Replacement of fish meal by black soldier fly(Hermetia illucens) larvae meal: effects on growth, feed efficiency and carcass composition of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)

Abstract

This study investigated the feasibility of using black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) as a substitute for fishmeal (FM) in the diets of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus), with particular emphasis on growth performance, feed utilization, and whole-body composition. Five experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (35% crude protein) and isoenergetic (19mj/kg), in which FM protein was replaced by BSFLM protein at 0% (control), 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% substitution levels. The results demonstrated that complete replacement of FM with BSFLM did not adversely influence growth performance and feed efficiency. Moreover, fish fed the diet with 100% FM replacement (corresponding to 11% BSFLM inclusion) exhibited the highest whole-body protein content. These findings suggest that BSFLM represents a promising and sustainable alternative protein source to FM in striped catfish aquafeeds.