EFFECTS OF PARTIAL SUBSTITUTION OF DIETARY FISH MEAL BY MEALWORM (Tenebrio molitor) ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND FEED UTILIZATION OF JUVENILE ROCKFISH (Sebastes schlegeli)

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing fish meal protein with mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) meal (WM) on the growth performance and feed utilization of rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) juvenile. Five isonitrogenic and isolipidic diets were prepared with levels of 0, 8, 16, 24 and 32% WM (designated as WM0, WM8, WM16, WM24 and WM32). Three replicate groups (35 fish per tank) of fish averaging 6.8 ± 0.07 g were hand fed visual satiation at two times a day for 8 weeks. Survival was not significantly affected by experimental diet (p > 0.05). Weight gain of fish fed diets containing 8-24% WM was not different to that of fish fed WM0 diet (p > 0.05). But, weight gain of fish fed diet 32% WM was significantly lower than that of fish fed the WM0 diet (p < 0.05). Feed efficiency, daily feed intake, daily protein intake and protein efficiency ratio were not significantly affected by different dietary WM level (p > 0.05). The results of this experiment suggested that WM is a valuable ingredient as a candidate to replace fish meal in the diet and could be used up to 24% for the growth of juvenile rockfish.