Using black soldier fly larval meal as dietary ingredients in common climbing perch (Anabas testudineus Bloch)

Abstract

Effects of using black soldier fly larval meal as ingredients in common climbing perch (Anabas testudineus Bloch) dietary on growth performance, survival rate and feed cost/kg weight gain of common climbing perch were studied. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used in this experiement. There were 4 treatments and 4 replications, treatment 1 (T1) was commercial feed, treatment 2 – treatment 4 (T2 - T4) were local-made feed mixed with black soldier fly larval meal at 0, 30, and 50% of fish meal, respectively. Crude protein of the experimental feed (T1 - T4) were 33.59, 31.47, 31.91 and 32.03 %, respectively. The experimental duration was 3 weeks and the fish were fed twice a day. Data was analysed by ANOVA and differences between groups were compared using LSD. The study showed that the final weight gain of T1 was 4.85±0.01 g which was higher than T2 to T4 (P<0.01). Feed conversion rates (FCR) and survival rates of all treatments were not significantly different (P>0.01). The feeding costs of T1 to T4 were 25, 18.60, 17.57 and 16.81 baht/kg, respectively and feed costs/kg weight gain of T1 to T4 were 29.34±3.26, 27.61±6.47, 23.68±2.52 and 24.26±1.25 baht, respectively. This study indicated that it was possible to use 30% of black soldier fly larval meal mixed in local-made feed for common climbing perch culture. This feed could reduce the cost of fish culture investment.