Circular Aquaculture Innovation/Malaysia/2024
Effect of Fish Meal Substitution with Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) on Growth Performance, Feed Stability, Blood Biochemistry, and Liver and Gut Morphology of Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta splendens)
Peer-Reviewed
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This 2024 scientific article, published by MDPI and available through PubMed Central, examines the effect of substituting fishmeal with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) meal in diets for Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), an important species in Malaysia’s and ASEAN’s ornamental fish sector. The study evaluates growth performance, feed pellet stability, blood biochemistry, and liver and gut morphology at different inclusion levels of defatted black soldier fly larvae meal. Results help define practical inclusion limits, showing the levels at which insect meal can replace fishmeal without harming fish health or performance. The study also highlights constraints associated with chitin and lipid content, which can affect digestion and nutrient absorption at higher inclusion rates. These findings are important for feed formulators seeking to balance sustainability with fish welfare and product quality. Classed as direct and adjacent evidence under Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency, the article addresses a niche but economically significant segment of aquaculture. It is useful for ornamental fish producers and feed manufacturers in Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region, and for researchers interested in species-specific limits and physiological effects of insect-based feeds, complementing studies on food-fish species such as tilapia.
Additional Details
- Author(s)
- MDPI / PubMed Central
- Type
- Scientific article
- Aquaculture / Fisheries Dimension
- Ornamental aquaculture feeds
- Relevance to Climate Aquaculture
- Direct
- Thematic Area
- Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency
- Climate Issue
- Feed-ingredient sustainability
- Adaptation / Key Contribution
- Defines practical defatted-BSFL inclusion limits; chitin and lipid constraints on digestion
- How to Use / Notes
- Niche but useful ASEAN value-chain evidence