Growth Performance and Profitability of Nile Tilapia Fed Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal Diets in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Fish meal, the principal protein source used in aquaculture, is becoming less available and more expensive, thereby constraining the sustainable development of fish farming. This study evaluated the growth performance and economic profitability of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed diets in which fish meal was replaced with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) during pond-based grow-out. The trial followed a completely randomised design comprising four dietary treatments with two replicates over 150 days (5 months). Nile tilapia juveniles (initial mean weight: 6.75 ± 0.57 g) were stocked in eight 175 m² ponds at a density of 2.2 fish/m² (385 fish/pond) and fed four formulated diets in which fish meal was replaced with BSFLM at rates of 0% (R1, control), 25% (R2), 50% (R3), and 100% (R4). Growth performance, feed efficiency, survival, and water physicochemical parameters were monitored, and an economic analysis was performed. Fish fed the R4 diet recorded the highest final mean weight (290.6 ± 1.98 g), weight gain (283.85 ± 1.98 g), average daily gain (1.89 ± 0.02 g/day), and specific growth rate (2.51 ± 0.01%/day), all of which were significantly higher (P = 0.001) than those of the other treatments; the other treatments did not differ significantly from one another. Feed conversion ratio (2.41–2.67) and survival rate (83.1–86.6%) did not differ significantly among treatments (P > 0.05). The lowest production cost (2.096 ± 0.002 USD/kg) and highest net profit (129.74 ± 0.58 USD) were obtained with R4. Under the local pond conditions evaluated over 150 days, BSFLM replaced fish meal at rates up to 100% without reducing the measured growth or economic outcomes.