The effect of different levels of DDGS and Sunflower meal were tested on the growth performance and body composition of Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) Abbassa strain through two experiments.
Experiment 1 evaluated the effect of three diets containing levels of DDGS (0%, 15%, and 30%) as a protein source. Triplicates of fifteen Nile tilapia fingerlings (48.8±3.67 initial body weight) were fed diets twice daily to the apparent satiation for 8 weeks in fiberglass tanks. The results showed that the tested inclusion rates of DDGS up to 30% on fish survival, fish body composition, final body weight, SGR, weight gain, feed intake, FCR, and protein efficiency were similar between all the tested diets.
In experiment 2, Nile tilapia fingerlings (49.76±1.87 initial body weight) of Abbassa strain were fed two experimental diets, control diet and 10% sunflower meal (diet 1) for 10 weeks. Each diet was fed to 4 replicate tanks. The results showed that average final weight, SGR, and FCR were similar among the treatments. Therefore, using 10% sunflower meal did not cause any adverse effect on fish growth, survival, and FCR.
Overall, these experiments confirm that in situation s where soybean meal is not readily available, other protein sources such as the DDGS and sunflower meals, if available, could be used in fishmeal-free diets for tilapia. The tested diets did not affect the body composition of fish (fat, ash , moisture and protein).
Conclusion: The results showed that up to 34% of soybean meal and 80% of rice bran can be replaced by DDGS (30% in the diet) without any negative effects on the fish survival, growth and feed utilization parameters. In addition, replacing 17% of soybean meal with sunflower meal did not cause any adverse effect on fish growth, survival and FCR.