p˂0.05), T2 and T4 but there is no significant difference from T3. Depending on the result T1 was 1.8 times more profitable than T2, 2.06 times more profitable than T3, and 11.06 times more profitable than T4. Based on the current finding, integrated fish farmers could improve fish production, vegetable yield, and net returns by integrating fish farming system with other on-farm activities.

Evaluation of fermented soybean meal by Bacillus subtilis as an alternative to fishmeal on the growth, and physiological status of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of fermented soybean meal with Bacillus subtilis bacteria on growth performance, feed utilization, carcass composition, and hematological, and histological section of the liver and intestine of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings. Commercial soybean meal (SBM) containing 44% Crude Protein (CP) was fermented using the solid-state fermentation method which depended on autoclaving of SBM, then bacterial treatment injection by Bacillus subtilis, and finally incubation at 40C for 72 h then autoclaved to stop the growth of bacteria. Five isonitrogenous (25% crude protein) and isocaloric (4.4 kcal\\g gross energy) experimental fish meal-free diets were formulated to compare with a common control diet containing fishmeal and unfermented soybean meal. Diets without fish meal contain fermented soybean meal (FSM) as a sole protein, FSM with corn gluten (CG), FSM with free amino acid methionine (Meth), FSM with corn gluten and methionine, and unfermented soybean meal. Eighteen glass aquaria, 80-L net volume, were used to stock 10 fingerlings (10.0 ± 0.1 g/fish) in each aquarium in the replicates group. The feed amount was given three times daily, six days a week throughout the 98 days experimental period. Fish were weighed biweekly and feed amounts were adjusted based on the new fish weight. Bacterial fermentation enhanced the protein content of commercial soybean meals by 6%. The crude protein of fermented soybean meal increased from 43.44% to 50.67%. Used of FSM as a sole dietary protein source resulted in a decrease in growth rate and feed utilization. However, the incorporation of FSM with corn gluten, and/or methionine amino acid led to an improvement in the performance of fish. Finally, the best final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, and protein productive value were recorded by a fish-fed mixed plant protein diet (FSM + CG + Meth). Also, Hematocrit and red blood cells were not significantly affected including the FSM.

Effects of water additive probiotic, Pediococcus acidilactici on growth performance, feed utilization, hematology, gene expression and disease resistance against Aspergillus flavus of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Probiotics are live beneficial Micro-organism introduced into the gastrointestinal tract through food or water, probiotics confer several benefits and play important roles in improving growth performances, disease resistance, immunity, health status, gut microbiome, and water quality. The present study examined the effects of water additive probiotic, Pediococcus acidilactici, on growth performance, feed utilization, hematology, gene expression, and disease resistance in tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings challenged with fungus (Aspergillus flavus). Triplicate groups of Nile tilapia fingerlings (20.0 ± 0.4 g) were fed a commercial diet in four water treatments control (0 g/m3), 0.1PA (0.1 g//m3), 0.2PA (0.2 g/m3) and 0.3PA (0.3 g/m3) of P. acidilactici respectively. The water quality parameters particularly total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and ammonia (NH3) decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in all three water treatments 0.3PA treatment was the lowest) when compared to the control treatment. The highest significant values (P ≤ 0.05) of growth performance, feed utilization and hematology recorded of either 0.2PA or 0.3PA group, in addition, the expression of innate immune genes were significantly upregulated (P ≤ 0.05) of tilapia fingerling at 0.3PA group compared to the control. The results also showed that juveniles reared in three water treatments with additive probiotics had a significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) mortality when challenged with Aspergillus flavus. Hence, the water additive probiotic used in this study is a promising solution as an alternative product to improve the water quality, growth, and health of O. niloticus.

Profitability of Using Five Different Commercial Tilapia Starter Feeds on the Ghanaian Market in Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus Fingerlings Production

