Relationship of RNA/DNA ratio to somatic growth of Nile tilapia juveniles (Oreochromis niloticus) under joint effects of temperature and salinity

Tilapia juveniles are a very important life stage, and reliably assessing their growth performance is of prime importance in aquaculture production. The suitability of the RNA/DNA as a bioindicator for growth evaluation in tilapia has not yet been reported. In this study, we examined suitability of RNA/DNA ratio for assessing growth of tilapia juveniles and variation in the ratio under the concurrent influences of temperature and salinity using the central composite design and response surface methodology. Results showed that under our experimental conditions, the synergistic effects of temperature and salinity on the RNA/DNA ratio were highly significant (P < 0.01), and the ratio varied with the two factors in a nonlinear fashion; the temperature × salinity interaction was detected at 1% significance level, and had a negative effect on the RNA/DNA ratio particularly at higher temperatures. Temperature was found to have a greater influence on RNA/DNA ratios than salinity. A model of the relation between RNA/DNA, temperature and salinity was developed, with an R² greater than 98%. The linear relationships of absolute growth, cumulative growth and specific growth of tilapia juveniles to RNA/DNA ratio all showed an R² of greater than 95%. Our results indicate that the RNA/DNA ratio was a responsive and accurate bioindicator for evaluating the growth performance of juvenile tilapia. These ratio‐based models are neither temperature‐ nor salinity‐dependent, and could be readily applicable to freshwater or brackish water aquaculture within temperature–salinity combinations ranging from 16 to 36°C and 0–16 ppt.     

Utilization of Caridina nilotica (Roux) meal as a protein ingredient in feeds for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The effects of replacing fish meal with Caridina nilotica as a protein ingredient on growth performance, nutrient utilization, carcass, proximate composition and economic benefits in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) culture was evaluated. Replacement of the FM with C. nilotica was done at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% (D25, D50, D75 and D100) and the substitution effects was compared with the control diet (D0, 0% C. nilotica). After 140 days of culture, the best growth performance, nutrient utilization and economic benefits occurred in fish groups fed diets with 25% C. nilotica inclusion. However, growth performance in fish fed diets D50 and D75 were comparable with the control (P > 0.05). At 100% substitution level of FM with C. nilotica, the growth performance and fish survival was lower than control. Protein and lipid contents in the fish and their digestibilities were highest in diet D25 and decreased with increasing levels of substitution of FM with C. nilotica. This study demonstrate that utilization of local protein sources (C. nilotica) can be effectively used to replace up to 75% of FM in the diets without compromising growth performance, survival, nutrient utilization and economic benefits in O. niloticus culture.     

Moderate salinities enhance growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings in the biofloc system

The biofloc technology (BFT) has recently gained attention as an economic and environmentally sustainable system for aquaculture. The use of BFT with salinized water could be used to minimize the negative effects of nitrogenous waste and improve the growth performance of Nile tilapia. This work evaluated the growth performance, survival, gill lesions, and fillet composition of tilapia fingerlings (Oreochromis niloticus) reared during 70 days with different salinities (0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 g/L) in a biofloc previously developed. The results indicated that the use of mature bioflocs alone was sufficient to avoid fingerling mortality due to nitrite peaks. Moreover, the salinized water, especially between 4 and 8 g/L (maximum points around 6 g/L), can be recommended in BFT to improve the growth performance of tilapia in the initial culture phase. The salinity level that was evaluated did not affect fillet composition nor the occurrence of gill lesions. The total ammonia nitrogen concentration was lower in freshwater than in salinized water (p < 0.05). Nitrite peaks in salinities of 12 and 16 g/L appeared later and were higher in comparison to other treatments. Considering minimal water exchange in BFT, the use of salinized water in this system may be environmentally viable.     

