Effect of sorghum replacement and probiotic on growth performance and feed utilization of the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing yellow corn (Zea maize) with sorghum (sorghum bicolor) on the growth performance and body composition of the Nile Tilapia. Sorghum was included into diets at four levels (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%). The diets with zero sorghum level act as a control and response of fish fed on diets containing sorghum and additive Lacto cel-con supplementation (as probiotic) at a rate of (0.3g/kg diet). All the diets were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. The results after 16 week experimental period indicated that fish fed on the diets containing 75% sorghum + probiotic (T3) showed significantly better growth performance and feed utilization in terms final body weight, weight gain, mean daily gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, feed intake, protein efficiency ratio and net protein utilization than those fed on the control diet. The present study indicated that, the adverse effect of replacing yellow corn (Zea maize) with sorghum (sorghum bicolor) at 75% + probiotic is the best ratio on the growth performance and feed utilization as a fish meal in Tilapia diets.