Analyzing Daphnia and Black Soldier Fly Performance for Fish Protein
Victor Chelal
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Egerton University, P.O BOX 536-20115, Egerton, Kenya.
Leah Mumbi Mahianyu
National Police Service, Kenya Police Department, Njoro, P.O BOX 49 Njoro, Kenya.
Benjamin Musyimi Musingi *
Egerton University Fish Farm, P.O BOX 536-20115 Egerton, Kenya and Egerton University Agro-Science Park, P.O BOX 536-20115 Egerton, Kenya and Department of Biological Sciences Egerton University, P.O BOX 536-20115 Egerton, Kenya and Department of Animal Science, Breeding and Genomics Group Egerton University, P.O BOX 536-20115 Egerton, Kenya.
Dorcas Mutheu Musingi
Department of Water Engineering, Technical University of Mombasa, P.O BOX 90420-80100 Mombasa, Kenya.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The effectiveness of Daphnia and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae as substitute protein sources for fish diet is examined in this study. The quest for sustainable aquaculture methods has led to a rise in the need for substitute protein sources. Since they may be raised using organic waste materials and have a high protein content, daphnia and BSF larvae are seen as attractive possibilities. In this study, we assess the digestibility, nutritional makeup, and growth performance of fish fed diets including BSF larval protein and Daphnia. We also evaluate the environmental impact and economic viability of adding these substitute protein sources to fish diets. Our research provides important new information on the viability of using BSF larvae and Daphnia as protein sources to improve fish production sustainability and lessen dependency on conventional.
Keywords: Daphnia, Azolla, black soldier fly larvae