5 Strategies to Elevate Eel Farming Using Mealworm Powder

Introduction

Eel farming is a thriving industry that demands efficient feeding strategies to achieve high yields. This report delves into the use of mealworm powder as a feed additive in eel farming, aiming to optimize growth and health. We will provide an in-depth look at the introduction of mealworm powder, the feeding process for eels, and a summary of the feeding results. This comprehensive report offers insights for eel farmers seeking to improve their operations.

I. Introduction to Mealworm Powder

Mealworm powder is a valuable feed supplement for eel farming. Derived from microwave-dried mealworms, it undergoes a process involving crushing and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction after de-fatting. The resulting product contains unique components such as insect-specific antimicrobial peptides, chitin, and immune antibody proteins. Notably, antimicrobial peptides are natural, broad-spectrum antibacterial substances without antibiotic resistance. Chitin and immune antibody proteins enhance the immune responses of animals, while chitin also plays a role in repairing intestinal mucosa and adsorbing internal toxins.

II. Feeding Process for Eels

1. Introduction of the Eel Farm

Our study took place at the ChangLe Eel Farm, focusing on six ponds with a total eel population of 110,000 and a combined weight of 1690 kg. The trial commenced on August 10, 2022, with a planned feeding period of three months.

2. Feeding Initiation and Progress

On August 10, 2022, the dry feed used for these six ponds was 40 kg, with an initial addition of mealworm powder at 0.5%, roughly 200g. The eels showed normal feeding behavior without any negative impact. Following this pattern for the first three days, the mealworm powder’s quantity was increased to 1%, approximately 400g. Eels continued to feed normally. Subsequently, the proportion of mealworm powder added was doubled every two days, progressing from 2%, 4%, 8%, and finally reaching a mixture of 36 kg of dry feed with 4 kg of mealworm powder added. Importantly, the physical characteristics of the bait, including its viscosity and elasticity, remained unchanged. Eel feeding behavior showed no adverse effects. The gradual increase from 0.5% to 10% took approximately 10-12 days, ensuring the eels’ acceptance of mealworm powder. Over the following three months, eels in these six ponds exhibited consistent feeding behavior. Remarkably, no gastrointestinal function-improving drugs were administered. In contrast, eels in other ponds at the farm displayed unstable feeding behavior, with some ponds resorting to gastrointestinal function-improving drugs. This observation underscores the positive impact of mealworm powder on eel gastrointestinal health.

3. Feeding Outcome

After more than three months of trial feeding, a selection process was conducted on November 15. The total feed amount for these six ponds was 1956 kg, with a total eel count of 10.9 thousand (factoring in losses and mortalities), weighing a combined total of 2972 kg. The relative increase in eel weight was an impressive 1282 kg, resulting in a feed conversion rate of 65.54%. Comparatively, eels at the eel farm that did not receive mealworm powder had a feed conversion rate of 63.65%. Summarily, feeding eels with mealworm powder improved the feed conversion rate by 1.89%.

4. Ongoing Mealworm Powder Feeding

Starting from November 17, 2022, ChangLe Eel Farm began systematically incorporating mealworm powder into the feed. By November 27, the amount added reached approximately 10%, and the feeding behavior remained consistently stable.

III. Feeding Summary

In conclusion, eels are highly sensitive to the taste of their feed, especially when introducing mealworm powder. It is imperative to gradually acclimate them, beginning with an initial proportion of around 0.5% to prevent food rejection due to overfeeding. Additionally, the principle of gradual increments should be upheld in the later stages, with increases made every two to three days to avoid rushing the adaptation process.

This report sheds light on the successful utilization of mealworm powder in eel farming, providing valuable insights into optimizing eel growth, health, and feed conversion rates. The findings hold promise for eel farmers seeking to enhance their operations and maximize their yields.

Experiment report table: