Effect of diets containing cocoa bean shell and coconut oil cake on the growth of Oreochromis niloticus (LINNE, 1758) in pond

Abstract

A 180-day feeding trial was conducted at fish farm ‘’Blondey‘’ (Côte d’Ivoire) with Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (LINNE, 1758) to evaluate the effect of cocoa bean shell and coconut oil cake on its growth. Juvenile tilapia (mean weight of 33.16 ± 2.2 g) was fed with a commercial diet (Ivograin) and two formulated diets twice daily (09.00 h and 15.00 h). The used stocking density was 2 fish/m2. Formulated diets were designated as D1 (cocoa bean shell, corn bran, soybean oil cake and cottonseeds oil cake) and D2 (coconut oil cake, corn bran, soybean oil cake and cottonseeds oil cake). All the tested diets contain around 28% protein and each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate ponds to evaluate growth, feed utilization, body composition and cost benefit. Fish fed diet with D1 gave the highest daily weight gain (1.94 ± 0.30 g/day) and the best feed conversion ratio (2.01). The lowest daily weight gain (1.53 ± 0.32 g/day) and the highest feed conversion ratio (2.47) were recorded for diet D2. Tilapia fed with diet D2 and commercial one (Ivograin) displayed similar growth and feed efficiencies patterns. Lipid accumulation was higher in fish reared with diets D1 and D2 compared to reference diet (Ivograin). Diets D1 and D2 reduce feed costs per unit of weight gain by 34.44 and 19.47%, respectively, compared to commercial diet.

Keywords: Oreochromis niloticus, feeding, cocoa bean shell, coconut oil cake, growth, Côte d’Ivoire.