Darwis, Syahrul, Haerunnisa, Yusran, Andi Sulfanita, Sufardin, Adi Zulkarnaen, Ahmad Yani, Novita Dwi Yanti
The increasing demand for sustainable aquafeed ingredients has encouraged the search for alternative protein sources to replace conventional fishmeal. P. pardalis, an invasive catfish, has potential as a novel raw material for aquaculture, offering both economic benefits and environmental impact mitigation through invasive species control. This study aims to evaluate the proximate composition, heavy metal safety, and growth performance of tilapia (O. niloticus) fed diets supplemented with graded levels of P. pardalis meal as a substitute for commercial fishmeal. Diets were formulated by replacing fishmeal at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% with P. pardalis meal, and tilapia fingerlings were reared under controlled conditions for growth assessment. Standard methods were applied for proximate analysis and heavy metal determination. Growth performance indicators, including weight gain, absolute growth rate, and specific growth rate, were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results showed that P. pardalis meal contained moderate protein (22.54–23.47%), low lipid (3.42–5.49%), and acceptable ash and carbohydrate levels, indicating suitability as a dietary ingredient. Heavy metals (Hg, As, Cd, Pb) were below international safety limits, ensuring feed safety. Growth performance across treatments was comparable, with mean weight gain ranging from 7.05 ± 0.22 to 8.88 ± 0.19g, and no significant differences were detected among diets (P> 0.05). This suggests that the complete replacement of fishmeal with P. pardalis meal did not compromise tilapia growth under the experimental conditions. In conclusion, P. pardalis meal represents a safe and sustainable alternative to conventional fishmeal in tilapia diets, offering both ecological and economic benefits. © 2025, Egyptian Society for the Development of Fisheries and Human Health. All rights reserved.
Faculty of Education, Puangrimaggalatung University, Jl. Sultan Hasannudin, Maddukelleng, Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi, 90918, Indonesia; Aquaculture Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Bosowa University, Jalan Urip Sumoharjo KM. 4, South Sulawesi, Makassar, 90245, Indonesia; Faculty of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries, Puangrimaggalatung University, Jl. Sultan Hasannudin, Maddukelleng, Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi, 90918, Indonesia; Faculty of Engineering, Muhammadiyah Pare-pare University, Jl. Jendral Ahmad Yani KM-6,, South Sulawesi, Pare-Pare, 90721, Indonesia; Research Center for Veterinary Science, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jl. Raya Jakarta–Bogor Km-46,, West Java, Bogor, 16911, Indonesia; Development Economics Study Program, Faculty of Economics and Business, Makassar State University, South Sulawesi, Makassar, 90245, Indonesia; Fisheries Aquaculture Engineering Study Program, Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic Sorong, Southwestern Papua, Southwest Papua, 98411, Indonesia; Fisheries Resource Management Study Program, Department of Aquatic Resources Management, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Mulawarman University, East Kalimantan, Samarinda, 75119, Indonesia
