| Summary: | The potentiality of seaweeds, produced in IMTA systems, as dietary feed ingredients for rainbow trout and Nile tilapia was evaluated. The dietary inclusion of the best performing seaweed in each fish species was further evaluated in juvenile fish, concerning its effects on growth and nutrient utilisation, immunological response and flesh quality. Gracilaria vermiculophylla was selected for rainbow trout, whereas in tilapia Ulva spp. was selected instead. The inclusion of Gracilaria meal in diets for rainbow trout was possible up to 5%, but a higher inclusion level impaired growth. Flesh iodine content doubled in fish fed 5% Gracilaria meal, confirming seaweed as a natural and effective tool to increase the nutritional value of rainbow trout. Moreover, in Nile tilapia, the inclusion of Ulva spp. meal seems to be possible up to 10% without major effects on growth performance or flesh organoleptic properties, but enhancing the innate immune response of the fish.
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