Table 1 Results of feeding studies assessing the effects of Spirulina replacement on Specific Growth Rate (SGR, %) of farmed fish.

From: Benefits of the microalgae Spirulina and Schizochytrium in fish nutrition: a meta-analysis

Author

Study ID

SMD

Me

Se

Mc

Sc

Ne

Nc

Species

Family

Hab

Diet

Size (g)

Replac. %

Days

Tanks

Dens

Data

El-Sheekh (2014)

sp1

0.3711

4.69

0.27

4.59

0.27

30

30

O. niloticus x O. mossambicus

Cichlidae

FW

H

0.206

14.00

65

3

10

Indiv

El-Sheekh (2014)

sp1

3.6974

5.30

0.03

4.59

0.27

30

30

O. niloticus x O. mossambicus

Cichlidae

FW

H

0.206

22.50

65

3

10

Indiv

El-Sheekh (2014)

sp1

1.4373

4.90

0.14

4.59

0.27

30

30

O. niloticus x O. mossambicus

Cichlidae

FW

H

0.206

28.00

65

3

10

Indiv

Abdel-Latif (2014)

sp2

3.7009

0.16

0.04

0.04

0.00

20

20

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

50.00

10.00

28

1

20

Indiv

Abdel-Latif (2014)

sp2

1.8504

0.10

0.04

0.04

0.00

20

20

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

50.00

2.500

28

1

20

Indiv

Abdel-Latif (2014)

sp2

2.4673

0.12

0.04

0.04

0.00

20

20

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

50.00

5.000

28

1

20

Indiv

Abdel-Tawwab (2009)

sp3

0.7812

2.62

0.10

2.41

0.36

60

60

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

1.880

0.500

84

NA

20

Indiv

Abdel-Tawwab (2009)

sp3

0.1351

2.45

0.20

2.41

0.36

60

60

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

1.880

0.125

84

NA

20

Indiv

Abdel-Tawwab (2009)

sp3

0.2653

2.49

0.22

2.41

0.36

60

60

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

1.880

0.250

84

NA

20

Indiv

Abdel-Tawwab (2009)

sp3

0.1092

2.45

0.36

2.41

0.36

60

60

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

1.880

0.750

84

NA

20

Indiv

Abdel-Tawwab (2009)

sp3

0.0793

2.44

0.39

2.41

0.36

60

60

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

1.880

1.000

84

NA

20

Indiv

Belal (2012)

sp4

0.3523

2.05

0.51

1.87

0.51

40

40

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

7.080

1.000

84

3

10

Indiv

Hussein (2013)

sp5

6.3402

5.85

0.08

5.04

0.16

39

39

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

0.020

43.63

77

3

50

Batch

Mahmoud (2018)

sp6

0.2032

0.82

0.23

0.78

0.15

60

60

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

9.300

1.000

83

3

20

Indiv

Mahmoud (2018)

sp6

− 0.4162

0.73

0.08

0.78

0.15

60

60

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

9.300

2.000

83

3

20

Indiv

Khalila (2018)

sp7

0.2969

1.80

0.38

1.70

0.28

90

90

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

3.780

0.500

84

3

10

Indiv

Hussein (2014)

sp8

4.4047

4.20

0.20

3.50

0.10

75

75

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

30.00

21.80

63

3

50

Indiv

Leite (2019)

sp9

− 1.5181

4.57

0.32

5.12

0.31

4

4

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

SW

H

1.000

20.00

45

2

25

Batch

Teuling (2017)

sp10

0.4988

2.64

0.37

2.41

0.37

3

3

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

37.40

30.00

33

3

35

Batch

Liu (2019)

sp11

0.1953

2.57

0.61

2.36

1.35

15

15

Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

Bagridae

FW

C

3.100

5.700

50

3

50

Batch

Liu (2019)

sp11

− 0.0359

2.32

0.73

2.36

1.35

15

15

Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

Bagridae

FW

C

3.100

11.50

50

3

50

Batch

Liu (2019)

