DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sajb.2026.v14i09.001

Pages: 598-606

Faced with the unavailability and high cost of vitamins intended for farmed fish, fish farmers are forced to use vitamins intended for terrestrial animals. To address this problem, this study aims to develop a high-quality feed capable of improving the health and growth of farmed Nile tilapia. To achieve this objective, a complete randomization technique was used to randomly assign the fish to different groups. This approach ensures that each individual has the same probability of belonging to an experimental group, thus reducing bias and increasing the reliability of the results. During the experiment, three types of feed were administered to the fish. Parasitological analysis identified the presence of three ectoparasite species: Trichodina magna, Trichodina compacta, and Cichlidogyrus sp. The results of infestation rates, parasite prevalence, and parasite abundance analyses showed that parasite diversity is higher in fish fed Baloomax+ FishGrowth and lower in fish fed Baloomax alone. The most suitable choice for fish farmers concerned with maintaining the health and productivity of their fish stocks is Baloomax alone. This study highlights the importance of a balanced and appropriate diet to reduce the impact of parasites and improve fish performance in aquaculture, thus contributing to sustainable and profitable production.