Research Article
Sajed S. Al-Noor Basim M. Jasi
Abstract
This study was carried out to evaluate the partial replacement of fish meal by fish silage in feeds formulated for common carp C. carpio fry. Proximate composition of fish meal, fish silage and different experimental feeds were analyzed and several parameters of fish feeding and growth were studied. Biosilage was prepared by fermenting marine by-catch fish with date fruit residues, domestic vinegar and citric acid. The produced biosilage was incorporated in feeds to replace 0, 25, 50 or 75% of fish meal protein. Fish were fed for 10 weeks on isonitrogenous (42% protein) and isocaloric (4600 Kcal/kg) feeds and feeding and growth parameters were close in the four feed groups. Very few significant differences were observed between the experimental feeds as to specific growth rate, thermal growth coefficient, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio. Fish survival rates were very similar between the different feed groups during the experiment (94.4-96.7%). The study concluded that fish biosilage can be used successfully as fish meal alternative in feeds for common carp fry without adverse effects on feeding and growth efficiency.