Combined effect of temperature,salinity and density on the growth and feed utilization of Nile tilapia juveniles (Oreochromis niloticus)

Based on Box–Behnken experimental design and response surface method, the joint effect of temperature (16–36°C), salinity (0–22 ppt) and rearing density (200–1000 fish.m^?3) on the specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion rate (FCR) of Nile tilapia juveniles were studied under laboratory conditions. The entire experiment lasted for 1 month (30 days). Results showed that the linear and quadratic effects of temperature, salinity on both growth and feed utilization were highly statistically significant (P < 0.01). The linear and quadratic effect of rearing density on the growth was highly significant (P < 0.01); the linear effect of rearing density on feed utilization was significant (P < 0.05), but the quadratic effect nonsignificant (P > 0.05). Interactions between temperature and salinity, and between salinity and rearing density on the growth statistically differed from zero (P < 0.05). Interactions between temperature and salinity, between temperature and density on feed utilization was significant (P < 0.05). Model equations of the growth and feed utilization on temperature, salinity and density were established, with the coefficient of determination being 98.34% for growth and 98.11% for feed utilization, and could be applied to projection. The optimal temperature/salinity/density combination was obtained utilizing statistical optimization approach: 29°C/6 ppt/500 fish.m^?3, at which the maximal specific growth and feed utilization reached 4.228%.d^?1 and 0.520 respectively, with the desirability being 0.989.     

Determination of histological and genotoxic effects of formalin on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)

Formalin (37–40% formaldehyde) is one of the most effective, widely used chemical in pisciculture for its antiparasitic, antifungal and prophylactic activities. It is used in paints, cleaning products and textile industry, as well. Genotoxic and histological effects of sublethal formalin exposure on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) are investigated in this study. The semi‐static acute test was employed. One‐tenth, one‐fifth and half of the 96‐h LC₅₀ value, 148 mg L^?1, were used as sublethal exposure concentrations: 15, 30 and 75 mg L^?1 for 24, 48, 96 and 168 h respectively. The micronucleus test was applied to investigate the genotoxic effects on fish erythrocytes at the end of predetermined exposure periods and all tissues of the fish were sampled for histological examination. The micronucleus frequencies increased significantly in all exposure groups when compared with their control groups in a dose and time dependent manner (P < 0.05). Results of histological examination showed no histopathological findings in the gonads, heart, skeletal muscle, spleen and intestine tissues after sublethal formalin exposure. Passive hyperaemia of liver tissue in varying proportions, hydropic degeneration, fatty degeneration in high concentrations, branchitis on gill tissues in varying proportions, epithelial lifting, telangiectasia, bleeding in kidney and hyperaemia were found in Nile tilapia exposed to formalin at different concentrations and durations. As a result, it is thought that formalin leads to tissue damage and shows genotoxic effects even at 15 mg L^?1 concentration in O. niloticus.     

Methionine and lysine requirements for maintenance and efficiency of utilization for growth of two sizes of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Different ration levels were used to determine the digestible methionine (DMet) and lysine (DLys) maintenance requirements and the utilization efficiencies for gain above maintenance for two different sizes of tilapia (20.7 and 165 g), by feeding a soybean meal–based diet. Protein gain and amino acid (AA) gain (e.g. methionine, Met; lysine, Lys; R² = 0.98) were best‐fit linear functions of DMet and DLys intake in both fish size classes. Slopes of these regression lines showed that the DMet utilization efficiencies for growth were 0.76 and 0.55 for juvenile and adult fish, respectively. The DMet maintenance requirements were 3.12 and 16.5 mg BW(kg)^−0.7 day⁻¹ for juvenile and adult fish, respectively. The DLys utilization efficiencies for gain were 0.72 and 0.52, whereas the DLys maintenance requirements were 16.9 and 68.8 mg BW (kg)^−0.7 day⁻¹, for juvenile and adult fish, respectively. These results suggested that there was an obvious difference in the maintenance requirements and utilization efficiencies for gain above maintenance for DMet and DLys in two different sizes of tilapia. The AA maintenance needs increased as fish increased in size, being greater in adult fish than in juvenile; however, the AA utilization efficiencies for gain above maintenance decreased with the increment of fish size.     