sp11

− 0.0066

2.35

1.59

2.36

1.35

15

15

Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

Bagridae

FW

C

3.100

17.20

50

3

50

Batch

Liu (2019)

sp11

− 0.0388

2.29

2.08

2.36

1.35

15

15

Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

Bagridae

FW

C

3.100

23.00

50

3

50

Batch

Liu (2019)

sp11

− 0.4739

1.81

0.86

2.36

1.35

15

15

Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

Bagridae

FW

C

3.100

28.70

50

3

50

Batch

Yu (2018)

sp12

7.0039

1.69

0.05

1.40

0.03

90

90

Plectropomus leopardus

Serranidae

SW

C

18.00

10.00

56

3

30

Indiv

Yu (2018)

sp12

0.3906

1.41

0.02

1.40

0.03

90

90

Plectropomus leopardus

Serranidae

SW

C

18.00

2.000

56

3

30

Indiv

Yu (2018)

sp12

0.8241

1.45

0.08

1.40

0.03

90

90

Plectropomus leopardus

Serranidae

SW

C

18.00

4.000

56

3

30

Indiv

Yu (2018)

sp12

0.2415

1.41

0.05

1.40

0.03

90

90

Plectropomus leopardus

Serranidae

SW

C

18.00

6.000

56

3

30

Indiv

Yu (2018)

sp12

3.7787

1.58

0.06

1.40

0.03

90

90

Plectropomus leopardus

Serranidae

SW

C

18.00

8.000

56

3

30

Indiv

Rosas (2019)

sp13

12.3432

4.32

0.08

3.38

0.07

30

30

Mugil liza

Mugilidae

SW

O

0.470

22.50

90

4

25

Indiv

Rosas (2019)

sp13

15.9283

4.30

0.04

3.38

0.07

30

30

Mugil liza

Mugilidae

SW

O

0.470

15.00

90

4

25

Indiv

Rosas (2019)

sp13

8.1385

4.19

0.12

3.38

0.07

30

30

Mugil liza

Mugilidae

SW

O

0.470

30.00

90

4

25

Indiv

Rosas (2019)

sp13

3.3596

3.89

0.20

3.38

0.07

30

30

Mugil liza

Mugilidae

SW

O

0.470

45.00

90

4

25

Indiv

Adel (2016)

sp14

3.7430

2.78

0.19

2.22

0.09

60

60

Huso huso

Acipenseridae

FW

C

32.16

10.00

56

3

20

Indiv

Adel (2016)

sp14

1.1242

2.34

0.12

2.22

0.09

60

60

Huso huso

Acipenseridae

FW

C

32.16

2.500

56

3

20

Indiv

Adel (2016)

sp14

2.8706

2.56

0.14

2.22

0.09

60

60

Huso huso

Acipenseridae

FW

C

32.16

5.000

56

3

20

Indiv

Cao (2018)

sp15

0.7200

1.52

0.24

1.37

0.16

66

66

Carassius auratus gibelio

Cyprinidae

FW

O

15.37

3.380

46

3

22

Indiv

Cao (2018)

sp15

0.6240

1.50

0.24

1.37

0.16

66

66

Carassius auratus gibelio

Cyprinidae

FW

O

15.37

6.760

46

3

22

Indiv

Cao (2018)

sp15

− 0.1935

1.32

0.32

1.37

0.16

66

66

Carassius auratus gibelio

Cyprinidae

FW

O

15.37

13.52

46

3

22

Indiv

Rosas (2019)

sp16

0.4198

3.75

0.12

3.36

1.30

42

42

Mugil liza

Mugilidae

SW

O

0.260

1.950

80

3

14

Indiv

Rosas (2019)

sp16

0.1501

3.50

0.17

3.36

1.30

42

42

Mugil liza

Mugilidae

SW

O

0.260

1.200

80

3

14

Indiv

Rosas (2019)

