Black soldier fly larvae meal

An insect-derived protein ingredient with direct feeding evidence in juvenile bettas. Explore the feeding trial, formulation limits and label questions.

Ingredient Directory›Black soldier fly larvae meal

Ingredient & nutrient profile

Black soldier fly larvae meal

An insect-derived protein ingredient with direct feeding evidence in juvenile bettas.

Animal ProteinFishBettas
BSF
Black soldier fly larvae mealNutritional role • Research • Practical context
SpeciesBettas evidence
ScopeIngredient and nutrient context
AssessmentInitial evidence summary
Sources checked23 September 2026
Nutritional role

What it contributes

Black soldier fly larvae can be dried and milled for use in formulated fish food. The linked experiment used this processed meal, not live larvae. Its nutritional contribution depends on its composition and on the ingredients it replaces.

Species and formulation

Read it in context

Our initial linked evidence concerns Betta splendens in freshwater laboratory aquariums. It does not establish the same response in goldfish, koi, marine fish or adult bettas. Whole larvae, defatted meal and other insect species should not be assumed equivalent to the tested ingredient.

Research

What the evidence shows

Kari et al. (2023) compared five diets for 60 days in 60 juvenile bettas, using six replicate tanks per diet. The formulation with 13% black soldier fly meal produced higher final weight than the control; higher inclusion was not consistently better. Survival did not differ significantly. Some feed/growth reporting is inconsistent. This is promising formulation-specific evidence, not proof that every insect-based food is superior.

Limits and safety

Before changing the diet

The study does not establish lifelong adequacy, a universal inclusion level or disease prevention. Thirteen percent was the proportion of meal in a complete experimental formulation, not a supplement dose. It provides no evidence that home-reared larvae or arbitrary substitutions reproduce the same nutrition or safety.

Food labels

Questions worth asking

Look for the named insect species, processing method, intended fish species and whether the product is a complete food or a supplementary feed. A generic “insect protein” claim does not identify the ingredient tested here. No product or regulatory compliance assessment is implied.

Connected evidence

Explore the study

The linked study identifies the fish species, feeding method and limits of the evidence.

Bettas · 2023 · Controlled feeding trialBlack soldier fly meal in betta diets: a 60-day feeding trialRead the study summary, methods and limitations.
Sources

References and review scope

  1. Kari ZA et al. Effect of Fish Meal Substitution with Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) on Growth Performance, Feed Stability, Blood Biochemistry, and Liver and Gut Morphology of Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta splendens). Aquaculture Nutrition. 2023;2023:6676953. doi:10.1155/2023/6676953.

This is an initial, source-linked overview, not a systematic review or a product endorsement. Study-specific access limitations are stated above.

Research on this ingredient

Bettas

Black soldier fly meal in betta diets: a 60-day feeding trial

One study with 4 reviewed arm or dose connection(s).

Arm bsfl_diet_13_percent

Black soldier fly meal in betta diets: a 60-day feeding trial

Direct · bettas. 60 juvenile bettas averaging about 1.1 g, in 30 tanks with two fish per tank and six replicate tanks per diet.

Tested form: Dried Hermetia illucens larvae meal incorporated into formulated diets replacing part of the fish meal. Dose: 13% black soldier fly larvae meal in the diet (Percentage of the experimental diet, orally fed; graded diets also changed fish-meal content). Duration: 60 days. Comparator: Control diet with no black soldier fly larvae meal and about 31% fish meal.

Measured finding: The 13% black soldier fly larvae meal diet produced the highest growth, with final weight about 3.952 g versus 2.885 g in controls. Higher inclusions did not produce the same growth result; survival did not differ significantly.

Limitations: Small tank groups and formulated replacement diets; some reported growth values are inconsistent. Ingredient processing, diet and species limit product applicability.

Abstract reviewed · Checked 2 October 2026 · Evidence.pet study summary · Primary source

Arm bsfl_diet_19_5_percent

Black soldier fly meal in betta diets: a 60-day feeding trial

Direct · bettas. 60 juvenile bettas averaging about 1.1 g, in 30 tanks with two fish per tank and six replicate tanks per diet.

Tested form: Dried Hermetia illucens larvae meal incorporated into formulated diets replacing part of the fish meal. Dose: 19.5% black soldier fly larvae meal in the diet (Percentage of the experimental diet, orally fed; graded diets also changed fish-meal content). Duration: 60 days. Comparator: Control diet with no black soldier fly larvae meal and about 31% fish meal.

Measured finding: The 13% black soldier fly larvae meal diet produced the highest growth, with final weight about 3.952 g versus 2.885 g in controls. Higher inclusions did not produce the same growth result; survival did not differ significantly.

Limitations: Small tank groups and formulated replacement diets; some reported growth values are inconsistent. Ingredient processing, diet and species limit product applicability.

Abstract reviewed · Checked 2 October 2026 · Evidence.pet study summary · Primary source

Arm bsfl_diet_24_5_percent

Black soldier fly meal in betta diets: a 60-day feeding trial

Direct · bettas. 60 juvenile bettas averaging about 1.1 g, in 30 tanks with two fish per tank and six replicate tanks per diet.

Tested form: Dried Hermetia illucens larvae meal incorporated into formulated diets replacing part of the fish meal. Dose: 24.5% black soldier fly larvae meal in the diet (Percentage of the experimental diet, orally fed; graded diets also changed fish-meal content). Duration: 60 days. Comparator: Control diet with no black soldier fly larvae meal and about 31% fish meal.

Measured finding: The 13% black soldier fly larvae meal diet produced the highest growth, with final weight about 3.952 g versus 2.885 g in controls. Higher inclusions did not produce the same growth result; survival did not differ significantly.

Limitations: Small tank groups and formulated replacement diets; some reported growth values are inconsistent. Ingredient processing, diet and species limit product applicability.

Abstract reviewed · Checked 2 October 2026 · Evidence.pet study summary · Primary source

Arm bsfl_diet_6_5_percent

Black soldier fly meal in betta diets: a 60-day feeding trial

Direct · bettas. 60 juvenile bettas averaging about 1.1 g, in 30 tanks with two fish per tank and six replicate tanks per diet.

Tested form: Dried Hermetia illucens larvae meal incorporated into formulated diets replacing part of the fish meal. Dose: 6.5% black soldier fly larvae meal in the diet (Percentage of the experimental diet, orally fed; graded diets also changed fish-meal content). Duration: 60 days. Comparator: Control diet with no black soldier fly larvae meal and about 31% fish meal.

Measured finding: The 13% black soldier fly larvae meal diet produced the highest growth, with final weight about 3.952 g versus 2.885 g in controls. Higher inclusions did not produce the same growth result; survival did not differ significantly.

Limitations: Small tank groups and formulated replacement diets; some reported growth values are inconsistent. Ingredient processing, diet and species limit product applicability.

Abstract reviewed · Checked 2 October 2026 · Evidence.pet study summary · Primary source

Products listing or mentioning this ingredient

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