Live worms - As Aquatic animal feed
Good nutrition in an animal production system is essential to economically produce a healthy, high-quality product. Nutrition is critical because it represents 40% to 50% of operational and production costs. Fish nutrition has advanced dramatically in recent times with the development of new and balanced commercial feeds that promote optimal fish growth and health.The development of species-specific feed formulations supports the aquaculture industry as it expands to satisfy increasing demands for affordable, safe, and high-quality fish and fish products. The cost of fish feed is considered as the highest share of total cost in any aquaculture operation, therefore feed quality and feeding strategies are of great importance in fish nutrition sciences. The feed should supply all essential nutrients and energy in tune with the animal’s needs for the maintenance of vital physiological functions such as growth, reproduction, and health. In aquaculture as in other animal production systems, a major issue is that of ensuring fresh and environmentally hygienic products that are related to nutrition. Protein is usually the first nutrient considered, with the level of energy in the diet being adjusted to provide the optimum ratio. The protein has to be balanced for essential amino acids. It is the main constituent of the fish body. Animal sources are higher in protein than plant sources. Hence earthworm species Eisenia foetida are used as a source of protein to formulate the feed
https://www.allaboutfeed.net/Nutrition/Raw-Materials/2010/10/Formulating-fish-feed-using-earthworms-as-a-protein-source-AAF011508W/ /
Nutritional importance of ingredients used
Fish feed formulated from Eisenia foetida produced satisfactory growth. They are an excellent source for feed formulation of cultured fish species. The dry weight analysis of Eisenia foetida shows 61% crude proteins, 9% fats, and 5% ashes
EU regulation 2017/1017 allowed to use live invertebrates as a feed for marine animals. The use of invertebrates (worms within them) to feed animals in aquaculture at any stage of their lives is permitted 