Dietary supplementation of Tribulus terrestris extract improves growth and reproductive performances of the male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Effects of dietary supplementation of Tribulus terrestris (TT) and 17α‐methyl testosterone (MT) on growth performance and reproductive efficiency of male Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (N = 75, initial weight 60 ± 3.251 g), were evaluated. Five experimental treatments in triplicate were fed on basal diet (30% crude protein) (control group, CG), basal diet containing 60 mg MT (MT group) and basal diet containing 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg diet TT (TT250, TT500 and TT750 groups), respectively, for consecutive 45 days. Results revealed that the fish received TT in diet showed better growth performance (final body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, testes weight and gonadosomatic index) compared with MT and CG (p < .05), as well as for haemoglobin content and red blood cell count (p < .05). The highest level of testosterone, 11‐keto testosterone, sperm concentration and vitality was recorded in TT750 followed by TT500, TT250 and MT groups, while the lowest value was recorded in the CG (p < .05). The highest seminiferous tubule diameter was recorded in TT750 followed by TT500, TT250 and CG, while the lowest diameter was recorded in the MT group (p < .05). Fish received TT showed normal dilated seminiferous tubule filled with large amount of free sperms within their lumen in a dose related effect. In conclusion, male Nile tilapia dietary supplementation with different inclusions of Tribulus terrestris extract specially 500 and 750 mg/kg diet improves growth performance, health condition, semen quality and reproductive efficiency without any harmful effect on water quality.     

Physiological responses and HSP70 mRNA expression of GIFT strain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under cold stress

An investigation on the physiological responses and HSP70 expression under cold stress was conducted on Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) strain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Tilapia were acclimated at 28°C as control and then the water temperature was reduced from 28°C to 15°C at a rate of 1°C h^?1, and serum biochemical indices, antioxidant enzymes and expression of HSP70 mRNA were analysed on days 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 5 after exposure to 15°C. The concentration of serum K, Na, Cl and Ca concentration showed instability during cold stress. Glucose rapidly increased on day 0 followed by a declining trend. Triglyceride, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein‐cholesterol signifi‐cantly decreased and high density lipoprotein‐cholesterol showed instability during cold stress. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities were prominently elevated under cold stress. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities showed a remarkable rise on day 0.5 under cold stress, and gradually decreased thereafter. HSP70 mRNA level significantly increased both in liver and muscle under cold stress, especially on days 0.5 and 1. These results suggest that cold influences several physiological responses of tilapia, and the cold resistance and cold tolerance of tilapia will benefit from the enhancement of antioxidant enzymes activities and upregulated HSP70 mRNA expression.     

The sparing effect of cystine on methionine at a constant TSAA level in practical diets of juvenile Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

The feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the replacement effect of cystine on methionine at a constant total sulphur amino acid (TSAA) level in practical diets of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Soybean meal, cottonseed meal and rapeseed meal were used as the main protein sources in the diets containing 16.4 MJ kg^?1 gross energy and 301 g kg^?1 crude protein. Crystalline DL‐methionine (Met) to L‐cystine (Cys) were supplemented to fulfil various ratios of Met to Cys (60:40, 50:50, 40:60 and 30:70, based on an equimolar sulphur basis; and the analysed ratios were 53:47, 49:51, 34:66 and 31:69). Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of Nile tilapia juveniles (10.1 g mean initial weight) in a recirculation system for 8 weeks. The results showed that the growth performance and nutrient accretion were not affected by dietary methionine:cystine ratios (P > 0.05). However, the survival rates of fish tended to decrease with the decreasing methionine: cystine ratios. The only dietary treatment to achieve 100% survival was the 53:47 methionine: cystine treatment. And methionine digestibility decreased linearly with the decreasing methionine: cystine ratios (P < 0.05). Thus, it was concluded that cystine could replace up to approximately 47% of TSAA requirement on an equimolar sulphur basis without hampering growth performance in the practical diets of juvenile Nile tilapia.     

The effect of dietary methionine concentrations on growth performance of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed diets with two different digestible energy levels

A growth trial was conducted to examine the effect of dietary digestible energy (DE) content on methionine (Met) utilization and requirement in juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Ten iso‐nitrogenous (288 g kg^?1 protein) practical diets, with two DE levels (10.9 MJ kg^?1; 12.4 MJ kg^?1) and five methionine supplementation levels (0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g kg^?1), were hand‐fed twice daily to triplicate groups of Nile tilapia (initial body weight 8.95 ± 0.06 g) for 8 weeks. Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) increased significantly with increasing dietary methionine concentration at the same DE content (P < 0.001). At the same dietary methionine level, WG and SGR of fish fed high‐DE diets were significantly higher than that of fish fed low‐DE diets (P = 0.0001), although no interaction was found between dietary DE and methionine supplementation. Based on quadratic regression analysis between dietary methionine concentration and weight gain, optimal methionine requirement for maximum growth, expressed as g Met required kg^?1 diet (low‐ versus high‐DE diets), increased as diet DE concentration increased (7.34 versus 9.90 g kg^?1 diet, respectively; with cysteine 4.70 g kg^?1 diet). The results indicated that diet DE content affects methionine utilization and requirement in juvenile Nile tilapia, fish fed high‐DE diets required more methionine for maximum growth.     

