IMPACT OF BIOMOS AND AGRIMOS DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, FEED UTILIZATION AND IMMUNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF NILE TILAPIA (OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS) FINGERLINGS

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the potential benefits of Biomos® and Agrimos® as prebiotics in Nile tilapia diets. Seven experimental treatments were formulated from 30% protein basal diet to contain Biomos® and Agrimos® at levels of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 % for each, in addition to the control diet without any additives. Three hundreds and fifteen fingerlings of Nile Tilapia (O. niloticus) with average initial weight (7 ± 0.5 g), were randomly allocated into 7 treated groups allotted into 21 glass aquaria (three replicates of 15 fish / each treatment). Each aquarium measured 60× 35× 40 cm2. The fish were fed at 3% fish biomass along the experiment which lasted for 15 weeks. The results revealed significant improvements in growth and all feed utilization parameters in the prebiotic supplemented groups. The diets containing Biomos® (0.1%) and Agrimos® (0.2%) revealed the highest growth and protein utilization parameters values. Experimental fish carcass composition was relatively affected by the different dietary treatments. The hematological, biochemical and immunological parameters of the experimented groups indicated significant increase in Biomos® and Agrimos® treated groups. The achieved results demonstrated that Biomos® and Agrimos® at levels of 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively could be used in Nile tilapia diets without negative effects on growth, feed utilization, blood and immunological parameters. Hence, Biomos® and Agrimos® could be added to commercial diets to improve tilapia fingerlings immune response.