Nutritional value of black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) as a feed supplement for fish

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to determine the value of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae and pupae as feed supplements for fresh-water fish (Carassius auratus). Black soldier fly larvae grown on food waste were fed to freshwater fish, live larvae alone, dried larvae, dried pupae and combination with commercial fish diet. A 16-week feed trial was conducted to determine whether black soldier fly larvae could be used as a feed supplement in fresh-water fish. The growth performance indicated that fish fed the live larvae ranked consistently higher, and in combination with commercial fish diet and dried larvae and pupae were next higher. The finding of this study suggest that black soldier fly larvae and pupae may be valuable feedstuff in commercial fish production.