The identification and development of a new plant-based feed ingredient as an alternative protein source to FM have gained the interest of the aquafeed industrial players. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the physical, biochemical, and bacteriological properties of dietary FWM and the impacts on the growth and reproductive performances of farmed female stinging catfish, H. fossilis broodstock. Five experimental diets were formulated with different FWM inclusion (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%). Fatty acid profiles such as 4:0, 10:0, 20:0, 21:0, 22:0, 24:0, 20:1n9, 18:3n6, 20:3n6, 20:4n6, and 22:6n3 were found in higher levels in FWM compared to the water spinach meal (WM). Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in the physical properties of the FWM experimental diets (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the experimental feed with 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% FWM were more palatable to the broodstock than 100% FWM. The number of total bacteria (TB) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in catfish diets exhibited a rising trend with an increase in FWM, while 50% of FWM-fed fish intestines had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher TB and LAB than other treatment groups. The growth, feed utilization, and reproductive variables of H. fossilis were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by FWM inclusion at various levels. Moreover, the significantly (p < 0.05) highest oocytes weight, fertilization, egg ripeness, and ovipositor diameter were observed in the treatment of 50% FWM diet treatment group. In addition, the spawning response was 100% in all treatments except for the control group (66.67%). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in the hematological and serum biochemical indices in most treatment groups. In addition, the histological analysis of H. fossilis midintestinal tissue indicated that the fish fed with a 50% FWM diet had an unbroken epithelial barrier with more goblet cell arrangements and a well-organized villi structure and tunica muscularis compared to other treatment groups. These outcomes suggested that FWM at 50% inclusion is an adequate protein supplement for fish feed, resulting in better growth, reproductive performance, and health of H. fossilis broodstock development.

Fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) is the enzymatic hydrolysis of protein into smaller peptide and free amino acids, which has recently captured considerable attention as a supplementary ingredient in the aqua-feed industry sector. The present research aimed to observe the physiological, biochemical, and bacteriological study of FPH-treated diets and its effects on growth, hematology, plasma biochemistry, liver and gut histopathology, and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Pabda (Ompok pabda). Four experimental diets (35% crude protein) were formulated with graded FPH supplementation (0, 0.5, 1, and 2%). The feed physiological parameters such as expansion ratio, bulk density, water stability, and floatability were not significantly affected by dietary FPH levels (p > 0.05), except for the pellet durability index (PDI). Furthermore, the diets with 1% and 2% FPH were more palatable to fish than other treatment diets. The total bacteria (TB) in fish diets and guts followed an increasing trend with the increase in various levels of FPH in diets. The significantly highest body weight, specific growth rate (SGR), total biomass (TB), survival rate (SR), condition factor (CF), and hepatosomatic index (HSI) were noted in 2% FPH-fed fish when compared with other treatment groups (p < 0.05). The feed intake of fish was significantly increased when increasing the FPH in diets (p < 0.05). The fish fed with a 2% FPH diet had significantly higher neutrophil, monocyte, lymphocyte, red blood cell, and platelet levels (p < 0.05). The blood glucose, creatinine, total protein, and globulin were significantly lower in control fish compared to other treatment groups (p < 0.05). The histopathological observation of mid intestine tissues displayed that 2% of FPH-diet-fed fish had a well-anchored epithelial wall with well-arranged goblet cells, a long villus structure, stratum compactum, and tunica muscularis compared to other treatments of FPH. The inclusion of FPH in diets up to 2% significantly improved the liver health of fish. The fish fed with 2% FPH had a significantly lower cumulative percent mortality (16.67%) against A. hydrophila infection in the bacterial challenge test (p < 0.05). Therefore, the present results suggested that using 2% FPH in the aqua-feed industry improves the growth performance, health status, and disease resistance of Pabda fingerlings in captivity.