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September 18, 2025

Comparison of Fish and Soybean Meals on Growth Rate and Feed Efficiency of Fish Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Through the Use of Biofloc Technology

Key Points

Fingerlings fed a mix of 15% fish and 15% soybean meals showed superior weight gain compared to controls, indicating effective feed strategies.
Significant differences in length gain were observed among groups, with group D achieving the highest growth metrics.
The experiment utilized biofloc technology to assess feed conversion ratios, showing group D had the best FCR of 1.17.
Results suggest that incorporating fish meal enhances growth in Nile tilapia more than solely using soybean meal.

Abstract

Using biofloc technology, this study compared the effects of fish and soybean meals on the development rate and feed efficiency of fish Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at the Fisheries Research and Training Institute (FR&TI) Manawan, Lahore. Three hundred and sixty (360) O. niloticus fingerlings were split up into four groups, each consisting of thirty fingerlings: A Control, B, C, and D. In contrast to the other three groups (B, C, and D), which received feed containing various combinations of fish and soybean meals, such as 30% fish meal, 30% soybean meal, and 15% fish meal+15% soybean meal, respectively, the control group (A) received regular feed devoid of fish and soybean meals. Fish samples were weighed and measured for length and weight at 14, 30, 45, and 60 days. The physio-chemical characteristics of each glass aquarium's water, such as pH, temperature, and dissolve oxygen, were measured every day and every two weeks for the duration of the 60-day study. With average values of 18.99±0.312, 23.51±0.261, 21.58±0.305, and 27.23±0.632 for groups A (Control), B, C, and D, respectively, weight gain varied substantially (p < 0.05), with group D's fingerlings gaining the most. Likewise, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the length growth of fingerlings between groups, with average averages of 13.11±0.315, 14.18±0.200, 13.68±0.152, and 14.76±0.172 for groups A (Control), B, C, and D, respectively. Group D's fingerlings had the highest gain. Similarly, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the feed conversion ratio between groups A (Control), B, C, and D, with the fingerlings in group D having a higher FCR. The values for these groups were 2.03, 1.57, 1.33, and 1.17, respectively.Overall, the findings demonstrated that the fingerlings fed a mix of 15% fish and 15% soybean meals outperformed Group A (Control) and another mix of feed given to Groups B and C in terms of weight increase, length gain, and feed efficiency (P<0.05). Additionally, there was a significant difference in the outcomes across groups (P<0.05). Additionally, the data showed that fingerlings fed 30% fish meal feed performed better than those fed 30% soybean meal feed.

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