Abstract:
This study was aimed to compare the effects of different cost-effective, nutrition-rich
formulated feeds on the growth of Nile tilapia in tank culture. The experiment was
carried out from I't September 2023 to l5th December 2023. Three different
experimental diets were formulated using low-cost and freely available sources rice
bran, Anchovy fish head, and Azolla sp. which were compared with MARAM AeuA
commercial fish meal (Diet l) (32%oprotein). Anchovy headandAzolta sp.contain high
protein and potential to be used to replace fish meal. Diet 2 (32Yo protein) and Diet 3
(35%o protein) were formulated with different formulations of rice bran and Anchovy
fish head. Diet 4(35%oprotein) was formulated with 25%o replacement of animal protein
with Azolla sp. 13.14 + 0.7r grams average body weight and 7.59 + 0.49 cm average
total body length of 30 advanced Nile tilapia fingerlings were stocked in each of four
tanks. During the period of study, survival rate, growth performance, specific growth
rate, and feed conversion ratio were monitored. Water quality parameters were also
regularly measured to ensure optimal conditions for fish growth. The results showed
that Diet 4 resulted in the highest weight gain (186.75+0.87g) and highest total length
gain (12.24+0.53 cm), highest sGR (2.59+0.51 gl day), and, low FCR (1.6g+0.02)
when compared with commercial feed. However, there was no significant difference in
the survival rate among the four groups. Overall, the findings suggest that Diet 4 is lowcost,
and more effective in promoting the growth of Nile tilapia in tank culture
compared to Diet 1, Diet 2, and Diet 3.
