Coefficients of apparent digestibility (CD) of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude energy (CE) and the availability of amino-acids (AA), phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) of meals from tilapia filleting industrial waste (FT) for the Nile tilapia were determined. Sixty tilapias, mean weight and length 80.69±15.97g and 15.97±1.87cm respectively, underwent feces collection by sedimentation in cone-bottom tanks. DM, CP and BE of FT had a CD of 83.55; 88.13 and 84.74% respectively, with digestible protein and energy rates equivalent to 44.39% and 3799.02 Kcal of ED kg-1. FT had average CD of AA of 91.60%, with CD varying from 67.90% for Fen up to 100% for Arg and Cis. Whereas CD of P was 70.44% with 1.94% of available P, CD of Ca of FT amounts to 51.10% with 4.02% of Ca available. FT is a protein feed with a good index of apparent availability of its nutrients and may be used in feed of tilapia. Above indexes will produce low cost feeds that also meet the requirements of the fish.
amino acids; evaluation of feed; digestibility; fat acids; meals from tilapia waste; tilapia
