Farinha de tenébrio na alimentação de Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Abstract

Fish farming is the fastest growing agribusiness sector in the world. However, the costs of feeding the animals are estimated to be between 50 and 70% of the total cost of production, in this sense the search for nutritious and viable ingredients in order to lowering the cost of feed without harming the growth of animals has been the subject of numerous researches. Some species of insects have been tested and showed potential for use in formulations of diets for various species of fish. Therefore, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the inclusion of diferente protein levels of Tenébrio molitor larvae meal in replacement of fish meal in the performance of zebrafish (Danio rerio). The fishmeal protein was replaced by the protein of the flour of tenébrio in the levels of 25% and 50% in the ration, based on a control ration with 0% of substitution. A total of 120 zebrafish juveniles were used, distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with three treatments and four replications. The animals were fed three times a day at 09:00, 13:00 and 17:00 hours. Every biweekly, biometrics were used during the experimental period to monitor zootechnical development. All treatments presented survival of 100%. The treatment with 50% substitution had better results for weight, weight gain and specific growth rate (TBI) compared to control. It is concluded that the substitution of fishmeal protein by 50% of the protein of the flour of tébrio improves the zootechnical performance of zebrafish and can be used as protein source.