sp16

0.0841

3.44

0.31

3.36

1.30

42

42

Mugil liza

Mugilidae

SW

O

0.260

2.700

80

3

14

Indiv

Rosas (2019)

sp16

− 0.7006

2.70

0.25

3.36

1.30

42

42

Mugil liza

Mugilidae

SW

O

0.260

3.900

80

3

14

Indiv

Ribeiro (2019)

sp17

1.5381

3.79

0.22

3.43

0.24

24

24

C. macropomum x  P. brachypomus

Serrasalmidae

FW

H

3.560

40.00

64

3

8

Indiv

Ribeiro (2019)

sp17

0.9435

3.67

0.26

3.43

0.24

24

24

C. macropomum x P.brachypomus

Serrasalmidae

FW

H

3.560

20.00

64

3

8

Indiv

Nasir (2018)

sp18

0.4371

4.38

0.47

4.15

0.57

90

90

Clarias gariepinus

Clariidae

FW

O

2.620

3.000

90

3

30

Indiv

Nasir (2018)

sp18

0.0805

4.20

0.66

4.15

0.57

90

90

Clarias gariepinus

Clariidae

FW

O

2.620

1.000

90

3

30

Indiv

Nasir (2018)

sp18

0.1749

4.25

0.57

4.15

0.57

90

90

Clarias gariepinus

Clariidae

FW

O

2.620

5.000

90

3

30

Indiv

Nasir (2018)

sp18

0.3381

4.36

0.66

4.15

0.57

90

90

Clarias gariepinus

Clariidae

FW

O

2.620

7.000

90

3

30

Indiv

Chainapong (2018)

sp19

0.0084

1.82

1.59

1.80

2.94

30

30

Clarias macrocephalus

Clariidae

FW

O

19.00

10.00

120

3

50

Batch

Chainapong (2018)

sp19

− 0.0254

1.70

4.65

1.80

2.94

30

30

Clarias macrocephalus

Clariidae

FW

O

19.00

5.000

120

3

50

Batch

El-Ward (2016)

sp20

5.6908

1.87

0.11

1.24

0.11

60

60

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

9.900

10.89

56

3

20

Indiv

El-Ward (2016)

sp20

− 0.7769

1.15

0.12

1.24

0.11

60

60

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

9.900

2.730

56

3

20

Indiv

El-Ward (2016)

sp20

1.2087

1.40

0.15

1.24

0.11

60

60

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

9.900

5.450

56

3

20

Indiv

El-Ward (2016)

sp20

4.1041

1.76

0.14

1.24

0.11

60

60

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

9.900

8.170

56

3

20

Indiv

Zeinab (2019)

sp21

0.2463

2.32

0.40

2.22

0.40

45

45

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

2.700

3.000

95

3

15

Indiv

Zeinab (2019)

sp21

0.0000

2.22

0.40

2.22

0.40

45

45

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

2.700

5.000

95

3

15

Indiv

Zeinab (2019)

sp21

− 0.2463

2.12

0.40

2.22

0.40

45

45

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

2.700

7.000

95

3

15

Indiv

Teimouri (2016)

sp22

0.2638

1.39

0.30

1.31

0.30

36

36

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Salmonidae

FW

C

101.0

7.500

70

3

12

Indiv

Teimouri (2016)

sp22

0.0800

1.33

0.18

1.31

0.30

36

36

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Salmonidae

FW

C

101.0

2.500

70

3

12

Indiv

Teimouri (2016)

sp22

− 0.1999

1.26

0.18

1.31

0.30

36

36

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Salmonidae

FW

C

101.0

5.000

70

3

12

Indiv

Teimouri (2016)

sp22

0.1977

1.39

0.48

1.31

0.30

36

36

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Salmonidae

FW

C

101.0

10.00

70

3

12

Indiv

Güroy (2019)

sp23

− 2.7770

0.81

0.05

0.98

0.07

60

60

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Salmonidae

FW

C

135.0

4.000

84

3

20

Indiv

El-Murr (2014)