温度与盐度对吉富品系尼罗罗非鱼仔鱼生长与存活的联合影响

采用中心复合实验设计(CCD)和响应曲面方法(response surface methodology,RSM),探讨了温度(18～37℃)和盐度(0～16)对吉富品系尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis miloticus)仔鱼生长和存活的联合影响.结果表明,本实验条件下,温度与盐度的一次与二次效应对特定生长率和存活率均有显著影响(P＜0.05),随着温度或盐度的上升,生长与存活均呈先上升后下降的变化.温度与盐度间存在互作效应(P＜0.05),温度为18～20℃时,仔鱼的特定生长率与存活率在盐度为8～9时较高;随着温度上升,27～32℃时,盐度为5～7时较高;高温环境时(35～37℃),盐度在4左右,生长与存活率较高.所考察因子与生长和存活率间的二次多项回归方程的决定系数分别达到0.979 6和0.982 l(P＜0.01),可用于预测罗非鱼的生长与存活率;温度效应对生长的影响较盐度明显,而对存活率的影响则相反.通过对所建立的两个回归方程同时优化,得到2个因子的最佳组合为:温度29.1℃和盐度5.4,在此最佳因子组合下罗非鱼仔鱼的特定生长率与存活率达到最优,分别为10.08％.d-1和91.34％,其可靠性达0.973.建议罗非鱼仔鱼在本研究中得到的最优因子组合下进行培育,以提高生产效率.     

CD40 induces an antimicrobial response against the intracellular pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae in Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

Streptococcus agalactiae is a Gram‐positive facultative intracellular bacterium that leads to severe economic loss of tilapia worldwide. Previous studies demonstrated that CD40 contributes to host protection against intracellular injection. In this study, CD40 was characterized from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), named OnCD40. Sequence analysis showed that open reading frame of OnCD40 was 933 bp, containing a single peptide, a transmembrane domain and four cysteine‐rich domains. The qRT‐PCR revealed that OnCD40 was expressed in all examined tissues with the most abundant ones in spleen and thymus. After S. agalactiae stimulation, the expression of OnCD40 was significantly induced in most of the detected organs. Moreover, OnCD40‐overexpressing fish elicited significant protection against subsequent S. agalactiae challenge; approximately 10000‐fold fewer bacteria were detected in spleen of OnCD40‐overexpressing fish in comparison with control fish. Thus, CD40 had protecting function in Nile tilapia against intracellular pathogens.     

Effects of putative dietary probiotics from the gut of milkfish (Chanos chanos) on the growth performance and intestinal enzymatic activities of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Enzymes synthesized by the gut microbiome are recognized as vital for assisting host metabolism. This study was conducted to screen and identify bacterial isolates with enzyme-producing abilities from the intestine of milkfish Chanos chanos. Overall, 114 isolates were collected, of which 58% showed clear zones indicating various enzyme activities via plate-based assays. Specifically, 65 isolates were amylolytic, 1 isolate was cellulolytic, and 18 isolates exhibited both activities. The two most promising isolates—CC8 and CC27—were further subjected to spectrophotometric enzyme assays to determine their amylase, cellulase and protease activities. Results showed that amylase, cellulase and protease activities (6.00 ± 0.01, 0.52 ± 0.02 and 18.62 ± 0.16 U mg^?1 protein, respectively) were higher in CC8 than in CC27. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the isolates were putatively identified as Vibrio sp. and Bacillus cereus respectively. At a suspension (mL) to feed (g) ratio of 3:25, dietary supplementation of putative probiotics was carried out to evaluate the growth performance, survival and enzymatic activities of juvenile Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Results revealed that probiotic-supplemented fish exhibited better growth performance—final average body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio—along with increased intestinal enzymatic activities compared with the control (p < 0.05). Survival rates ranged from 80% to 90% and were statistically similar in all treatments (p > 0.05). This study concludes that the application of Vibrio sp. CC8 and Bacillus cereus CC27, supplemented either in monostrain or multistrain preparation, can promote growth and enzymatic activities in juvenile Nile tilapia.     

