Replacement of Fishmeal by Plant Proteins in Diets with Different Protein Levels for Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Sonora, Mexico

This study evaluated the effect of partial (50%) and complete replacement (100%) of fishmeal with a mixture of plant protein sources in 25% or 30% protein feeds on the biological performance and production of tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Four experimental diets containing soybean meal, alfalfa meal, and corn gluten meal in replacement of fishmeal were compared to a locally-used commercial diet as a control. Fish were fed the experimental diets for 13 weeks. At the end of the trial, there were significant differences in final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate, with the highest values in the treatments that included 11% fishmeal/30% protein and 5.5% fishmeal/25% protein. By using this mixture of locally available plant proteins, the costs of tilapia diets is lower and production is more profitable and sustainable.