Enhanced biodiversity of gut flora and feed efficiency in pond cultured tilapia under reduced frequency feeding strategies

Abstract

Feed constitutes 50-70% of total production costs of tilapia, one of the most widely cultured finfishes in the world. We evaluated reduced-feeding strategies for improving production efficiency of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). In a 12-week pond trial, fish were fed daily, every other day, every third day, or not at all. Ponds were fertilized to enhance natural foods. In a fifth group fish were fed daily without pond fertilization. Fish fed daily with or without pond fertilization and fish fed every other day had higher specific growth rates, survivability, and net production than the other two treatments. Fish feed efficiency and benefit to cost ratio was highest for treatments fed in a pulsatile manner (i.e. fed every other day or every third day) with fish fed on alternate days providing the best net return among all groups. Fish fed on alternate days had more moderate gene expression levels of intestinal nutrient transporters which may allow for a more balanced and efficient nutrient uptake. Fecal microbe analyses identified 145 families of prokaryotic and 132 genera of eukaryotic organisms in tilapia. The highest diversity of prokaryotes was found in fish fed either every other day or daily in fertilized ponds and the highest diversity of eukaryotes was found in fish fed every other day. These studies indicate feeding Nile tilapia on alternate days along with weekly pond fertilization has no deleterious effects on growth, survivability, or production versus daily feeding regimes, but enhances feed efficiency by 76% and provides the greatest net return on investments. Our studies also suggest for the first time that combining alternateday feeding with pond fertilization produces the greatest microbial biodiversity in the intestine that could contribute to enhanced feed efficiency and overall health of tilapia.

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals ectopic delta-5 and delta-6 desaturases enhance protective gene expression upon Vibrio vulnificus challenge in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

“…Tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) is a staple product of the aquaculture industry, with annual consumption exceeding 3.7 million metric tons, as of 2014 [ 17 ]. Presently tilapia are grown in fresh-water pond culture systems in approximately 125 countries [ 18 ].…”

Effects of Feeding Frequency and Dietary Protein/Carbohydrate Ratios on Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata) Intestinal Functionality and Health

“…Regarding the effects of FF on intestinal histomorphology, in lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus), the severity of the inflammation increased in fish fed daily compared to fish fed only 3 or 4 days a week [23]. Nile tilapia fed on alternate days presented higher intestinal microbial biodiversity than fish fed every third day or kept unfed [24].…”

Hydroacoustic assessment of standing stock of Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) under 120 kHz and 200 kHz split‐beam systems in an aquaculture pond

“…Feeding costs are responsible for almost 50% of the operational costs incurred in aquaculture production (Kaliba et al, 2006; Salger et al, 2020; Soliveres, 2015). For example, in Tanzania, Tilapia's feeding cost is around 10.37 USD/150 m 2 pond and with a total operating cost (from juvenile to adult fish) of 19.39 USD/150 m 2 pond (Kaliba et al, 2006).…”

“…For example, in Tanzania, Tilapia's feeding cost is around 10.37 USD/150 m 2 pond and with a total operating cost (from juvenile to adult fish) of 19.39 USD/150 m 2 pond (Kaliba et al, 2006). In Bangladesh, the daily feeding cost for Tilapia is 113.88 USD with a total daily operating cost of 131.05 USD (Salger et al, 2020). This is attributed to the fact that fishermen do not know the biomass and feed volume is just roughly estimated based on the fish biomass estimated using the traditional method (i.e.…”

“…Tilapia is the fourth most produced fish globally after Grass carp, Silver carp and Common carp (Food & Agriculture Organization, 2018) due to its being highly marketable and almost constant market prices (Wang & Lu, 2016). In Taiwan, Nile tilapia is the second most aquacultured fish (National Statistics: Republic of China (Taiwan) 2015), signifying the major role it plays in the aquaculture industry in the country.Feeding costs are responsible for almost 50% of the operational costs incurred in aquaculture production (Kaliba et al, 2006;Salger et al, 2020;Soliveres, 2015). For example, in Tanzania, Tilapia's feeding cost is around 10.37 USD/150 m 2 pond and with a total operating cost (from juvenile to adult fish) of 19.39 USD/150 m 2 pond (Kaliba et al, 2006).…”