Nutritional studies on brewer dried grains as an alternative protein source for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diets.

Brewer dried grain (BDG) was tested to replace soybean meal in diets of mono sex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Five isonitrogenous (30%), isocaloric (442 kcal/100g) diets were formulated to contain BDG as an alternative protein source instead of soybean meal at different levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%). A total number of 225 of Nile tilapia (0.45g)were randomly distributed into five experimental groups, each in trireplecates, and were fed daily at a rate of 15% decreased gradually to be 4% of fish live weight through 14weeks experimental period.Data collected were on growth performance, feed utilization and body composition in addition to economic evaluation. Results of growth performance did not show any adverse effects related to the incorporation of BDG up to 75%. FI shows the exact similar trend of growth performance. The incorporation of BDG in the diets improved slightly FCR, FER and PPV. Fish whole body composition of treatments groups which showed higher DM, EE, energy and somewhat protein contents and lower moisture and ash than that recorded at the start of the experiment.