RT Journal T1 EFFICACY OF DIFFERENT PROTEIN LEVELS ON GROWTH, IMMUNITY AND MEAT QUALITY OF NILE TILAPIA (Oreochromis niloticus) UNDER ZERO EXCHANGE HETEROTROPHIC CULTURE A1 Irsa Arshad A1 Abdul Mateen A1 Sajid Abdullah A1 Muhamad Sajid Aqeel Ahmad JF Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences JO JAPS SN 1018-7081 VO 36 IS 4 YR 2026 FD 2026 DO DOI https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2026.4.0092 AB

Biofloc treatment is an eco-friendly and affordable technology which has been adopted over the last three decades to improve aquaculture sustainability. In this study, fingerlings were randomly distributed into different aquariums and fed diets with varying protein levels (15, 20, 25 and 30%). This study investigated the effect of different crude protein (CP) levels on growth, immunity and meat quality of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under zero exchange heterotrophic culture conditions. Results showed that fish fed 25 and 30% protein diets had the highest growth rate, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio. Weigh gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) significantly increase in fish fed 25 and 30 % CP levels (p<0.05). Proximate analysis showed that the fish fed 25 and 30% CP had the highest protein content, lowest lipid content and improved fatty acid profile. Additionally, fish fed 30% protein had the lowest mortality rate and highest survival rate. Immune parameters (WBCs, plasma parameters, lysozyme and antioxidants enzymes activity) were significantly enhanced in fish fed 25 and 30% CP (p<0.05). The best growth performance was obtained when the fish fed on the 25 and 30% CP in diet and can be used as sustainable production of fish under zero exchange heterotrophic culture system.

K1 Biofloc, Dietary protein, Heterotrophic culture, Nile Tilapia, Nutrition PB Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum LK https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2025-JAPS-1077