Effect of a New Feed Daphnia magna (Straus, 1820), as a Fish Meal Substitute on Growth, Feed Utilization, Histological Status, and Economic Revenue of Grey Mullet, Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus 1758)

Hamdy A. Abo-Taleb, Mohamed Ashour, Mohamed A. Elokaby, Mohamed M. Mabrouk, Mohamed M. M. El-feky, Othman F. Abdelzaher, Ahmed Gaber, Walaa F. Alsanie and Abdallah Tageldein Mansour
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Hamdy A. Abo-Taleb: Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11823, Egypt
Mohamed Ashour: National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Cairo 11516, Egypt
Mohamed A. Elokaby: National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Cairo 11516, Egypt
Mohamed M. Mabrouk: Fish Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11823, Egypt
Mohamed M. M. El-feky: Aquatic Resources, Natural Resources Studies and Research Department, College of High Asian Studies, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
Othman F. Abdelzaher: Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11823, Egypt
Ahmed Gaber: Department of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Walaa F. Alsanie: Department of Clinical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Abdallah Tageldein Mansour: Animal and Fish Production Department, College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 13, 1-15

Abstract: The formulator of aquatic diets is part of a continuous search for alternative protein sources instead of depreciated fish meal. The utilization of zooplankton as a feed ingredient is an interesting trend due to their high-quality protein content and abundance of essential nutrients. The current study aims to investigate the effects of partial and total replacement of fish meal (FM) by Dahpnia magna meal (DMM) on growth performance, feed utilization, histological, and economic status of mullet, M. cephalus, larvae. In addition to the control diet, 100% FM, D 0 , four diets containing DMM at different levels were used: 25% (D 25 ), 50% (D 50 ), 75% (D 75 ), and 100% (D 100 ) replacement of fish meal. A total of 300 larvae (0.097 ± 0.001 g) were equally divided into five groups (three replicate per each group) at a density of 200 larvae m −3 . The aquariums were renewed at a rate of 30% daily. During the 60-day experimental period, all larvae were fed their respective diets at a level of 20% of live body weight, five times a day (9.00 a.m., 12.00, 15.00, 18.00, and 21.00 p.m.). The results indicated that compared to D 0 , fish fed D 75 recorded the highest significant value of growth, and feed utilization parameters, while fish fed D 100 achieved the lowest feed cost and incidence cost, and the highest profit index and economic efficiency ratio. A strong correlation was reported among weight gain, feed conversion ratio and fish meal replacement with DMM; R 2 = 0.94 and 0.91, respectively. The fit regression model representing mullet response to FM replacement with DMM is a poly-nominal regression model with maximum response at 75–100%. The histological investigation of the intestine revealed an improvement of histomorphometric indices and goblet cell number with increasing DMM inclusion levels. These findings confirmed that 75% to 100% partial substitution of FM with DMM is the ideal replacement for mullet, M. cephalus, larvae for improving fish growth performance and feed utilization.

Keywords: Daphnia; substitution; flathead grey mullet; growth performance; histomorphometry; economic revenue (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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