Effect of dynamics of feeding Amaranthus spinosus leaf meal on growth performance, hematological profile, and survival of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus following Aeromonas hydrophila infection

Thisrnstudy evaluated the growth, hematological, and survival of Nile tilapia rearedrnfor 70 days to assess the effects of dynamics of feeding. Fish were fed dietrncontaining 25% and 50% ASLM (Amaranthus spinosus leaf meal), Amaranthusrnspinosus meal (ASM), and cassava leaf meal (CLM), with a control (C) basalrndiet in alternate (AF) and continuous (CF) feeding. Results showed that AFrnASLM50 improved final weight (Wf), weight gain (WG), and specific growth ratern(SGR) by 18.43%, 29.74%, and 17.51%, while achieving 13.21% lower feedrnconversion ratio (FCR) compared to CF. Fish fed CF ASLM50 exhibited higherrnwhite blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) levels than C. Following Aeromonasrnhydrophila infection, survival rates after seven days were significantlyrnhigher in ASLM50 (83%) than C (33%). These findings demonstrate that AF ASLM50rnimproves growth performance, while CF ASLM50 enhances disease resistancernthrough increased WBC and RBC levels and higher survival rates post-infection.rnIncorporating ASLM into the tilapia diet could significantly benefit thernaquaculture industry.