The Use of Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal H. illucens for the Pre Growth of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) Fingerlings Reared in Floating Cages in Benin

To increase the value of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae in the diet of Tilapia reared on aquaculture farms in Benin, three diets RR, RT and R55 were tested in triplicate in floating cages for 35 days on Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings with a mean initial weight Pmi = 7±0.220 g. The stocking density was 70 fingerlings/m3. RR is an imported commercial feed while RT is a fishmeal diet. R55 is a diet based on Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) meal with an incorporation rate of 55%. Control fishing was carried out every 7 days and hematological constants were determined. The results show that the feed tested significantly affect zootechnical parameters (p ˂ 0.05). The Final Mean weight (FMW) of fingerlings fed the experimental diets ranged from 16.37±1.18 (RT) to 21.53±1.42 (R55). The best specific growth and economic conversion rates were obtained with R55 (3.21±0.064 %day-1 and 0.95±0.18%), which also had better Hb levels. An incorporation rate of 55% of BSFL meal in the feed of O. niloticus fingerlings therefore induced good zootechnical performance and better economic profitability.