Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of the most aquacultured fish species worldwide, mainly due to its rapid growth performance and market value. However, as occurs in other farmed species, growth performance, feed efficiency and disease resistance are usually challenged by stressful situations derived from common culture practices. Phytogenic feed additives (PFA) have been demonstrated to be potential tools to improve production performance.
Three studies were conducted to determine the efficacy of a new phytogenic feed additive (saponins, spices and essential oils) on Nile tilapia juveniles growth performance and feed efficiency. Diets were formulated to contain different levels of Syrena® Boost (0, 200 & 400 mg/kg) and fed for 8 weeks to Nile tilapia juveniles in triplicates. Experimental tanks were 100 L & 350 L tanks, depending on the study.
After 8 weeks of dietary PFA supplementation, similar results were obtained in all three studies. In the first one, fish fed the different levels of the product showed a 11.6% & 9.7% increase in weight gain, 6.4% & 6.2% increase in specific growth rate (SGR) and 7.6% increase in total feed intake, depending on the dose, without compromising feed conversion ratio (FCR), compared to fish fed with the control diet. In the second study, fish fed PFA supplemented diet showed a significant (p≤0.05) increase of weight gain compared to fish fed the control diet by 7.2%, an increase in SGR by 6.7% and a significant (p≤0.05) improvement in FCR by 6.9% compared to fish fed the control diet. In the third trial, fish fed PFA supplemented diet showed a significant (p≤0.01) increase in feed intake by 6 & 6.2%, an increase in weight gain by 9.6% & 9.9% and a significant (p≤0.05) improvement in SGR by 4.8% & 7.9%, depending on the dosage.
In summary, these studies indicate the benefits of supplementing Syrena® Boost, a specific formulation of selected phytogenics, being efficient to promote tilapia growth performance, to stimulate feed intake and to optimize feed conversion ratio. All this supporting Syrena® Boost as an ideal phytogenic product to enhance the profitability of tilapia production in a cost-effective way.