sp24

0.5289

0.57

0.39

0.40

0.23

60

60

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

33.00

1.500

60

3

50

Indiv

El-Murr (2014)

sp24

0.2177

0.46

0.31

0.40

0.23

60

60

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

33.00

0.500

60

3

50

Indiv

El-Murr (2014)

sp24

0.4978

0.56

0.39

0.40

0.23

60

60

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

33.00

1.000

60

3

50

Indiv

Al-Zayat (2019)

sp25

4.3783

1.26

0.05

1.05

0.04

20

20

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

6.000

0.750

60

2

10

Indiv

Al-Zayat (2019)

sp25

0.2255

1.08

0.18

1.05

0.04

20

20

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

6.000

0.250

60

2

10

Indiv

Al-Zayat (2019)

sp25

1.5341

1.12

0.04

1.05

0.04

20

20

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

6.000

0.500

60

2

10

Indiv

Roohani (2019)

sp26

0.4656

1.58

1.75

0.81

1.42

12

12

Salmo trutta caspius

Salmonidae

FW

C

11.00

3.960

70

3

40

Batch

Roohani (2019)

sp26

0.2204

1.10

1.10

0.81

1.42

12

12

Salmo trutta caspius

Salmonidae

FW

C

11.00

1.320

70

3

40

Batch

Roohani (2019)

sp26

0.2466

1.16

1.31

0.81

1.42

12

12

Salmo trutta caspius

Salmonidae

FW

C

11.00

2.640

70

3

40

Batch

Roohani (2019)

sp26

0.2487

1.39

2.85

0.81

1.42

12

12

Salmo trutta caspius

Salmonidae

FW

C

11.00

5.280

70

3

40

Batch

Kermani (2020)

sp27

1.9740

3.10

0.10

2.90

0.10

30

30

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Salmonidae

FW

C

12.60

0.025

56

3

10

Indiv

Kermani (2020)

sp27

0.0000

2.90

0.50

2.90

0.10

30

30

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Salmonidae

FW

C

12.60

0.050

56

3

10

Indiv

Kermani (2020)

sp27

− 0.6242

2.80

0.20

2.90

0.10

30

30

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Salmonidae

FW

C

12.60

0.100

56

3

10

Indiv

Kermani (2020)

sp27

− 1.9740

2.70

0.10

2.90

0.10

30

30

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Salmonidae

FW

C

12.60

0.250

56

3

10

Indiv

Gouveia (2003) (koicarp)

sp28

0.0000

0.20

0.10

0.20

0.10

25

25

Cyprinus carpio

Cyprinidae

FW

O

24.60

4.000

70

2

25

Indiv

Gouveia (2003) (goldfish)

sp29

0.0000

1.40

0.04

1.40

0.09

25

25

Carassius auratus

Cyprinidae

FW

O

0.900

4.000

70

2

25

Indiv

Abdel-Warith (2019)

sp30

− 0.0322

1.89

0.73

1.91

0.47

30

30

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

15.98

4.000

84

2

15

Indiv

Abdel-Warith (2019)

sp30

− 0.2929

1.80

0.23

1.91

0.47

30

30

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

15.98

8.000

84

2

15

Indiv

Abdel-Warith (2019)

sp30

− 0.1902

1.83

0.35

1.91

0.47

30

30

Oreochromis niloticus

Cichlidae

FW

H

15.98

12.00

84

2

15

Indiv

Khanzadeh (2016)

sp31

0.6901

2.31

0.10

2.20

0.20

48

48

Trichopodus trichopterus

Osphronemidae

FW

H

1.290

10.00

112

3

48

Indiv

Khanzadeh (2016)

sp31

− 0.2480

2.15

0.20

2.20

0.20

48

48

Trichopodus trichopterus

Osphronemidae

FW

H

1.290

2.500

112

3

48

Indiv

Khanzadeh (2016)

