Effects of non-defatted silkworm-pupae in diets on the growth of common carp, Cyprinus carpio

Abstract

Common carp fed over a period of 140 days on diets containing different levels of non-defatted pupae showed better growth with the diet containing 30% papa, without fish meal. Ten per cent and 20% of pupa in combination with 20% and 10% fish meal gave lower growth, although statistically there was no difference between different treatments. Digestibility of protein and fat from pupa diets was better than that from the fish meal control diet. Significantly higher deposition of protein, fat and ash was recorded with diets having 20% and 30% pupa. Experimental diets had no influence on organoleptic quality in terms of colour, odour, texture and flavour. The results show that non-defatted pupa could replace fish meal in the diet of common carp, without affecting growth and quality.