Protein and energy digestibility of insect meals for angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)Insect meal has been the subject of numerous studies in recent years, and its potential in animal feeding has also been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the digestibility coefficients of protein, dry matter, and energy of some insect meals: black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), cricket (Gryllus spp.), cricket nymph, and mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) for angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare). A total of 225 adults of P. scalare, weighing 30 ± 2.32 g each, were housed in 15 200-L circular fiber tanks at a density of 15 fish per experimental unit in triplicate. Digestibility was estimated by the indirect method, using chromium oxide as an inert indicator. For feces collection, the modified Guelph system was used. Among the tested insect meals, black soldier fly meal presented a superior digestibility coefficient for dry matter (0.77), protein (0.901), and energy (0.82). The mealworm presented an inferior digestibility coefficient (dry matter = 0.67, protein = 0.88, and energy = 0.77). Cricket (adult and nymph meals) showed similar values of coefficients of dry matter and energy digestibility. These results indicated that the insect meals investigated in this study present suitable alternatives as feed for angelfish.
Keywords
Alternative food; Cricket; Digestibility coefficients; Fishmeal; Fish nutrition; Ornamental fish