The use of cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) meal as protein source for snakehead fish (Channa striata)

The potency of the cricket meal (CM) as fish meal (FM) alternative in diets for snakehead (Channa striata) (initial average weight 15.0 g) was evaluated for eight weeks. Two isoproteic (42%) and isolipidic (10%) diets were formulated to contain FM and CM as source of protein. Experimental diets were given to the tested fish two times in a day at 08:00 and 16:00 hours until satiation in the semi-recirculating system with the water temperatures ranging from 28−29°C and the dissolved oxygen levels ranging from 8.0−9.0 mg/L. Fish were sampled at the end of the research to determine their proximate composition, growth and feed utilization. The results showed that no adverse effect of CM on growth, feed intake and survival rate of fish (P < 0.05). A group of fish fed with CM at 45% showed better in the weight gain (WG) (43.4 g/fish), FCR (1.35), and ANPU (31.0 %) than a CD (P> 0.05). It was concluded that the CM could be used in diet of C. striata with no deleterious effects on growth and feed performance. Moreover, improvement on WG, FCR and ANPU of C. striata fed with CM was observed in this study.