A Review and Meta-analysis of the Effects of Replacing Fishmeal with Insect Meals on Growth of Tilapias and Sharptooth Catfish

The high cost of fish feed has affected the culturing tilapias and sharptooth catfish in Africa. However, Africa is well endowed with terrestrial insects that can potentially replace fishmeal diets fish. In this paper, nutritional index, availability, selected insect meals are compared. SOLVER function Excel was used to formulate least-cost Musca domestica, Gryllotalpa africana, Schistocerca gregaria, Macrotermes natalensis, Gonimbrasia belina. crude protein levels all were above 50% met requirements both species. essential amino acid index (EAAI) highest M. domestica (3.2613). Except for fat catfish. most available S. gregaria domestica. Feed value (15.62) followed by (15.52). A meta-analysis effects replacing meal on growth performance also carried out. effect summary specific rate significant whereas food conversion ratio not significant. relationship between replacement response showed wide scatter. It thus possible determine optimum level. recommended fishmeal.