Title: Feed formulation and feed quality assessment for tilapia farming in Saint Lucia

Feed costs contribute the most to operational costs in aquaculture production. The nutrient input and utilization need to be balanced, especially proteins, because it contributes the highest cost in aquafeeds. Key constraints to aquaculture development in Saint Lucia are the poor quality and limited availability of supplementary feeds. Where commercial feeds are available, they are often prohibitively expensive. The alternative for farmers is to make their own feeds. However, the limited availability of ingredients, lack of information on fish nutrition and on how to make and deliver feeds often results in poor quality feed and reduced production and profitability. This study was conducted to assess the current feed being used by aquaculture farmers and to formulate a fish feed that could be used as a possible alternative. Samples of the current pellet feed being used by aquaculture farmers were analysed for level of crude protein, crude lipid, ash, and dry matter. The results indicated that feed was below protein and lipid requirements for optimal tilapia growth. An experimental diet for tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was then formulated using an online diet formulator. The diet prepared contained 33.57% crude protein. Tilapia (450 g) were fed between 7-10 days using experimental feed. Faeces were then collected from the fishes. Digestibility of protein, lipid, ash and dry matter was estimated at the end of the feeding period using an inert marker. The results of the digestibility studies show the protein digestibility rather low and probably affected by relatively high level of plant protein in the feed. The results of the digestibility studies show the protein digestibility is not very high and probably affected by relatively high levels of plant protein in the feed.