The present study evaluated the inclusion of meat and bone meal (FCO) in Nile tilapia larvae feeding. The diet was formulated to be isoproteic (38.6% DP) and isocaloric (3500kcal DE kg-1) with different FCO levels at 0; 5; 10 and 15%. A 30-day trial was carried out in a complete randomized design with 360 Nile tilapia larvae (6.59 ± 0.02mg and 0.90 ± 0.08cm) distributed in 24 50l-aquaria and fed until satiation five times a day at 8h00, 10h30, 13h00, 15h30 and 18h00. At the end of the experiment the average final weight (PF), final length (CF), standard length (CP) and survival (%) (SO) were evaluated and the data was submitted to a regression analyses. The Inclusion level of up to 15% of FCO in the diet did not influence larvae weight gain. However, the higher CP was observed in larvae fed with the highest level of FCO inclusion in diet. Therefore, it can be used a total of up to 15% of FCO inclusion in Nile tilapia larvae feeding ration.
aquiculture; performance; fish nutrition; Oreochromis niloticus
