Malunggay (Moringa oleifera) and Ipil-Ipil (Leucaena leucocephala) Lead Meals in Feeding Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)

Abstract

The growth performance in terms of weight, length and survival rate of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) was evaluated. There were three (3) treatments used in the study; T1 (Control) or Commercial feeds; T2 (Malunggay leaf meal), (30% Fish Meal+33%Malunggay+31%Rice Bran+5%Corn Starch+1%Fish Oil); T3 (Ipil-Ipil leaf meal), (30%Fish Meal+38%Ipil-Ipil+26%Rice Bran+5%Corn Starch+1% Fish Oil. The analysis of variance indicated that in terms in weight, length and survival rate of Nile Tilapia (O. niloticus) showed no statistical differences across treatments (p>0.50). The weight gain and length gain of Nile Tilapia (O. niloticus) in 30-day culture period also showed no statistical differences among treatments (p>0.50). However, treatments fed with commercially-available feeds and prepared feeds supplemented with malunggay and ipil-ipil leaf meal revealed comparable values. The findings showed that prepared feeds could support the growth of Nile Tilapia (O. niloticus). The findings also exhibited that two plant-based ingredients are effective as alternative fish feeds in feeding Nile Tilapia(O. niloticus) and the prepared supplemented feeds can reach the value of the T1 (Control) or the commercial feeds. The study serves as reference for small-scale fish farmers of using a viable alternative fish feed.