Effects of replacing fish meal with sunflower meal on growth performance, body composition, hematological and biochemical indices of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of replacing fish meal with sunflower meal had on common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. fingerlings. A total of 455 fish with an average weight of 3.03 ± 0.36 g were distributed in 15 fiberglass tanks and fed five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets with replacement levels of 0 (control), 25, 50, 75, and 100% of fish meal with sunflower meal for 10 weeks. Based on the results, the highest and lowest final weights were observed at 25 and 100%, respectively, although the differences at 50 and 75% were not significant compared to the control. Significant differences were observed in body composition excluding ash content. Differences in all hematological indices among treatments were not significant, but in plasma biochemical indices, there was a significant decline in triglyceride levels at 100%, and cholesterol was significantly higher in the control. The results of the current study demonstrate that replacing fish meal with sunflower meal is possible up to 75% for common carp fingerlings without negative impacts on growth, body composition, or hematological and plasma biochemical indices.