Use of Black Pepper Seeds as a Growth Enhancer for Juvenile of Florida Hybrid Red Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus) X Oreochromis mosambicus (Peters)

Nutritionists are encouraging use of natural growth promoters in livestock feeds due to their ability to prevent side effects that causes by chemical agents. Black pepper seeds are spices that may use as feed additives to enhance survival, and growth of fish. In the present study, the effects of graded levels of black pepper seeds meal (BPSM) on growth performance, feed and nutrient utilization, body composition and cost-benefit analysis of Florida hybrid red tilapia juveniles were studied. Eight glass aquaria with the dimensions of 70 x 30 x 40 cm were used to stock 15 fish averaging 8.6 g/fish. Four experimental diets were formulated to contain 0, 0.5, 1.0,and 2 % of BPSM as feed additive in red tilapia diets. All the diets were isonitrogenous (29-30% crude protein) and isocaloric (457-463 kcal GE/100 g diet). The feedamount was given three times daily, six days a week for 60 days. Fish were weighed biweekly and feed amounts were adjusted on the basis of the new fish weight. Body weight, weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed the control diet was relatively lower than all diets had BPSM except the diet containing 2% BPSM. Fish fed 0.5% BPSM wassignificantly higher (P0.05%) were found in moisture, protein, fat, ash and energy contents among all the fish groups fed BPSM levels and the control diet. Inaddition, diet containing 0.5% BSM was economically superior to other tested levels of black paper in diets. It seemed to save about 28% of feed cost consumed to produce one kilogram fish gain (incidence cost). It was recommended to use black pepper seeds meal in fish feeds on the commercial scale at level of 0.5%.