Abstract
The availability of artificial feed with low price and high nutritional value is the main requirement for the sustainability of spiny lobster farming (Panulirus homarus). Therefore, this study aimed to explore the use of fermented maggot meal as a partial fishmeal substitute in the diet of P. homarus. Feeding experiment was conducted for 60 days using 12 rectangular plastic containers (46 L capacity) containing 20 lobster (1.5-3.5 cm size). A total of 4 treatments were tested to assess the effects of fermented maggot meal (P1: 10%, P2: 15%, P3: 20%, P4: 25%) on growth, feed conversion, molting, and survival. The results showed that the water quality parameters were within the range in support of spiny lobster aquaculture. Lobster growth performance outcomes based on absolute weight, length, and specific growth rate in the P1 treatment were 1.93 ± 0.13, 1.65 ± 0.09, and 0.98±0.11, while the values of P2 treatment were 1.72 ± 0.23, 1.63 ± 0.13, and 0.85±0.03, respectively. P3 treatment had values of 1.83 ± 0.08, 1.64 ± 0.25, and 0.90±0.13, while P4 had values of 1.07 ± 0.20, 1.69 ± 0.08, and 0.64±0.27, respectively. Substitution of fishmeal by fermented maggot meal showed no statistically significant differences (P<0.05) in growth performance between P1 to P4. However, at a 25% substitution level, body weight growth, feed conversion ratio, survival, and molting frequency decreased, showing reduced feed efficiency. In conclusion, the use of fermented maggot within optimal limits can be a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to fishmeal in P. homarus diets.