Cockroach (Periplaneta Americana) as fishmeal replacer in diets of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Juveniles

The utilization of insects as feed has witnessed dramatic inclusion in livestock and aquaculture diets. The farming of cockroach (Periplaneta americana) is gaining acceptance among industries. However, research on its use in livestock and fish nutrition is scanty. This study aimed at investigating the growth of Clarias gariepinus juveniles fed cockroach insect meal (CIM) as fishmeal (FM) replacer. One hundred and fifty Clarias gariepinus juveniles (6.29 ± 0.06 g) were stocked at 10 fish/tank/replicate and fed 40% crude protein diets formulated thus: Diet 1 (0% CIM; control), Diet 2 (25% CIM), Diet 3 (50% CIM), Diet 4 (75% CIM) and Diet 5 (100% CIM). Fish were fed at 5% of their body weight twice daily for 56-day experimental period. The results showed that final weight, mean weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency and food conversion ratios of fish fed 25 and 50% insect meal-based diets were not significantly different (p>0.05) from those treated with the control diet. Survival rates were not significantly different in all dietary treatments. Quadratic regression analysis revealed that insect meal can be used at up to 58% inclusion level in diets of C. gariepinus juveniles for optimal growth. Keywords: Amino acid, Blattodea, fish-nutrition, growth performance, C. gariepinus