Effect of replacing partly commercial feed by black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae on survival rate and growth performance of swamp eels (Monopterus albus) cultured in mud - free conditions

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing commercial feed with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae at different levels on the survival rate and growth of Monopterus albus in mud-free farming conditions. A total of 900 swamp eels with an average weight of 24.09 g/eel were completely randomly allocated into 3 dietary treatments with 3 replicates, namely NT1 (100% commercial feed), NT2 (90% commercial feed + 10% Hermetia illucens larvae) and NT3 (80% commercial feed + 20% Hermetia illucens larvae). Eels were raised in the tank with a 1 x 1 x 0.6 m diameter, mud-free floor and shade cover). The experiment lasted for 150 days. The results showed that length gain and survival rate were not statistically significant among treatments (p>0.05). However, daily weight gain and specific growth rate in live weight were higher in NT3 than those in NT1 and NT2 and the feed conversion ratio was lower in NT3 than in others (p<0.05). In conclusion, feeding 80% commercial feed and 20% black soldier fly larvae significantly improved the growth performance of swamp eels kept in mud-free farming conditions.