UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Aims: To standardize the protein requirement for climbing perch using a Black Soldier Fly larval meal-based diet for the improved growth, digestive performance, and meat quality of Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792).

Study design: The experimental group replaced the fish meal with 40% black soldier fly larvae meal at different protein concentrations, viz. T4-20%, T5-25%, T6-30%, and T7-35% CP.

Place and duration of study: Erode Bhavani Sagar Centre for sustainable aquaculture, between 2023 and 2024

Result: After the 60^th day of experiment, T6-30% and T7-35% CP diet-fed fishes resulted better growth and survival T6-30% (99±1.6%) than T4-20% and T5-25% fed fishes. The mean length gain (MLG) and percentage length gain (PLG) (5.64±0.07cm, 148.47±4.01) and (5.37±0.15cm, 135.65±6.52), Mean Weight Gain (MWG) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in T7-35% (17.66±1.64g) and T6-30% (17.42±1.54g). Specific Growth Rate (SGR) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in T6-30% (4.31±0.13), T7-35% (4.21±0.13), and T5-25% (4.08±0.12) than T4-20% (3.76±0.23). Hematological parameters and meat quality of experimental fish significantly (p>0.05) varied with different diet protein concentrations. The estimated cost-benefit analysis based on the FCR of each diet revealed that T6-30% (1:1.105) was cost effective.

Conclusion: Hence, the cost effective 30% crude protein diet in which 40% of Fish meal replaced with Black soldier fly larvae meal would be economically and environmentally sustainable for the culture of Anabas testudineus.