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Abstract
Cá hồng Mỹ (Sciaenops ocellatus) is a marine fish species of high economic value, widely cultured in many countries and increasingly developed in Vietnam due to its rapid growth rate, good flesh quality, and stable market demand. However, feed costs—particularly the heavy reliance on fish meal—remain a major challenge to the sustainability of red drum aquaculture. Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (BSFL) has been recognized as a promising alternative protein source, offering high nutritional value while being environmentally friendly. This study evaluated the effects of partially replacing fish meal protein with BSF larvae meal on growth performance, feed utilization efficiency, digestive enzyme activity, metabolic enzymes, and oxidative status of juvenile red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus, 3–5 cm). The experiment was conducted for 56 days with five dietary treatments (AT0, AT2, AT7, AT12, and AT17), corresponding to 0, 2, 7, 12, and 17% replacement of fish meal protein by BSF larvae meal, with three replicate tanks per treatment. The results showed no significant differences in growth parameters (body length, body weight, SGRL, SGR) or survival rate among treatments (p > 0.05), indicating good tolerance of BSF larvae meal by the fish. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly improved in AT17 (p < 0.05). Digestive amylase activity was not affected by BSF inclusion, whereas protease and lipase activities increased at BSF levels of 2–12% and declined at AT17. Serum metabolic enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP) remained stable in AT0–AT12 but increased in AT17. In addition, fish fed AT7–AT12 diets exhibited lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and higher antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GPx), indicating improved control of oxidative stress. Overall, a BSF larvae meal replacement level of 7–12% is considered appropriate and safe for juvenile red drum.
Key words: red drum; digestive enzymes; black soldier fly;fish meal replacement; growth performance.