Effects of dietary-house cricket meal (Acheta domesticus) in the diet on growth, body biochemical composition and digestive activity of juvenile trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

International Sturgeon Research Institute, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Rasht, Iran.

10.22059/jfisheries.2026.405989.1471

Abstract

In recent years, insect meal has been recognized as a new, sustainable and economical protein source by researchers and has attracted the attention of producers. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of house cricket (Acheta domesticus) meal on growth performance, biochemical composition and digestive activity of rainbow trout fry. For the experiment, four diets with different amounts of 0% (control treatment), 25% (Ad25), 50% (Ad50) and 75% (Ad75) house cricket meal were formulated instead of fish meal. The diets were distributed in tanks in a completely randomized design in 4 treatments and three replications and 300 fish with an average initial weight (5.07±0.31 g) were distributed for 8 weeks and feeding was done three times a day until satiety. Physicochemical factors such as temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH were kept constant during the experiment. The results showed that the maximum final weight in the 50% treatment was 616.20±34.89% and a significant difference was observed between the zero, 25 and 75% treatments (P<0.05). In the 75% treatment, a significant decrease in growth and feed efficiency indices was observed compared to the control (P<0.05). The maximum protein content in the 50% treatment was also significantly different from the control. The fat and moisture content of the carcass in the experimental treatments were significantly different compared to control (P<0.05). The highest activity of protease and amylase enzymes recorded in fish fed the Ad50 diet. The results of this study showed that adding cricket meal instead of fish meal up to 50% can lead to the best growth performance, body biochemical compositions and digestive enzymes.

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References

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Journal of Fisheries
Volume 79, Issue 1
February 2026
Pages 39-50

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