Effect of seeds and peels of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) on growth performance and body composition of benni fish (Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi)

One way to sustainable economic production of fish is the use of good diets with maximum efficiency of growth and aquatic animal health. The main aim of this study was to evaluate growth performance and body composition in benni fish (Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi) fed diet with different levels of seeds and peels of tomato. Four experimental diets were formulated with similar protein content: a control diet and three experimental diets with increasing tomato pulp levels (10%, 20% and 30%). 240 number of benni fish with an initial weight of 8.14 ± 0.05g were randomly distributed in 12 aquarium with 120 lit volume. The experiment lasted for eight week. Due to reduce the stress, biometery of fish was done at the beginning and end of the experiment. Results showed that use of diets containing tomato pulp despite the lack of significant difference with the control group had positive effects on growth performance. In the case of Body composition 20% and 30% tomato pulp treatments show no significant difference in protein with the control group. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative protein sources, especially vegetable proteins used.