Effects of Fishmeal Replacement with Insect Meals on Growth Performance in Non-Fish Aquatic Animals: A Meta-Analysis

The aquafeed industry is seeking sustainable alternatives to fishmeal, and insect meals are promising candidates. However, quantitative syntheses of their effects on non-fish aquatic animals like shrimp, crabs, turtles, and frogs are limited. This meta-analysis evaluated five insect meals-black soldier fly, Coleoptera, housefly, silkworm, and Orthoptera-on specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain rate (WGR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). A total of 69 studies (2004-2025) were included. Hedges' g was pooled using random-effects models, and meta-regressions examined dose-response relationships. Among all categories, only silkworm meal improved or maintained growth, showing no significant negative dose-response relationship. In contrast, black soldier fly and Coleoptera meals impaired growth, with a negative linear dose-response. Subgroup analyses revealed species-specific responses; shrimp, particularly Litopenaeus vannamei, exhibited growth depression, whereas some crab species, including Scylla paramamosain and Eriocheir sinensis, showed tolerance or improved performance. Housefly and Orthoptera meals were evaluated in fewer studies, precluding firm conclusions. Thus, the efficacy of insect meal substitution is jointly determined by insect type and host physiology. Silkworm pupae meal is a favourable fishmeal alternative, while black soldier fly and Coleoptera meals require conservative inclusion limits, especially for shrimp.