Use of algae and aquatic macrophytes as feed in small-scale aquaculture

FAO FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE TECHNICAL PAPER 531

Use of algae and aquatic
macrophytes as feed in
small-scale aquaculture

A review



FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 2009

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Abstract

Hasan, M.R.; Chakrabarti, R.
Use of algae and aquatic macrophytes as feed in small-scale aquaculture: a review.
FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper. No. 531. Rome, FAO. 2009. 123p.

This technical paper presents a global review on the use of aquatic macrophytes as feed for farmed fish, with particular reference to their current and potential use by small-scale farmers. The review is organized under four major divisions of aquatic macrophytes: algae, floating macrophytes, submerged macrophytes and emergent macrophytes. Under floating macrophytes, Azolla, duckweeds and water hyacinths are discussed separately; the remaining floating macrophytes are grouped together and are reviewed as ‘other floating macrophytes’. The review covers aspects concerned with the production and/or cultivation techniques and use of the macrophytes in their fresh and/or processed state as feed for farmed fish. Efficiency of feeding is evaluated by presenting data on growth, food conversion and digestibility of target fish species. Results of laboratory and field trials and on-farm utilization of macrophytes by farmed fish species are presented. The paper provides information on the different processing methods employed (including composting and fermentation) and results obtained to date with different species throughout the world with particular reference to Asia. Finally, it gives information on the proximate and chemical composition of most commonly occurring macrophytes, their classification and their geographical distribution and environmental requirements.


Contents


 (Download - 521 kb)

Preparation of this document
Abstract
Abbreviations and acronyms
Introduction

1. Algae
(Download - 712 kb)

Classification
Characteristics
Production
Chemical composition
Use as aquafeed


2. Floating aquatic macrophytes – Azolla
(Download - 167 kb)

Classification
Characteristics
Production
Chemical composition
Use as aquafeed

3. Floating aquatic macrophytes – duckweeds
(Download - 708 kb)

Classification
Characteristics
Production
Chemical composition
Use as aquafeed

4. Floating aquatic macrophytes – water hyacinths
(Download - 457 kb)

Classification
Characteristics
Production
Chemical composition
Use as aquafeed

5. Floating aquatic macrophytes – others
(Download - 218 kb)

Classification
Characteristics
Production
Chemical composition
Use as aquafeed

6. Submerged aquatic macrophytes
(Download - 334 kb)

Classification
Characteristics
Production
Chemical composition
Use as aquafeed

7. Emergent aquatic macrophytes
(Download - 120 kb)

Classification
Characteristics
Production
Chemical composition
Use as aquafeed

8. Conclusions
(Download - 73 kb)

Algae
Azolla
Duckweeds
Water hyacinths
Other floating macrophytes
Submerged macrophytes
Emergent macrophytes

References
(Download - 363 kb)

Annex 1 Essential amino acid composition of aquatic macrophytes 119
Annex 2 Periphyton