Utilization of processing wastes in feeds for tilapia

Abstract- A rapid expansion of fisheries is demanding an adequate supply of efficient, nutritious and inexpensive fish feed, because feed contributes highly to the cost of fish production. Feeds form an essential component of successful fish farming. Feed costs can account for up to 70% of the total operating cost in aquaculture. There is therefore a urgent need to reduce feed cost significantly in order to increase the profit margin.

Waste generation is major problems in vegetable as well as fish processing. The volumes of waste generated as well as resultant environmental impacts necessitate the devising of low cost effective methods for utilization of these wastes. The present study envisages the utilization of plant and animal origin in feeds for Nile tilapia. Two types of processing waste namely vegetable processing waste and Fish processing waste evaluated by incorporating in feeds for tilapia. The two processing waste based feeds were evaluated against a fish meal based and clam meal based control feed. Feeding was done @5% of the body weight. Proximate composition of ingredients, feeds, and carcas were recorded. FCR, FCE, SGR, Survival% were recorded. Water quality parameter also checked fortnightly. Organoleptic quality of raw fish and boil fish were recorded. The experimental diets were formulated keeping overall protein content at 30%. There is significant differences (P<0.05level) in weight and length of fry fed with the different feeds during a period of 90 days were observed. There is significant difference in growth of fry fed on T0, T1, T2, T3 was observed. The result of the study indicates that the fish processing waste feed and vegetable waste feed could replace clam meal based feed and fish meal based feed in tilapia with economic advantages and without sacrificing the quality of the feed.