Toward Feeds for Circular Multitrophic Food Production Systems: Holistically Evaluating Growth Performance and Nutrient Excretion of African Catfish Fed Fish Meal-Free Diets in Comparison to Nile Tilapia

In aquaponics and circular multitrophic food production systems, dietary protein source, as well fish species choice, particularly in cases of different nutritional physiology, could be factors affecting excreted nutrient profiles. Accordingly, growth performance, dissolved accumulation feces profiles were evaluated for African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) reared recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) fed single source diets based on black soldier fly larvae meal (BSF), poultry by-product (PM), blood (PBM) (FM) the results compared to previous findings Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). All resulted significantly performances catfish, with FM producing best followed by PM, BSF PBM. PM highest soluble reactive phosphorus concentrations (SRP) RAS water; whereas, K, Mg Cu concentrations. The density was recorded PBM; yielded lowest density. Comparing revealed that former showed better performance however, weaker BSF. Although K similar between across diets, significant differences total inorganic nitrogen SRP per unit feed individual diets. Despite profiles, produce less dry matter each diet tilapia. Findings are discussed regarding their implications aquafeed development context systems.