The role of insect larvae in aquatic nutrition with emphasis on sturgeon

Document Type : Tarvij

Authors

1 International Sturgeon Research Institute, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Rasht, Iran

2 Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The aquaculture sector significantly depends on fish meal sourced from wild fish stocks. With concerns regarding overfishing, identifying alternate and sustainable feed sources is imperative. There are so many alternative sources that are easily available from animal and plant origin. Plant-based protein sources are abundant in proteins, but have an unbalanced amino acid profile. However, its anti-nutritional factors may affect digestion in some species. Due to this drawback, animal-based alternative feed sources must be explored to replace fish meal and plant-based protein in aqua-feed without adversely affecting productivity. Insects might be used as whole and alive or as dried larvae to feed aquatic animals. Insects are usually produced using food waste and locally available materials. Also, they can be used as sources of oil, protein and other valuable compounds including chitin in aquafeed. Industrially produced insects have characteristics such as a short life cycle, low feed conversion ratio, the possibility of breeding on a large scale and high density with low-value feed sources. The amino acids profile of insects is suitable for feeding aquatic animals; they also have sufficient protein contents. Among the insects, the black soldier fly at 15% in the Siberian fish diet, mealworms at 10% in the diet of juvenile stellate sturgeon, 30% in the diet of beluga and silkworms at 15% in the diet of beluga are common. Due to the positive physiological effects that insect larvae have on fish growth, it is better to use insect larvae as a substitute for Plant-based protein in the aquaculture industry, especially sturgeon.

Keywords

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics