Effect of feeding arthrospira platensis ( spirulina) on growth and carcass composition of hybrid red tilapia(oreochromis niloticus x oreochromis mossambicus)

Abstract

The present study was designed to evaluate the use of Spirulina , Arthrospir platensis as a protein source for hybrid red tilapia fries (Oreochromis niloticus x Oreochromis mossambicus) with average weights of 206 ±11 mg. Spirulina was incorporated into diets at 0, 50, 75, and 100% of the fishmeal-based diet. The test diets were fed to the fish at 12% body weight three times a day for consecutive 65 days at 24±2°C. The final weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion rati o (FCR) and survival rate of fish were evaluated. The present study suggests that up to 75% of Spirulina can be substituted for fishmeal in a fishmeal-based diet for hybrid red tilapia with increased feed conversion ratio and protein productive value in carcass proximate c omposition. Also higher immunity can be observed than other treatments, where white blood cells were 4.08 x10 3 mm. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate the possibility of using Arthrospira platensis as commercial nutrient source for large scale culture of fish in general and tilapia in particular.