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¹ University of Hohenheim, Life Science Center, Wollgrasweg 43, D-70599 Stuttgart, Germany
² Hanoi University of Agriculture, Aquaculture Department, TrauQuy, Gia Lam, Ha Noi, Vietnam
³ University of Veterinary Medicine, Fish Medicine and Livestock Management, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
⁴ Thuenen-Institute of Fisheries Ecology, WulfsdorferWeg 204, D-22926 Ahrensburg, Germany DOI : 10.4194/1303-2712-v14_2_27 Viewed : 4984 - Downloaded : 5720 It was evaluated whether earthworm meal can fully replace fishmeal in supplemental feeds for common carp (Cyprinus carpio) that also feed on natural food resources in semi-intensive aquaculture. A net cage trial (32 nets) was carried out using three iso-nitrogenous feeds fed to common carp either at a level of 10 g/kg^0.8 metabolic body mass (5 fish per cage) or 20 g/kg^0.8 metabolic body mass (10 fish per cage). In feeds, fishmeal protein was replaced by 0 %, 50 % or 100 % of protein from sun dried earthworms (Perionyx excavatus). At both stocking densities, control groups of fish fed only on natural food resources. The growth rate of fish increased with rising replacement of fishmeal by earthworm meal at both feeding rates. Large zooplankton were the predominant natural food resource. With increasing availability of large zooplankton, sun dried earthworm meal in plant-based supplemental feeds seemed better able to meet the nutritional requirements of common carp than fishmeal. Integration of earthworm production (vermin culture) into small-scale farms in developing countries may open the possibility for farmers in rural areas to engage in semi-intensive aquaculture by using earthworms as a feed ingredient in supplemental feeds for common carp. Keywords : Natural food, alternative feed ingredient, supplemental feeding, earthworm meal