Replacement of fishmeal by common cricket (<em>Acheta domesticus</em>) meal in diets for juvenile tilapia (<em>Oreochromis niloticus</em>)

Abstract

The present study was to substitute fishmeal with domestic cricket (<em>Acheta domesticus</em>) meals in diets for tilapia (<em>Oreochromis niloticus</em>) farming. Productive performance was evaluated by two diets based on Pearson's square, the treatment T1 with 20% inclusion and treatment T2 with 35%, respectively, and a control T3 (commercial feed) performed in triplicate. Each treatment had ten organisms weighing 9+5 gr for 40 days. Initial biometry was performed, and after this, every five days until the end of the bioassay. The production and survival variables were evaluated; Finally, a proximal analysis of moisture, ash, lipids, and protein was carried out. According to the weight gain, the performance of the diets presented significant differences between the three diets. T2 diet results were similar to T3 (Control) due to tilapia being omnivorous and having excellent resistance and adaptability to different types of food. Therefore, the possible use of this food can be considered, favoring its economic impact on tilapia crops.