Effects of the Substitution of Fish Meal by a Combination of Black Soldier fly meal (Hermitia illucens) and Shea Butter Meal (Cirina butyrospermi) on the Growth Performance and Biochemical Composition of the Flesh of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus Fry

Fishmeal is an essential component in fish diet. It can be replaced by different sources of protein to make fish feeding more inexpensive. In the present trial, fishmeal was substituted by a combination of black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermitia illucens) and shea caterpillar (Cirina butyrospermi) maggots in tilapia feed at different proportions to evaluate the growth performance and flesh biochemical composition of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fry. A total of one hundred and eighty (180) tilapia fry were placed in 9 x 80-liter fiberglass tanks at a density of 20 individuals per tank. Three diets were formulated, a control (R0) (based on fish meal), R1 diet (50% fish meal, 25% BSF and 25% caterpillar meal) and R2 diet (50% BSF and 50% caterpillar meal). The results of this study showed that the substitution of 50% fish meal by BSF meal and caterpillar meal had a positive effect on fish growth performance. Mean final weight (0.29 ± 0.04g) and relative mean weight gain (462.09 ± 74.13%) were more significant in fish nursed the R1 diet and less significant in fish fed the R2 diet, which were 0.19 ± 0.04g and 332.20 ± 135.55% respectively. There was no significant difference in the FCR obtained, but the lowest FCR was recorded with diet R1 at 2.69 ± 0.43. The specific growth rate (SGR) showed significant difference between the different experimental diets, with the best SGR obtained with diet R1 at 4.09 ± 0.43%/d. In addition, the biochemical composition of fry flesh revealed adequate levels of protein and lipids, suggesting a nutritional quality comparable to that of fry fed fishmeal alone. These findings indicate that the mixture of black soldier fly meal (25%) and shea caterpillar meal (25%) may be a promising alternative to fish meal in the feeding of Nile tilapia fry, offering similar growth performance and satisfactory flesh biochemical composition.