Although a lean fish species, the flesh of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus, like many other fish species have been shown to incorporate essential fatty acids including the omega-3 ver y long-chain poly unsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from their feed . Considering the immense benefits of these fatty acids to human health and the status of C. gariepinus as the most farmed and consumed fish species in Nigeria, it is important to understand how feeds influence the fatty acid profile of farmed C. gariepinus. This is more imperative as the traditional fish feed ingredients, fishmeal and fish oil, are being replaced with cheaper, more available and sustainable alternatives such as insect meals. In recent times, the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens has become increasingly farmed and touted as a suitable alternative. This research aime d to evaluate fatty acid composition of C. gariepinus fingerlings fed different percentages of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL).
A total of 450 C. gariepinus fingerlings were randomly divided into three groups (triplicate per group) of 60 per 1000-liter tank. Thr ee experimental feeds were formulated, replacing fishmeal with BSFL at inclusion rates of 0%, 50%, and 100% respectively. After 72 days of feeding at 5% body weight, proximate and fatty acid analysis of the feed and fish were conducted.
Proximate and fatty acid analysis showed significant differences in the chemical composition of C. gariepinus fed the different feeds (Tables 1 and 2) . Protein contents were higher in fish fed 0 % BSFL. Except for arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), fatty acids were also higher in fish fed 0% BSFL (Table 2). Only fish fed 100% BSFL contained DHA. The 0% and 50% feed and the fish fed on them contained neither EPA nor DHA. Unfortunately, the fishmeal used was not analyzed and it can only be inferred to contain little to no EPA or DHA.