UTILIZATION OF SOME AQUATIC PLANTS IN DIET OF NILE TILAPIA, OREOCHROMIS NLOTICUS, FINGERLINGS

Document Type : Original Article

Author

National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Kayet Bay, Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the value and inclusion of some available aquatic plants in the diet of Nile
tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, fingerlings held in net-enclosures in frtilized earthen pond at El-Mex Research Station, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandria. The plants chosen were pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus); coontail (Ceratophylim demersum) and duckweed (Lemna lemna). Comparing the results revealed that: 1) no significant difference were found in percentage dry matter, crude protein and ether extract of fish carcass composition, fed different levels of aquatic plants (25% and 50%) in the diet, but ash percent was significantly increased as
the proportion of aquatic plants increased in the diet; 2) the fish tend to have more protein and less ash when fed diet containing 25% and 50% duckweed or 25% pondweed; and 3) tilapia used feed very efficiently at a level of 50% of the standard diet by duckweed and 25% by coontail or pondweed without any significantly adverse effects on appetite, feed utilization and growth performance.

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