FERMENTED BLOOD MEAL USE FOR TIGER GROUPER, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus GROW-OUT DIET
ABSTRACT: The experiment aimed
to evaluate the optimal level of fermented blood meal used in grow-out diets
for tiger grouper, as an alternative protein source to fish meal. Juveniletiger
grouper, initial weight 31.1 ± 2.1 g, were stocked into 1x1x2 m3 floating net cages
at 20 fish cage-1. The treatment applied was isoprotein and isocaloric diets formulated
to contain fermented blood meal (FBM) of 0%, 7.5%, 15.0%, 22.5%, and 30.0%
replacement of fish meal protein. The diets were fed to the fish twice a day to
satiation for 20 weeks. Based on the Tukey test, the fish fed 0%–15.0% FBM demonstrated
similar performance (P>0.05) to those fed the control diet (FBM0) in terms
of specific growth rate, weight gain, and feed and protein efficiency. Specific
growth rate, weight gain, feed efficiency and protein efficiency of the fish
fed 22.5%– 30.5% FBM were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of the
fish fed control diet (FBM0). However, there was a significant culvilinier
decliner in overall fish performancewith increasing inclusion of FPM and most
notable for weight gain, feed efficiency and feed consumption. Based on
regression analysis, the asymptote where fish growth deteriorates as a function
of FBM inclusion was determined to be 8.9%. Tiger grouper diets incorporating
up to 9% FBM as fish meal replacement had no adverse affects on fish growth and
survival.
KEYWORDS: fermented blood
meal, tiger grouper grow-out
Author: Usman
Journal Code: jpperikanangg070006