Choice and use of fish feed should not only depend on good fish growth but also, on higher returns on investment. Growth performance and cost-effectiveness of five tilapia starter feeds (Aller Aqua, ARDECFeed, Koudijs, Naam Papa and Raanan) to produce Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings were investigated. The feeds, with crude protein (CP) contents ranging from 42.0 to 60.0%, were randomly coded A, B, C, D and E. The study was conducted in fifteen fine mesh net hapas, each of dimensions 5.0x2.0x1.2 m, installed in three 0.2-hectare earthen ponds with each containing a replicate of each feed type. Nile tilapia fry, ranging from 0.05 to 0.08 g with an initial mean weight of 0.06±0.01 g were stocked at 500 fry hapa-1 and they were fed at 20.0% of their biomass; three times daily. The feeding rate was reduced to 10% when the fry attained mean weights ranging from 1.0 to 5.0 g and finally to 5.0% when they were greater than 5.0 g. The feeding trial lasted for nine weeks (63 days). Fry final mean weight ranged from 17.34±9.12 to 23.62±14.39 g, with B being significantly higher (Tukey`s HSDT, P&lt;0.05) whilst there were no significant differences (ANOVA, P&gt;0.05) among A, C, D and E. The profit indices ranged from 4.13±0.55 to 14.63±0.38, with D being the highest and B, the least. Hence, tilapia hatchery operators should opt for feeds that give higher profit indices, lower production and incidence costs for fingerlings production.

Assessment of Dietary Supplementation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus Probiotic on Growth Performance and Disease Resistance in Oreochromis niloticus.

Probiotics play a significant role in aquaculture by improving the growth, health, and survival rate of fish against pathogenic organisms. In the present study, we have evaluated the effects of a Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) probiotic on growth performance and disease resistance in Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus) fingerlings. Four different concentrations of L. rhamnosus (T1: 0.5 × 1010, T2: 1 × 1010, T3: 1.5 × 1010, and T4: 2 × 1010 CFU/kg feed) were administered to fish over a period of three months. L. rhamnosus treated fish revealed a high growth increment as compared to the control, and the values of macromolecules (amino acids, fatty acids, and carbohydrates) varied significantly among the treated and control groups. Levels of thyroid hormones were noted to be high in the probiotic-treated groups. A challenge assay was performed with Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila). The optimum calculated concentration of probiotics from the growth assay (1.5 × 1010 CFU/kg feed) was used for the challenge assay. Fish were divided into four groups as follows: control (Con), probiotic-treated (PL), infected (I), and infected + probiotic-treated (I + PL) groups. Significant variations in hematological parameters were observed among control and treated groups. Histopathological changes were recorded in infected fish, while the infected + probiotic-treated group showed less deformations indicating the positive effect of the probiotic supplementation. The survival rate of fish was also better in the probiotic-treated group. Based on these findings, we conclude that probiotic supplementation enhances the growth and improves immunity of O. niloticus. Therefore, we propose that probiotics can be used as promising feed supplements for promoting fish production and disease resistance in aquaculture.

Impact of Different Concentration of Thorn Apple (Datura stramonium) Extract on Growth, Histopathology and Blood Profiles Response to Sub- Lethal Exposure of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Juveniles

This study investigated the toxic effects of Datura stramonium leaves extract on growth, histopathology and blood profiles of Oreochromis niloticus juveniles. Datura stramonium leaves extract of various concentrations were prepared at 0.00 (control), 0.002, 0.02 and 0.2 ml/L for 28 days and 10 days withdrawal in triplicate. Twenty (20) Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings (6.05±0.01g) were randomly distributed into each experimental bowl containing 45 L of treatment concentrations. Biological evaluation, blood profiles parameters, and histology of the exposed fish were determined. The result shows an increase within the weight gain and the weight gain was higher in the exposed groups expect TAL 4 than the control. There was no significant difference (P&gt;0.05) among the treatments. The haematological response to D. stramonium exposures shows that the values of packed cell volume and haemoglobin were higher in the exposed groups compared to the control while the white blood cell, neutrophils, and lymphocytes decrease as the concentration of the plant increases and were lower than the control. The result revealed a higher value of total protein and albumin in the exposed groups compared to the control. There were decreased in the values of ALT and AST when compared to the control and the values of total protein, albumin, ALT and AST after 10 days of withdrawal show a similar trend in values obtained before the experiment. The result of histopathology shows no observable lesions were observed in control group while there were moderate alterations in gills, liver and the intestine of the exposed groups. This investigation revealed that continuous use of the D. stramonium leaves extract in the aquatic environment will affects the growth, blood profiles and histopathology of the exposed fish.

