Bársony, PéterKnop, RenátaMAINA, JOHN KIGURU2025-06-162025-06-162025-05-07https://hdl.handle.net/2437/391829The aquaculture sector has shown an incredible annual growth rate of 15.55%, with production levels rising from 110,200 tons in 1995 to more than 2.19 million tons by 2018 (HINRICHSEN et al., 2022). The African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) distinguishes itself from other species by its exceptional adaptation to a variety of aquatic conditions, fast growth rate, and high market demand. Despite the many advantages of farming C. gariepinus, the aquaculture industry faces several challenges that threaten its long-term viability and further development. One key concern is the high cost of feed, which accounts sometimes 85% of total fish farmers' operating expenses (SHUMO et al., 2019). Traditional aquaculture feeds heavily on fishmeal that is derived from wild-caught fish stocks, which is both unsustainable and leads to depletion of marine resources and loss of biodiversity. The production of fish meal makes the market price to be on the rise as it has utility in both humans and animals. The situation illustrates the urgent need for alternatives sources to protein that could lower feeding costs while ensuring the sustainability of aquaculture practices. Blood meal, poultry byproducts, meat and bone meals, and microbial elements have shown to have a positive effect on growth of various fish species (GASCO et al., 2018). Even though these alternatives seem promising, there are still obstacles to overcome, such as improving growth, ease of digestion, and nutritional availability. The present study focuses on the mass production of these components while also analyzing their influence on the health of fish to reduce reliance on traditional feed sources and ensure the use of sustainable aquaculture techniques (FANTATTO et al., 2024; Hua et al., 2019.). Insects have been cited to being versatile and animals and humans have always had insects as part of the diet. There are over 2000 species of insects that are regarded as a delicacy in Latin America, Africa and Asia (AYIEKO et al., 2010). The nutritional content of these insects varies not only between varied species but also within the same species. Insects are consumed for their protein, minerals, medicinal value, and cultural significance amongst different communities in the world (AYIEKO ET AL., 2010). Moreover, a study by RUMPOLD & SCHLÜTER, (2013) showed that most insects provide nutritional benefits to human diets since they are reach in zinc, copper, phosphorous, magnesium, manganese, biotin, folic acid, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and some contain riboflavin. Regions plays a key role in choice of insect, in temperate region, insects such as crickets cockroaches ,common house fly larvae, and wax moths are preferred for pet food and also as fish baits (MMARI et al., 2017).In addition, crickets, black soldier fly and common housefly have been pointed out as future insects in the poultry and pet sector (BELHADJ SLIMEN et al., 2023) Along waste management practices, black soldier fly larvae have been instrumental in reduction of foul smell associated with waste, reducing biomass of waste that would pose as a health hazard and reduction of the moisture content of farm waste (MUNGUTI et al., 2023). The larvae of the black soldier fly (BSFL) have demonstrated to be an appropriate choice due to their beneficial nutritional profile and environmental benefits (ARAGÃO et al., 2022). When compared to conventional fish meal in aquatic nutrition, BSFL offers a comparative alternative due to its high protein content, antioxidant characteristic and an extensive range of amino acids. (GASCO et al., 2018). The feed, Black soldier fly larvae was bought from a Hungarian company called GRINSECT, Hódmezővásárhely. It contained Crude protein 55%, Crude Fat10% and a moisture content of 4%. Fish meal and fish oil was from Poland. Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were prepared. The fish meal was replaced at an interval of 0%,25%,50% and 75%. The other feed components used in the mix were purchased locally from reliable producers. Water was added to make a uniform mixture, 6% of total weight. It was added to make dough which was later pelletized after drying for 24 hours. Pellet size was 4.55 mm by use of a commercial pelletizer machine. (Table 3) Our research was carried out to examine the effect of replacing fishmeal with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFL) on the growth performance and feed utilization of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). The results of this study provide insights on the use of defatted Black Soldier Larvae meal inclusion, in the diet of African Catfish. Notably, the study results align with (Maranga et al., 2022) in demonstrating that lower inclusion levels of 25% BSFL and 50% BSFL meal have a positive effect on the growth parameters such as final weight gain, % weight gain, average daily growth, Standard Growth Rate (SGR), and Relative Growth Rate (RGR), comparable to the control diet (0% BSF). Conversely, high inclusion levels of 75% BSFL had a significant decline in the growth metrics. The ANOVA revealed significant difference in weight gain among the treatments. Control, BSFL 25%, BSFL 50% and BSFL 75% groups (P value < 0.05). The Tukey HSD Post Hoc test identified specific differences. Fish fed on 25% BSF(275 g) meal had an average weight gain that was 66 grams more than fish fed on 75% BSF(208 g) meal (P value =0.004).Fish fed on 50% BSF (291 g)meal had an average weight gain that was 83grams more than fish fed on 75% BSF meal (P value =0.004).Whereas control treatment(290 g) had an average weight gain that was 82 grams more than fish fed on 75% BSF (P value =0.004). All other comparisons between Control and BSF 25%, Control and BSF 50% and between BSFL 50% and BSFL 25% treatments were not significant as the P value >0.05. The fish fed on BSFL meal 25% and BSFL meal 50% did not show statistically significant difference from the control. (Figure 4&5). Black Soldier Fly larvae meal is a suitable alternative to the conventional fish meal diets of African catfish up to an inclusion level of 50%. The feed conversion ratio increases with levels of the larvae meal in the diet as at treatment BSF 75%, the FCR attained 2.23, while BSF 50% and BSF 25% an FCR of 1.82 and 1.76, respectively.44enBLACK SOLDIER FLY LARVAESUSTAINABLE PROTEINCLARIAS GARIEPINUSAgricultural SciencesHozzáférhető a 2022 decemberi felsőoktatási törvénymódosítás értelmében.