POTENTIAL OF INSECT MEAL INCLUSION AS A MAIN PROTEIN SOURCE IN Amphiprion ocellaris DIETS

Research efforts in marine fish nutrition focus on finding alternative protein sources to reduce fish meal dependence in diets. Insects have been recognized as a sustainable and a high protein ingredient for animal feeding and also for maintaining food safety. Given the high demand of Amphiprion ocellaris in the ornamental trade and the need to reduce costs of feeds for marine ornamental fish market, the use of insect-based diets is considered an ingredient with high potential to replace fish meal.    

A. ocellaris is a species of great economic importance to the world ornamental trade. Despite the wide range of studies on the first feeding of this species, the nutritional requirements during growth and reproduction phases are still scarce. Some authors have stipulated the requirement of lipids and proteins for juvenile clownfish as 100 and 430 g/kg, respectively. Protein and lipid content in insect meals may vary according to the feeding regime of the insect, the species and its life stage. The protein content of insects that are being used in marine fish aquafeeds ranges from 70 to 800 g/kg. Regarding the lipid rate, the range is from 70.0 to 600 g/kg.

The potential of an alternative protein source in animal food depends on its digestibility and amino acids, fatty acids, minerals and vitamins profiles. Insects, in general, have a good amino acid profile, which makes it more adequate in replacing fish meal when compared to other protein sources, such as soy.

Larvae of Tenebrio molitor (A), pupae and larvae of Musca domestica (D, F) and adults of Nauphoeta cinerea (J) are examples of insects with excellent nutritional profile (Figure 1). Given the lack of nutritional knowledge of A. ocellaris, the use of insect meal as the main protein source in diets can reduce costs while maintaining the level of nutritional quality.

Acknowledgments: CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel) for their support funding the research.