Rapid expansion of aquaculture in recent decades has allowed the industry to meet the growing global seafood demand. However, it is important that future growth in this sector is accomplished sustainably. Because of this, insect meal is rising in popularity as a protein replacement for fishmeal, which is commonly used in formulated finfish diets and is in limited global supply. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of microparticulate diets produced with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens,) larvae meal (BSFL; Stratium, Buffalo. NY) on the growth and survival of island silverside (Menidia beryllina) larvae.
Two experimental diets were produced and were based on an open-formula reference diet (OFRD) developed for marine fish larvae. The benefits of the OFRD is that the formulation is open-source which allows direct comparison with related studies and can be used by commercial feed manufacturers for product development and formulation. The experimental control diet (OFRD) was based on the standard OFRD formulation whereas in the second diet half (50%) of the marine ingredients, on a crude protein basis, were replaced with BSFL meal. These two experimental diets were compared with one another and with a commercially-available diet (Otohime) in a 10-day feeding trial with larval Inland silversides (Menidia beryllina). Larval growth parameters (lengths, dry weights and condition factors) were not significantly different between those fed the diet containing BSFL meal (50% MPR) and those fed the OFRD. Ultimately, this study suggests that BSFL meal can be used in early life stage diets for some finfish species, in this case inland silversides, without compromising the larval growth.