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Effects of Fishmeal Replacement with Insect Meals on Growth Performance in Non-Fish Aquatic Animals: A Meta-Analysis
Yao Lu1, Yiyi Yu1, Liefeng Li1
1Key Laboratory of Conservation and Application in Biodiversity of South China, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
Insects
|July 27, 2026
Summary
Silkworm meal effectively replaces fishmeal in aquafeeds, supporting aquatic animal growth. However, black soldier fly and Coleoptera meals negatively impact growth, particularly in shrimp, necessitating careful inclusion limits.
Area of Science:
- Aquaculture
- Animal Nutrition
- Sustainable Feed Ingredients
Background:
- The aquafeed industry is actively searching for sustainable alternatives to fishmeal.
- Insect meals are recognized as promising candidates for replacing fishmeal in aquafeeds.
- Limited quantitative data exists on the effects of insect meals on non-fish aquatic animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis evaluating the impact of five insect meals on aquatic animal growth and feed efficiency.
- To assess dose-response relationships between insect meal inclusion and animal performance.
- To identify species-specific responses to different insect meals.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis of 69 studies published between 2004 and 2025.
- Inclusion of five insect meals: black soldier fly, Coleoptera, housefly, silkworm, and Orthoptera.
- Statistical analysis using random-effects models and meta-regressions to evaluate specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain rate (WGR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR).
Main Results:
- Silkworm meal inclusion improved or maintained growth without significant negative effects.
- Black soldier fly and Coleoptera meals impaired growth, showing a negative dose-response relationship.
- Species-specific effects were observed: shrimp (e.g., Litopenaeus vannamei) showed growth depression, while some crabs (e.g., Scylla paramamosain, Eriocheir sinensis) tolerated or benefited from insect meals.
Conclusions:
- The effectiveness of insect meal substitution in aquafeeds depends on both the insect species and the host animal's physiology.
- Silkworm pupae meal is a viable alternative to fishmeal.
- Black soldier fly and Coleoptera meals should be used cautiously, with restricted inclusion rates, especially for shrimp diets.
