Emerging insect-based aquafeed for sustainable African catfish production

The current study assessed the implications of substituting fish meal (FM) with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) on sustainable African catfish (Clarius gariepinus) production. Five isocaloric experimental diets were formulated and 168-days feeding trials were performed with 1400 improved strains of African catfish. Fish fed with 50% BSFLM expressed the lowest and highest feed conversion ratio, and daily weight gain and specific growth rate. Fillets from fish fed diet with 50 and 75% BSFLM inclusion expressed higher lauric (11.4-16.7%) and linoleic acids. Omega-6 fatty acid was 19-fold higher in fillets from fish fed diet with 75%BSFLM. There was 5-8% and 9-11% higher crude protein in fillet from fish fed diet with 50 and 75% BSFLM, respectively. Essential amino acids in the fillets, particularly lysine [11 - 18g/kg] and methionine [11 - 27g/kg] values were significantly higher in catfish fed diet with BSFLM diets than with FM. Diet integrated with 50% BSFLM showed the best return on investment (105.2%) and cost-benefit ratio (1.05). Integration of 50-75% BSFLM into African catfish diet offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional fish feed, with promising long-term nutritional and health benefits for the aquaculture industry.