Effect of Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal on African Catfish Growth

Tuychiyev, Kamoliddin Kamol; Khujamov, Shahboz

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2025.416800.6466

Effect of Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal on African Catfish Growth

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ 110808, Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent region, Yangiyul district, Kokalamzor MFY, Chirchik street, house 1, 110808, Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent region, Yangiyul district, Kokalamzor MFY, Chirchik street, house 1

² Uzbekistan - Finland Pedagogical Institute, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

10.21608/ejabf.2025.416800.6466

Abstract

The present study evaluated the partial replacement of fishmeal (FM) with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, BSF) larvae meal in the diets of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) juveniles under tank culture conditions. Two experimental diets were formulated: a control diet containing 30% FM and a test diet in which 50% of FM was replaced with BSF meal. A 30-day feeding trial was conducted using six concrete tanks with 45 fish in total. Growth performance, feed utilization, hematological parameters, and flesh composition were assessed. Results indicated that the final body weight (114.30 ± 0.77 g) and absolute weight gain (65.26 ± 1.43 g) of fish fed the BSF-based diet were significantly higher (P< 0.05) than those of the control group (95.72 ± 5.72 and 54.44 ± 2.15g, respectively). Daily weight gain was also improved in the BSF group (2.25 ± 0.05g vs. 1.87 ± 0.07g). Feed conversion ratio decreased slightly in the experimental group (1.38 ± 0.06) compared to the control (1.54 ± 0.14). No significant differences (P> 0.05) were observed in survival rate, hematological indices, or muscle composition, indicating that dietary BSF inclusion did not negatively affect fish health. These findings suggest that BSF larvae meal can serve as a sustainable alternative to fishmeal in African catfish diets, enhancing growth while maintaining physiological performance.

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