Potential of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) meal as a dietary protein source for early growth stages of fringe-lipped carp Labeo fimbriatus (Bloch, 1795)

Gangadhar Barlaya; C. H. Raghavendra; B. S.  Ananda Kumar; P. Keshavanath; S. K. Swain

doi:10.21077/ijf.2025.72.3.155607-12

Authors

Gangadhar Barlaya Principal Scientist (Aquaculture), ICAR - Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture
C. H. Raghavendra
B. S. Ananda Kumar
P. Keshavanath
S. K. Swain

https://doi.org/10.21077/ijf.2025.72.3.155607-12

Abstract

Because of its balanced amino acid profile, phospholipids and favourable fatty acid composition, as well as its outstanding feed palatability, easy digestion and absorption, fishmeal is considered the optimum protein source for aquatic and land animal diets. The availability of fishmeal (FM) has rapidly decreased and its price has climbed in tandem, due to the constant fall in pelagic wild fish captures and the rising demand for livestock and aquaculture feeds. As a result, there has been a continuous hunt for substitute protein sources that would enable aquaculture to continue being both environmentally and economically viable. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the unconventional protein source tilapia meal (TM) as a protein source in the diet of Labeo fimbriatus for seed rearing. Two growth trials, one each with spawn and fry of L. fibriatus were conducted to test the efficacy of tilapia meal as a protein source. Fish were fed with FM based diet or TM based diet. In Experiment 1, final weight was higher with FM diet. In Experiment 2, no difference was observed between the two diets in terms of growth, survival and condition factor. Similar values of survival and condition factor recorded in two treatments indicate the possibility of incorporation of TM as a protein source in the diet during larval rearing of fringe-lipped carp.

Keywords: Alternate protein source, Digestive enzymes, Fimbriatus carp, Larval rearing, Medium carp

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Author Biography

Gangadhar Barlaya, Principal Scientist (Aquaculture), ICAR - Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture

Peninsular Aquaculture Division
Principal Scientist

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