Physiological and immunological responses of Nile tilapia fed dietary supplementation of sweet basil ethanolic and aqueous extracts

The use of phytotherapy in aquaculture is rapidly increasing for more environmentally sustainable measures. The present work aimed to investigate the effects of different dietary levels of sweet basil, Ocimum basilicum, leaves ethanol (BEE) or aqueous (BAE) extracts (0, 200, 300, and 500 mg/kg) on Oreochromis niloticus growth, digestive enzyme activities, hemato-biochemical profile, antioxidant status, immune responses, and resistance against Streptococcus agalactiae. Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings (40.00 ± 1.00 g/fish, n = 210) were randomly divided into seven triplicated groups (control, BEE200, BEE300, BEE500, BAE200, BAE300, and BAE500) and fed the experimental diets for 8 weeks. The results revealed that dietary inclusion of BEE and BAE significantly improved final weight, weight gain, survival, and digestive enzyme activities. The growth response revealed a dose-dependent in favor of fish fed BEE. The hemato-biochemical biomarkers showed a significant improvement in RBCs, WBCs, hemoglobin, and lymphocyte, and a significant decrease in aminotransferases, creatinine, and cholesterol levels with dietary basil extracts. The cellular and humoral immune responses (phagocytic activity, phagocytic index, lysozyme activity, immunoglobulin) were significantly improved with increasing BEE and BAE in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of IL-1β and TNF-α genes were increased, while TGF-β was decreased in a dose-dependent manner and BEE500 have the highest expression. The antioxidant balance was improved with increasing basil extracts supplementation, and the BEE500 group showed the best antioxidant status. Dietary BEE and BAE increased Nile tilapia resistance to S. agalactiae. In conclusion, the dietary supplementation of both ethanolic and aqueous extracts could improve the growth performance and physiological, and immune-antioxidant status of Nile tilapia.

Behavioural Response of Oreochromis niloticus Fingerlings Exposed to Sub-Lethal Concentrations of Imidacloprid

Imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid pesticide that was once thought to be a solution to environmental pollution caused by previous pesticides like organophosphates and organochlorines has raised global concern recently. The present study aimed at assessing the effect of Imidacloprid on the behaviour of a commercially important fish species, Oreochromis niloticus. The study involved a 48 h sub-lethal toxicity test which was carried out with 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 ppm of Imidacloprid. Fingerlings of O. niloticus weighing between 18 and 32g were exposed to these concentrations in a static bioassay with continuous aeration. Regular observation of the clinical signs revealed that fish exposed to higher concentrations of Imidacloprid displayed behavioural abnormalities such as erratic behaviour, respiratory stress, and irregular nervousness. The findings of this study revealed that Imidacloprid is toxic and causes behavioural distress on O. niloticus fingerlings. Therefore, there is urgent need for further studies to determine safe limit of Imidacloprid and other pesticides in the environment. Unregulated disposal of toxic pesticides should be avoided, to ensure human safety and environmental sustainability.

New Insights into the Effectiveness of Fungi-Degraded Date Pits Supplemented Diet on the Physiological and Biological Indices of Oreochromis niloticus Fingerlings

New Insights into the Effectiveness of Fungi-Degraded Date Pits Supplemented Diet on the Physiological and Biological Indices of Oreochromis niloticus Fingerlings

The effect of different dose on biological performance and its correlation with growth of nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study was to find out the biological effects of different feed dose and their relationship to the growth of tilapia. Fingerlings of Oreochromis niloticus, with an average initial weight range of 4.42 - 4.44 g were randomly distributed into three treatments and replicated 3 times using concrete fish container.The treatments were three feed doses namely: 5% (A); 8% (B); adlibitum (C) of 32% crude protein floating pellet feed, in crumble-shaped. The effect of different dose on growth and its correlation were determined. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine of initial, final and absolut weight, Average body weight (ABW) and Average daily growth (ADG). Feed conversion ratio, survival rate and biomass were also counted. Polynomial analysis was further used to prove whether the amount of feed provided is effective for fish growth. Temperature, pH, disolleved oxygen and ammnonia were test. The results noted that biological performance parameters were not signifanctly different (p ≥ 0.05) between treatments. Polynomial results showed for its growth tilapia fish using 98-99% of the feed given. The results of water quality parameters indicated an optimal range value to growth of nile tilapia.

New Insights into the Effectiveness of Fungi-Degraded Date Pits Supplemented Diet on the Physiological and Biological Indices of Oreochromis niloticus Fingerlings

New Insights into the Effectiveness of Fungi-Degraded Date Pits Supplemented Diet on the Physiological and Biological Indices of Oreochromis niloticus Fingerlings