FROM PEST TO FEED: SNAIL AS SUPPLEMENTAL DIET FOR POMPANO?

From Pest to Feed: Snail as Supplement Diet for Pompano

Snubnose pompano (Trachinotus blochii) is a high-value marine fish thriving in marine and brackishwater areas. It is a favorite among fish farmers due to its ease of farming.

However, the species, when cultured, relies on commercial diets alone, which can be expensive. In fact, most farmers lament that nearly half of their operation expenses go to fish feed.

The problem challenged Mr. Edgar Somblingo, SEAFDEC/AQD researcher, to look for an alternative diet for pompano without spending too much.

He noticed an abundance of Pirenella sp. in the earthen ponds of the Dumangas Brackishwater Station. The tiny snails are considered pests, but Mr. Somblingo thought these could be used as a diet for the fish since pompanos naturally eat mollusks (like clams and snails) in the wild.

To find out, he set up an experiment and raised pompano— one group was given only commercial feed, while the other had a commercial diet supplemented with snails.

If proven to be successful, fish farmers will be greatly benefitted. First, it could cut down the cost of pompano feeding, making the fish affordable for everyone. Next, pompano may be a biological control agent for the snail population— reducing the need for chemical inputs, such as molluscicides, in pond culture operations.