Earthworm: a potential replacement for fish meal

The increasing demand for fish and other aquatic goods around the world is driving rapid growth in the aquaculture sector. Fish feeds, which constitute up to 70% of aquaculture‘s financial input, play a pivotal role in the industry’s success. Fish meal has long been the main source of protein in aquatic organism feeds because of its high nutritional content, but overfishing, environmental concerns, and growing costs have made it unsustainable and expensive, which has led to a search for more sustainable protein sources. Researchers are now looking at alternative ingredients such as plant proteins, animal byproducts, and agricultural byproducts because of the decline of wild fish supplies and the detrimental effects that fish meal production has on the ecosystem. Earthworms, notably Eisenia fetida, have emerged as a promising possibility among these options because they have a great nutritional profile, with high-quality protein, essential amino acids, and omega-3 fatty acids that are good for you, similar to traditional fish meal. Earthworms are a useful and cheap way to make aquafeed, especially on small farms, because they are easy to cultivate and full of nutrients. Additionally, the integration of earthworm farming with aquaculture and agriculture (vermiculture) can improve nutrient recycling, reduce feed costs, and contribute to sustainable farming practices. This chapter examines the nutritional advantages, viability of production, and contribution to sustainable aquaculture practices of earthworm-based feeds as a potential replacement for fish meal in aquaculture.