EFFECT OF FISH MEAL REPLACEMENT WITH SILKWORM Bombyx mori PUPAE MEAL ON GROWTH OF RAINBOW SHARK Epalzeorhynchos frenatum

Silkworm pupae, a major by-product of the sericulture industry is rich source of protein (54%) and fat (27%). It has been used in livestock production especially in poultry industry with positive results. Several workers have also utilized the silkworm pupae for growth of fish and have reported success in replacing fishmeal as an ingredient in fish feed.

An Experimental trail was conducted over a period of 60 days to study the effect of replacement of fish meal by silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae meal on growth of ornamental Rainbow Shark Epalzeorhynchos frenatum. The experimental diets with 35% crude protein were prepared using silkworm pupae meal at 3 different inclusion levels viz., 30% (T1), 40% (T2) and 50% (T3), with Fish meal (C) as the control. The fishes were fed twice a day @5 % of their body weight. The experimental trail was conducted in duplicates in happas (3m X 1m X 1m) installed in a earthen pond. Rainbow Shark fingerlings weighing an average of 1.4 g and the length 5.24cm were stocked @ 1/m² in each happa. Water quality parameters were monitored and recorded daily.

Among the different experimental diets, T1 with 30% Silkworm pupae yielded the highest average body weight gain of 3.14 g, with a Food Conversion Ratio (FCR) of 2.33, Feed Efficiency Ratio (FER) of 0.42, and Specific Growth Rate (SGR) of 1.95 in 60 days.  It could be concluded that Silkworm pupae meal can be used as a low-cost animal protein to replace fish meal up to 30% in the diet.