Dietary Strategies for Better Utilization of Aquafeeds in Tilapia Farming

Abstract

Feed management practices significantly impact the production performance of tilapia (Oreochromis species) culture economically; hence, adopting appropriate feed management strategies is vital to maximize returns. The advancement in aquaculture has also allowed an advancement in the development formulated feeds to supplement or replace natural feeds. Farmers are now able to prepare their own fish feeds from locally available ingredients. Hence, feed ingredient evaluation is crucial for better development of appropriate diets for different aquaculture species as well as nutritional research. Therefore, this review used secondary data to evaluate the different strategies employed for better utilization of nutrients in feed by providing a discussion of functional feed additives used in aquafeeds such as the addition of enzymes, pre/probiotics, feeding stimulants, and use of hormones. Supplementation of diet with xynalase and phytase enzymes ( P < 0.001 ) and probiotics ( P < 0.05 ) improved growth (g/d) and FCR when applied individually. The combination of enzymes and probiotics showed an interaction effect ( P < 0.05 ) on growth and FCR. A detailed discussion of feed ingredient processing strategies like fermentation, heat treatment, germination, and other biological methods meant to improve the nutritional quality of the feed and minimize antinutritional factors is provided. Furthermore, information on how genetic selection is being used to enhance feed utilization in tilapia fish is provided. The food conversion efficiency was found to be significantly higher ( P < 0.05 ) in transgenic tilapia compared to the nontransgenic red tilapia fish with average weight ± SD of 384 ± 158 g and 314 ± 101 for transgenic fish and red tilapia, respectively, after 275 days of culture. The review further outlines the feed formulation challenges, and research gaps in tilapia nutrition. It was noted that proper feeding management strategies are very critical for the sustainability of tilapia aquaculture. In conclusion, dietary sources for tilapia are slowly shifting to plant-based products. However, these come with a lot of antinutritional factors and digestibility problems; hence, the right feeding strategies have to be employed to enable efficient nutrient utilization. The review discovered that there are a lot of strategies which employed research gaps in tilapia nutrition, especially on nutrient utilization of feed and feed formulation.

Nutritional value of extracted soybean, full fat soya and maize gluten meal proteins in comparison to a fish meal based reference diet for fingerling tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

“…The effect of alternative protein sources and the replacement of fish meal for commercially valuable farmed fish and a strategy for modern aquafeeds has been extensively studied (Maas et al ., 2020; Gule and Geremew, 2022). It was concluded that increasing plant protein levels to replace fish meal may have detrimental effect on growth rate and feed utilisation at higher levels.…”

“…Fish meal replacements have numerous shortcomings, often including low protein content and amino acid levels that do not meet requirements, low energy content per unit weight, poorer digestibility, inferior palatability to fish, and consumer acceptability (Sadiku and Jauncey, 1995). Gule and Geremew (2022) extensively reviewed the use of novel and traditional ingredients for finfish aquaculture. Likewise, El-Sayed (1999) and Shiau (2002) have reviewed tilapia nutrition, feed requirements, and dietary specifications.…”

Morphometric relations and diet compositions of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linn. 1758) in Lake Tana Gorgora gulf, Ethiopia

“…Suitability to various culture techniques and its tolerance to numerous environmental and physico-chemical water quality parameters such as frequent fluctuation in pH and salinity, low dissolved oxygen, high concentrations of chemical nutrients, ability to reproduce in captivity and potential to accept natural and formulated feeds make the species most preferred and best cultured fish around the globe (Assefa & Getahun, 2015;Engdaw et al, 2013;Gule & Geremew, 2022;Suloma et al, 2017;Tesfahun & Temesgen, 2018;Tesfaye et al, 2020;Wagaw et al, 2022). Subsequently, commercial and ecological importance of Nile tilapia is undeniable especially in many top tilapia farming Asian and African countries where the demand for inexpensive protein diet is alarming exponentially (Ribeiro et al, 2018).…”

“…Apparently, studies on the food and feeding habits of fish species has become a focus of research due to strong global demand for the development of successful capture and culture fisheries management program (Gule & Geremew, 2022;Tesfahun & Temesgen, 2018). It is also essential for pond production management, formulating dietary needs of the species used in intensive and extensive culture and also in determining whether the population age structure in the fishery is in proper relation to the food resources available to it (Engdaw, 2014;Wagaw et al, 2022).…”

Dietary propolis improves the growth performance, redox status, and immune response of Nile tilapia upon a cold-stress challenge

“…Over the years, significant advances in fish nutrition have led to commercial, well-balanced diets that promote optimal growth and the harvest of impeccable fish [11]. The use of medicinal and fragrant plants in nutrition has been considered one of the novel strategies for increasing fish resistance to adverse environmental conditions and various stressors [12][13][14].…”