Black soldier fly ( Hermetia illucens ) larvae meal as a fish meal replacement in diets for 1 nursing common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) fry.

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal-based diet is an innovative strategy for sustainable 24 aquaculture. In the present study, black soldier fly larvae meal has shown a promising 25 alternative as a fish meal (FM) replacement in diets for common carp fry. Black soldier fly 26 larvae; a protein, fat and minerals containing non-pest insect, when used as fish feed ingredient 27 minimize feed cost, boost up fish production and tackle environmental hazards. Five feeds were 28 formulated where fish meal was replaced by BSF larvae for nursing of common carp fry. Feeds 29 were prepared by 100 (T 1 ), 75 (T 2 ), 50 (T 3 ), 25 (T 4 ) and 0% (T 5 ) replacement of fish meal with 30 BSF larvae as a protein and minerals supplement. Among the feeds T 3 performed better than 31 T 1 . Most of the common carp fry were healthy and robust in treatment T 1 and T 3 where %weight 32 gain was 417.70% and 427.95%, respectively. The lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) was also 33 obtained in treatment T 1 (3.54) and T 3 (3.42) whereas, higher FCR was found in T 4 . However, 34 at harvest, the highest fry production was obtained with T 1 (3.10 tons/ha/60 days) where 100% 35 fish meal was replaced by BSF larvae. Therefore, 100% fish meal can be replaced by BSFL 36 easily to address the protein scarcity, adulteration and environmental hazards.