The use of terrestrial insects in feeding ornamental fish

Feed preparation is the main part of the current expenditure of intensive aquaculture production. Insects might be used as whole and alive or as dried larvae to feed ornamental aquatic animals. Insects are usually produced using food waste and locally available materials. Also, they can be used as sources of oil, protein and other valuable compounds including chitin in aquafeed. Industrially produced insects have characteristics such as a short life cycle, low feed conversion ratio, the possibility of breeding on a large scale and high density with low-value feed sources. The amino acids profile of insects is suitable for feeding aquatic animals; they also have sufficient protein contents. Among the insects, the black soldier fly, mealworm and house fly are common. However, the black soldier fly is the most suitable terrestrial insect species for feeding ornamental fish, because its growth period is shorter compared to other species, and it does not also transmit diseases due to the lack of nutrition when it matures.