sp31

0.0778

2.22

0.30

2.20

0.20

48

48

Trichopodus trichopterus

Osphronemidae

FW

H

1.290

5.000

112

3

48

Indiv

Khanzadeh (2016)

sp31

0.2480

2.25

0.20

2.20

0.20

48

48

Trichopodus trichopterus

Osphronemidae

FW

H

1.290

20.00

112

3

48

Indiv

Raji (2019)

sp32

0.3338

2.29

0.09

2.26

0.09

80

80

Clarias gariepinus

Clariidae

FW

O

41.86

18.70

56

3

10

Indiv

Raji (2019)

sp32

0.2225

2.28

0.09

2.26

0.09

80

80

Clarias gariepinus

Clariidae

FW

O

41.86

12.50

56

3

10

Indiv

Viswanathan (2019)

sp33

0.1114

1.90

2.00

1.70

1.50

25

25

Cyprinus carpio

Cyprinidae

FW

O

21.50

15.00

28

3

25

Indiv

Viswanathan (2019)

sp33

0.0772

1.80

1.00

1.70

1.50

25

25

Cyprinus carpio

Cyprinidae

FW

O

21.50

5.000

28

3

25

Indiv

Viswanathan (2019)

sp33

0.0656

1.80

1.50

1.70

1.50

25

25

Cyprinus carpio

Cyprinidae

FW

O

21.50

10.00

28

3

25

Indiv

Viswanathan (2019)

sp33

0.0656

1.80

1.50

1.70

1.50

25

25

Cyprinus carpio

Cyprinidae

FW

O

21.50

20.00

28

3

25

Indiv

Viswanathan (2019)

sp33

0.0000

1.70

1.00

1.70

1.50

25

25

Cyprinus carpio

Cyprinidae

FW

O

21.50

25.00

28

3

25

Indiv

Kim (2013)

sp34

4.4363

0.81

0.01

0.68

0.04

75

75

Oplegnathus fasciatus

Oplegnathidae

SW

H

57.00

9.000

56

3

25

Indiv

Kim (2013)

sp34

1.8877

0.74

0.02

0.68

0.04

75

75

Oplegnathus fasciatus

Oplegnathidae

SW

H

57.00

18.00

56

3

25

Indiv

Kim (2013)

sp34

0.1951

0.69

0.06

0.68

0.04

75

75

Oplegnathus fasciatus

Oplegnathidae

SW

H

57.00

26.00

56

3

25

Indiv

Rosas (2019)

sp35

6.3017

4.21

0.17

3.38

0.07

30

30

Mugil liza

Mugilidae

SW

O

0.470

4.000

75

3

10

Indiv

Rosas (2019)

sp35

6.1543

4.15

0.16

3.38

0.07

30

30

Mugil liza

Mugilidae

SW

O

0.470

2.000

75

3

10

Indiv

Siringi (2007)

sp36

2.1807

0.52

0.08

0.35

0.08

60

60

Oreochromis shiranus

Cichlidae

FW

H

5.860

0.700

70

3

20

Indiv

Siringi (2007)

sp36

1.0262

0.43

0.08

0.35

0.08

60

60

Oreochromis shiranus

Cichlidae

FW

H

5.860

0.350

70

3

20

Indiv

Siringi (2007)

sp36

1.0547

0.48

0.15

0.35

0.08

60

60

Oreochromis shiranus

Cichlidae

FW

H

5.860

1.050

70

3

20

Indiv

  1. SMD standardized mean difference, Me mean SGR of experimental group, Se standard deviation of SGR of experimental group, Mc mean SGR of control group, Sc standard deviation of SGR of control group, Ne sample size of experimental group, Nc sample size of control group, Hab. FW freshwater, SW sea water, Diet Carnivore (C), Herbivore (H), Omnivore (O), Size initial mass (g), Replac. % Spirulina replacement level (%), Days duration of trial (days), Tanks number of replicate tanks, Dens. tank density (No. fish/tank), Data type of measurement (individual weights or batch weighing).