A Comprehensive Survey And Study Of Tilapia Aquaculture In Malaysia With Emphasis On Production Strategies And Feed Inputs
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Date
2010-05
Authors
Teh, Sih Win
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
A survey was conducted over a period of 10 months between November 2006
and August 2007 to collect data on tilapia culture practised in Malaysia with
emphasis on farming systems and feed inputs. A total of 104 farmers from eight
states comprising Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak,
Selangor and Terengganu were interviewed. Based on the responses received, major
farming systems used in Malaysia were earthen ponds (40%), cage culture (32%) and
ex-mining pools (24%). Statistical results suggested cage culture as the best
performing system with the highest production yield although not significantly
different (P > 0.05). Feed costs (> 50%) were found to be the highest contributor to
production cost of culturing tilapia in Malaysia especially in cage culture systems
(66.68 – 71.77%). High production cost was found to be caused by the use of
commercial tilapia feed in over 90% of the farms surveyed. Three major aquafeed
brands used by the farmers observed during the survey were Cargill (33%), Star
Feedmills (30%) and Dindings (21%). Increase in commercial feed price and
cultivation of the slower growing red hybrid tilapia (the main species farmed in
Malaysia) has made tilapia culture in Malaysia less economically attractive in recent
years. Therefore, a feeding trial was conducted to source for possible plant proteinbased
diets for red hybrid tilapia and to suggest a better strain for culture in an effort
to help boost tilapia production while reducing feed costs.
A 98-day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of various
dietary protein and lipid sources on growth performance, tissue proximate
composition and biological indices of red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) and
Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Three soybean
protein (solvent extracted dehulled soybean meal) and soybean oil (as in contained
dehulled full fat soybean meal) based diets were formulated to contain 25, 30 and 35%
crude protein. Performances of the formulated diets (S30, S35 and S40) were
compared against a commercial diet of 32% crude protein (C37). All formulated
diets contained 6 – 7% crude lipid with 5% fishmeal and 0.5% fish oil added as
attractant. Growth performance, food conversion ratio and digestibility coefficients
were significantly (P < 0.05) better in the GIFT strain compared to red hybrid tilapia.
Diet S40 was found to be the best performing diet. Total production costs of fish fed
S40 were lowered by 20.4% and 75.8% in GIFT and red hybrid tilapia, respectively,
compared to those fed the commercial diet. Overall, growth performances of both
strains were satisfactory. Near total substitution of fishmeal and fish oil with solvent
extracted dehulled soybean meal and full fat dehulled soybean meal proved to be
successful in reducing feed costs without adversely affecting the growth performance
and health of the cultured species.
Description
Keywords
Tilapia culture practised in Malaysia with emphasis , on farming systems and feed inputs