Dualistic feeding pattern of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus,L.) reared under different self‐feeding system conditions

Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of the most important cultured species worldwide. The research aims to clarify the feeding characteristics, such as daily feeding pattern of Nile tilapia using a self‐feeding technique. The feeding pattern was conducted under two rearing conditions, indoor treatments under a controlled light regime (LD 12:12) and constant water temperature (25°C), and outdoor treatments under natural conditions which consisted of duplicate trials with two periods each. The outdoor treatment was carried out from early summer through late autumn in Mie, Central Japan. Daily self‐feeding activity of Nile tilapia in indoor treatments was nearly daytime feeding pattern, synchronizing with the given photoperiod (24 hr). However, the self‐feeding activity in the outdoor experiments from early summer to early autumn was almost daytime feeding pattern, but it became less clear and shifted to a nighttime feeding profile in late autumn. The results revealed that Nile tilapia has a dualistic capacity for demand‐feeding both in light and dark phases. These results might have been caused by the seasonal change in light intensity and/or water temperature. Information obtained from the self‐feeding experiments enables us to identify the influence of environmental changes on the physiological condition of farmed fish through their expression of appetite.     

Development of attenuated erythromycin‐resistant Streptococcus agalactiae vaccine for tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) culture

Streptococcus agalactiae is an important pathogen in fish, causing great losses of intensive tilapia farming. To develop a potential live attenuated vaccine, a re‐attenuated S. agalactiae (named TFJ‐ery) was developed from a natural low‐virulence S. agalactiae strain TFJ0901 through selection of resistance to erythromycin. The biological characteristics, virulence, stability and the immunization protective efficacy to tilapia of TFJ‐ery were determined. The results indicated that TFJ‐ery grew at a slower rate than TFJ0901. The capsule thickness of TFJ‐ery was significantly less (p < 0.05) than TFJ0901. When Nile tilapia were intraperitoneally (IP) injected with TFJ‐ery, the mortality of fish was decreased than that injected with TFJ0901. The RPS of fish immunized with TFJ‐ery at a dose of 5.0 × 10⁷ CFU was 95.00%, 93.02% and 100.00% at 4, 8 and 16 weeks post‐vaccination, respectively. ELISA results showed that the vaccinated fish produced significantly higher (p < 0.05) antibody titres compared to those of control at 2 or 4 weeks post‐vaccination. Taken together, our results suggest that erythromycin could be used to attenuate S. agalactiae, and TFJ‐ery is a potent attenuated vaccine candidate to protect tilapia against S. agalactiae infections.     

Dietary lycopene supplementation on Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) juveniles submitted to confinement: effects on cortisol level and antioxidant response

This study evaluates the inclusion of lycopene in the commercial diet for Nile Tilapia exposured to a stressor. For 60 days, fish diet was supplemented with lycopene (600 mg kg^?1 diet) and at the end, subjected to confinement for 90 min. Zootechnical parameters (weight gain, specific growth rate and intake), hormonal (cortisol level), biochemical {enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation level [thiobarbituric acid (TBARS)]} and physical (instrumental colour) parameters were also evaluated. Supplementation with lycopene did not alter zootechnical parameters. In unconfined fish, catalase (CAT) activity was reduced in the white muscle of fish fed with lycopene; however, in red muscle, it was not altered. In fish under confinement, plasma cortisol increased as well as CAT, glutathione reductase (GR) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in both muscles. Lipid peroxidation of the fillet also displayed higher values. However, the lycopene supplementation abolished the effects of confinement available through cortisol levels, remaining unchanged in the above parameters, activity of CAT, GR and LDH in both muscles and TBARS content of the fillet; in addition, it did not induce alteration of fillet coloration. Inclusion of lycopene in commercial feed reduces the impact of confinement and does not alter the zootechnical parameters; additionally, no modification of the fillet colour from juvenile Nile tilapia was observed.     

