Abstract
Study was conducted to evaluate the potential application of the dried microalga Arthrospira platensis in Oreochromis niloticus diets as a replacement for fish meal protein. A. platensis was incorporated into fish diets at 0% (D1-control), 10% Diet2 (D2), 20% Diet3 (D3), and 30% Diet4 (D4) replacement of fish meal protein. The final weight gain was 42.90 +/- 1.83, 43.45 +/- 1.74, 45.89 +/- 1.42, and 46.64 +/- 1.27 g in the control, D2, D3, and D4 groups, respectively, with significant differences. Similarly, the SGR, FCR and survival rate of fish were improved with each increasing levels. Hematological parameters including the counts of RBCs and WBC, Hb, and Hct were increased when A. platensis levels increased in the experimental diets, with significant differences. Furthermore,AST and ALT activities showed significant decreases when A. platensis level was increased. Thus, this study indicated that diets containing high amounts of A. platensis microalga improved the growth, feed efficiency, survival rate, and immune response of O. niloticus.