Utilising water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diets: Effects on growth, digestibility, and optimal inclusion rate

Juste Vital Vodounnou; Nicaise Tokeme; Romaric Iko; Safiatou Coulibaly; Simon Ahouansou Montcho; Jean Claude Micha

doi:10.3153/AR25020

EN

Utilising water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diets: Effects on growth, digestibility, and optimal inclusion rate

Abstract

This study investigates the potential of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) leaves as a protein-rich dietary alternative for Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia). Water hyacinth is an invasive aquatic plant with promising nutritional properties, including moderate protein content and low levels of antinutritional factors. The digestibility of WH leaves was assessed, and their optimal incorporation level in fish feed was evaluated. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) for WH leaf were 77.49% (dry matter), 69.58% (crude protein), and 59.14% (energy). Six experimental diets containing 0–12% WH leaf were formulated and fed to O. niloticus fingerlings over 45 days. Growth performance, feed utilisation, and carcass composition were analysed. Results showed that inclusion levels up to 6% did not significantly affect growth, feed conversion ratio, or protein efficiency; however, inclusion levels above 6% led to reduced zootechnical performance and a lower nutritional quality of fish flesh. Survival rates remained unaffected across all treatments. The study concludes that WH leaves can be safely included in tilapia diets at a maximum of 6% without adverse effects on growth, feed efficiency, or flesh quality, offering a sustainable feed alternative in aquaculture.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was funded by Green Keeper Africa, which supported a portion of this research through its ecological control project aimed at combating the proliferation of water hyacinth in Benin.

Ethical Statement

This research was conducted by Framework Law No. 2014-19 of August 7, 2014, on Fisheries and Aquaculture in the Republic of Benin, and Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament on the protection of animals used for scientific purpose

Thanks

We want to thank, on the one hand, the Aquaculture and Fisheries Management Research Unit (URAGeP) and, on the other hand, Green Keeper Africa.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Aquaculture

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Juste Vital Vodounnou ^*
0000-0001-5986-5779
Benin

Nicaise Tokeme
0009-0003-8598-4511
Benin

Romaric Iko
Benin

Safiatou Coulibaly
0009-0009-6368-4511
Côte d'Ivoire

Simon Ahouansou Montcho
0000-0002-2776-1964
Benin

Jean Claude Micha
0000-0001-7973-3634
Belgium

Early Pub Date

July 2, 2025

Publication Date

July 2, 2025

Submission Date

March 17, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 28, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 1970 Volume: 8 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3153/AR25020

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA52YS44XD

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Vodounnou, J. V., Tokeme, N., Iko, R., Coulibaly, S., Ahouansou Montcho, S., & Micha, J. C. (2025). Utilising water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diets: Effects on growth, digestibility, and optimal inclusion rate. Aquatic Research, 8(3), 207-217. https://doi.org/10.3153/AR25020

Utilising water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diets: Effects on growth, digestibility, and optimal inclusion rate

Abstract

Keywords

Öz

Supporting Institution

Ethical Statement

Thanks

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Early Pub Date

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

Cite