Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilization Efficiency of Clarias gariepinus Juveniles Fed Bombyx mori (Mulberry silkworm) Meal as a Partial Replacement for Fishmeal

A 56-day (Eight weeks) trial was carried out to determine the growth performance and nutrient utilization of Clarias gariepinus juveniles fed Bombyx mori meal (BMM) as a replacement for fishmeal. Five experimental diets were formulated at various levels of inclusion of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of BMM designated as diets B, C, D and E respectively. The control diet (diet A) was 100% fishmeal. The experimental fish were collected from a private hatchery in Ado Ekiti and stocked in 20-litre plastic bowls at a stocking density of 10 fingerlings per bowl and fed twice per day at 5% body weight. The effect of the diets on the growth, feed utilization efficiency, carcass and mineral compositions of the fish were evaluated. The results showed that mean weight gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio of fish fed the experimental diets differed significantly (P<0.05) when compared with the control. In this study, replacement of fishmeal with 25% BMM gave the best result while 100%, 75% and 50% gave better result than the control. Also, carcass yield and mineral depositions differed marginally in the fish fed the various diets. It can be inferred from this study that B. mori larvae have the potential to be used as a protein source and can replace and elicit better growth trends in fish more than the conventional fishmeal without any problem with growth.