ASSESSING GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF NILE TILAPIA (Oreochromis niloticus) RAISED WITH MAIZE BRAND MIXED WITH TERMITES (Macroterms bellicosus) IN POND CULTURE
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Date
2026-09-27
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Busitema university
Abstract
Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is an important cultured fish species because of its fast growth, adaptability and contribution to food security and household income. However, the high cost of fish feed remains a major constraint to profitable aquaculture production. This study evaluated the effect of integrating termite meal (Macrotermes bellicosus) with maize bran on the growth performance, and economic performance of Nile tilapia. Three dietary treatments were evaluated: maize bran only, a mixture of maize bran + termite meal at a ratio of 1:1(5kg of maize bran+ 5kg of termite meal) and termite meal only. The feeding trial lasted 90 days. Growth performance was assessed using final body weight, weight gain and specific growth rate, while Economic performance was assessed using feed cost, revenue, net return and benefit-cost ratio. The results showed that the mixture of maize bran plus termite meal at a ratio of one to one (5kg of maize bran+5kg of termite meal diet yielded significantly superior growth performance, with the highest final body weight, weight gain and specific growth rate. Economically, the 100% maize bran diet had the lowest feed cost and the highest benefit-cost ratio, whereas the 5kg of maize bran + 5kg termite meal diet (a ratio of one-to-one nutritive dietary balance) generated the highest net return per fish. Overall, mixing M. bellicosus meal with maize bran improved growth and feed conversion compared with maize bran alone and termite alone and provided a favorable balance between biological performance and economic return. By providing an appropriate balance of nutrients and carbon, termites and maize bran enhance macro-microbial acceleration that provide natural food production to Nile tilapia, as such nutrient utilization by Nile tilapia is efficiently balanced resulted into increased body weight and reduced production cost. The maize bran + termite meal diet is therefore a promising alternative feeding option for Nile tilapia production under the conditions of the study.