Authors
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Gebeyehu Jemberu
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Fisheries and Wildlife, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 5501, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Tadillo Belay
Department of Biology, College of Science, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 79, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Dagnachew Ayenew
Department of Biology, College of Science, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 79, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Nega Tassie
Department of Biology, College of Science, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 79, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Dessalegn Ejigu
Department of Biology, College of Science, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 79, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Getachew Beneberu
Department of Biology, College of Science, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 79, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Solomon Girmay
Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 5501, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Ali Seid
Department of Biology, College of Science, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 79, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Workiyie Worie Assefa
Department of Biology, College of Science, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 79, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Ayalew Wondie
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Fisheries and Wildlife, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 5501, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Yezbie Kassa
Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Computational Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Asegedech Kebede
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Fisheries and Wildlife, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 5501, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Anteneh Mulugeta
Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 5501, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Belstie Fetene
Amhara National Regional State Environmental and Forest Protection Authority, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Daniel Mengistu
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Geospatial Data and Technology Center, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 79, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Gashaw Tilahun
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Fisheries and Wildlife, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 5501, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Keywords:
Fish farming, Invasive species, Lake Tana, Nile Tilapia, Pontederia crassipes
Abstract
Invasive aquatic plants like Water Hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes) pose serious environmental threats, while conventional fishmeal use in aquaculture remains ecologically and economically unsustainable. This study investigates the potential to integrate the use of red worms (Eisenia fetida) for managing water hyacinth biomass through vermicomposting, and producing red earthworm meal as an alternative protein source for fish. Water Hyacinth, combined with cow manure in four treatment groups, was subjected to a process of vermicomposting trial using a CRD. Simultaneously, red earth worm meal obtained from the composting process was evaluated as Nile tilapia diets, replacing fishmeal at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% levels (T1–T5). A total of 225 fish fingerlings (7.39 ± 0.34 g; 6.13 ± 0.55 cm) were fed diets with 30% crude protein for 60- day feeding trials. The growth performance of fish was monitored biweekly, and feed was adjusted accordingly. Results showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in compost yield and quality among treatments. The highest vermi-compost productivity was observed in the mixture of water hyacinth sludge and cow manure. Vermi-compost from water hyacinth root + shoot and cow manure exhibited the highest electrical conductivity, while the water hyacinth root + cow dung treatment yielded the highest pH. Statistical analysis using SPSS v20 and Tukey's HSD revealed that partial replacement of fishmeal with red earth worm meal supported optimal growth without adverse effects. This study highlights a circular, eco-friendly approach to aquatic weed management and sustainable aquaculture by converting invasive weed biomass into nutrient-rich compost and protein-rich fish feed.
