Growth Response of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fries Fed on Silage-based Diets

Fish silage was prepared using minced fish body leftovers by adding formic acid and formulated with other plant source ingredients. The silage making process was completed after 48 days, and incorporated into the experimental diets. The growth trial was conducted to investigate the effect of silage incorporation in the diets of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) fries. Three dried diets containing (T1) 0%, (T2) 20% and (T3) 30% silage were prepared with 30% crude protein and the experiment was conducted in 12 glass aquaria with a stocking density of 30 fish/aquarium for 16 weeks. Results indicated that WG, FCR, and SGR of O. niloticus fries fed on T2 and T3 diets were not affected (p<0.05) by the difference in feed. The least growth performance was recorded in T1 and it was significantly different (P < 0.05) with T2 and T3. The fries fed on silage incorporation showed the best survival rate (100%) but the fries that fed without silage had less survival rate (83.3%). This indicates fish silage can be used as a feed for O.niloticus at an early stage. Under the present study condition, incorporation of fish silage at 20% inclusion in the diets of O. niloticus fries is better and further study is necessary for different inclusions.