Feed intake,growth and metabolism of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in relation to dissolved oxygen concentration

The objectives of the present study were to determine, for Nile tilapia of different body weights and fed to satiation, (1) the incipient dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration at which feed intake starts to level off and (2) the effect of DO on nitrogen and energy balances. Two successive experiments were conducted with two weight classes of male Nile tilapia (>200 g, Experiment 1, and <100 g, Experiment 2). Twelve aquaria were assigned to four DO levels in each experiment. Fish were fed to apparent satiation for 16 and 20 days in Experiments 1 and 2 respectively. The DO‐feed intake curve of fish<100 g appeared to level off at a DO of 3 mg L^?1, while that of fish>200 g continued to increase as DO increased from 2.6 to 6.0 mg L^?1. The latter curve suggests that the incipient DO for fish>200 g is about 5.5 mg L^?1. Fish tended to reduce the energy requirement for maintenance as DO declined. A DO reduction caused an increase in the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC), but further declines in DO to levels below a critical level decreased ADC. The DO did not have a considerable effect on the metabolizable energy: digestible energy ratio of the diet.     

温度与盐度对吉富品系尼罗罗非鱼幼鱼能量代谢的联合效应

在实验室条件下采用中心复合设计和响应曲面法,以影响能量代谢的2个重要环境因子(温度和盐度)为自变量,以耗氧率、排氨率与CO2排泄率为响应值,研究并探讨了温度(13~36℃)与盐度(0~20)对吉富罗非鱼幼鱼能量代谢的联合影响。结果表明,温度与盐度的一次效应、盐度的二次效应及其互作效应对耗氧率、排氨率与CO2排泄率均有显著影响(P>0.05);温度的二次效应对耗氧率和CO2排泄率没有显著影响(P>0.05);所考察因子与耗氧率、排氨率与CO2排泄率间二次多项回归方程的决定系数分别达到0.958 1、0.977 8和0.979 5(P<0.01),可用于预测。温度效应较盐度明显,盐度较低时,能量消耗对温度变化较为敏感;在等渗点附近,耗氧率、排氨率和CO2排泄率较高;盐度超过等渗点时,低温和高盐环境对幼鱼的能量代谢有抑制作用。氧氮比(O∶N)随盐度变化而变化,温度对其没有显著影响(P>0.05)。当温度与盐度分别为13~36℃与0~10时,罗非鱼幼鱼主要依靠蛋白质和脂肪氧化供能;盐度为20时,脂肪成为主要供能物质;本实验条件下呼吸商的均值为0.752。本研究有助于更好地解释温度与盐度对罗非鱼新陈代谢的影响,同时可以为研究环境因子对能量的时空分配模式的改变提供生物能量学依据。     

Evaluation of hydrolysed rubber seed meal as a dietary protein source for Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus L.

This study evaluated the use of hydrolysed rubber seed meal as a locally grown alternative feed ingredient to reduce the use of fishmeal within formulated feeds for tilapia. Five experimental diets were prepared by formulating different inclusion levels of hydrolysed rubber seed meal (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of plant‐based protein contribution). Dried and defatted rubber seed meal was hydrolysed by adding rumen digesta liquid to the ingredient. For digestibility measurement, chromic oxide was added to each diet as an inert marker. The digestibility trial was conducted over a 14‐day period by collecting faecal matter from the rearing tanks. In addition, a growth trial was conducted over a period of 50 days using four replicates per dietary treatment. In both experiments, all fish were fed three times daily to apparent satiation. At the end of growth trial, the inclusion level of hydrolysed rubber seed meal up to 50% of plant‐based protein contribution did not give any significant difference compared to the control diet in terms of feed efficiency, specific growth rate and protein retention parameters. In the digestibility study, fish fed diets containing hydrolysed rubber seed meal up to a 50% of plant‐based protein inclusion level did not give any significant difference compared to the control diet in terms of protein and dry matter apparent digestibility. Based on the result of this growth and digestibility study, up to a 50% of plant‐based protein contribution of hydrolysed rubber seed meal can be used within formulated tilapia feeds without any adverse effect.