Potential of earthworm meal as a replacement of fish meal for Indian major carps

Abstract

Fish meal is considered as the best protein source in fish and shrimp feed. However, due to its increasing cost and high demand in animal husbandry and aquaculture industry, there is a need for replacement of fish meal with ideal alternative protein source. Recent research shows the potential of earthworm meal as a replacement of fish meal. In the present study, the potential of earthworm meal (Eisenia fetida) as a replacement of fish meal for culture of three Indian major carps, catla (Catla catla, Hamilton), rohu (Labeo rohita, Hamilton,) and mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala, Hamilton) with stocking ratio 1:1:1 was evaluated in 12 cement concrete tanks with size of 2.5 m ×1.5 m ×1.5 m for a culture period of 90 days. Four experimental iso-nitrogenous (35% crude protein) and iso-caloric (15MJ kg-1) diets were prepared with (i) no replacement of fish meal (Diet A), (ii) 20% replacement of fish meal with earthworm meal (Diet B), (iii) 50% replacement of fish meal with earthworm meal (Diet C) and 100% replacement of fish meal with earthworm meal (Diet D). These diets were fed to the fishes twice a day at 3% body weight using broadcasting methods. Diet C treatment produced higher growth of fishes in comparison to the other treatments. In case of Diet C treatment, total fish production was found to be 63% higher than Diet A, 45% higher than Diet B and 16% higher than Diet D treatment. Based on the results obtained from the present study, it can be concluded that 50% replacement of fish meal with earthworm meal in the diet may be used as an ideal alternate protein source for better growth performance of Indian major carps.