Ito Fernando, Falikhatun Nisa’, Bara Yudhistira, Widya Satya Nugraha, Christoper Caesar Yudho Sutopo, Andre Giovanni, Atiek Rahmawaty, Faiz Nashiruddin Muhammad, M. Bayu Mario, Gyula Kasza
The escalating demand for sustainable aquaculture practices aligns with the growing global need for protein-rich and eco-friendly feed alternatives. This review explores the potential of housefly larvae (HFL), Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), as an innovative and sustainable replacement for traditional fish meal in aquaculture. Beyond nutritional benefits, incorporating HFL into aquafeeds enhances fish growth, immune responses, digestive health, hematobiochemical health, and antioxidant capacities, as well as improves fillet quality, while mitigating environmental impacts associated with conventional feed sources. HFL rearing presents a circular economy solution, transforming organic waste into valuable protein sources and contributing to ecological sustainability. The review also examines the challenges associated with HFL-based feeds, including nutrient variability due to substrate differences, regulatory constraints, and consumer acceptance barriers. To fully realize HFL’s potential, future research should focus on optimizing rearing methods, improving processing efficiency, and ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory standards. This sustainable approach could transform aquaculture, supporting global food security while maintaining environmental balance. © The Author(s) 2025.
Department of Plant Pests and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya, East Java, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, Sleman, 55281, Indonesia; Department of Food Science and Technology, Sebelas Maret University, Central Java, Surakarta, 57126, Indonesia; Institute of Food Chain Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, H-1078, Hungary; Department of Agricultural Socio-Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia; Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106037, Taiwan; International Degree Program of Ornamental Fish Technology and Aquatic Animal Health, International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, 91201, Taiwan; Species Obscura, West Java, 16434, Indonesia; Department of Plant Pests and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Hasanuddin, Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan Km. 10, Makassar, 90245, Indonesia; National Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Public Health and Food Chain Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, H-1078, Hungary
