MIMAROPA Region

Schools Division of Puerto Princesa City

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY NATIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
P.O. Box 345, Puerto Princesa City
Tel/Fax No. (048) 434-0977, Email:ppcnshs@yahoo.com

Fish Food Out of Fish Scales and Fish Bones

An Investigatory Write- Up

In Fulfillment of the Requirement in Research 1

Presented by:

BALOFIŇOS, PAMELA L.
DENATE, KHRYZTOFFER ALEXIA B.
Inquisitors

MERLY P. TABANG
Research Teacher

June 2021
Introduction

Background of the Study

The researchers have chosen this study to determine if the fish food made out of fish
scale and fish bone can be used as an alternative food for the fish. This research can help
the fish farmers or the people who raise fishes in the fish pond. It can lessen the expenses
in buying expensive fish food. There are many studies about how fish scales are edible and
it is called “scale- eating.” The product is easy and free in which fish farmers can use it as
a substitute for fish food. The researchers want to help the people who want to create a
business and entrepreneurs who need to improve the product.

The fish processing industries generated a large amount of waste every year and the
cost of the fish waste disposal was very high. The fish processing produced a large quantity
of waste and it was reported that the waste after filleting was 75% of the total fish weight
and the remaining 30% of the waste was the fish bones and skins. Therefore, the abundance
of sources of fish byproduct such as bones, scales and skin can be a great source of fish
food.

The researchers want to contribute and help in saving the planet by reducing the
pollution. The food that has already been consumed can be recycled to make a new food. It
can lessen waste. Instead of throwing the fish bones and fish scales in the trash bin and
disposing it anywhere, it can be fed into the fish. Collecting fish bones and fish scales can
be a source of income for the people in the future.

The fish that live in freshwater are the best to use for the experiment that will be done.
Fishes that are commonly found in the fish pond are tilapia, milkfish, catfish and mudfish.
This study aims to help local fish farmers to lessen the expenses in transportation. Fish
farmers living in the rural area find it hard to travel in the city to buy fish food in the
market. If this product is successful, it can be a big help for the fish farmers.

Statement of the Problem

General
This study will determine if the alternative fish food is better than
commercial fish food in the market.
Specific
1. How will it affect the fishes in terms of lifespan?
2. How will it affect the growth of the fish?
3. Why do we need to feed the fish with alternative fish food?

Significance of the Study

 This research is important to the fish farmers in the rural areas who find it hard to travel
in the city to buy fish food in the market. “Do it yourself” or (DIY) fish food can supply
food to the fishes. It will be beneficial to the people living in the same community as well,
since fish is commonly consumed in the area. Many people can buy and eat fish because of
its cheap price.

Fish bone naturally contains calcium and phosphorus in the right ratio of approximately
2:1 to form hydroxyapatite, which is considered the most bioavailable form of calcium.
Naturally occurring high levels of calcium (25.14%), phosphorus (12.75%) and marine
collagen (14.2%), are retained.

As well as many other naturally occurring minerals and trace elements, including iron,
magnesium, selenium, and zinc (Nutrizing 2021). Fish scales have a very high collagen
content which is around 80-98%. Fish scales have a healthy dosage of collagen in them.
Collagen is great for helping to improve ligaments, and bones, as well as supporting joints
(Charlie 2021). Fish need calcium for bone development and collagen to incorporate into
the bone matrix.

This study can help future researchers because raw materials are slowly disappearing as
time passess. In the near future, people can only access limited resources. This research
can give ideas and bases to future fish farmers. Researchers can continue the study and find
strong evidence that the said alternative fish food can support the survival of the fishes.

Scope and Limitation

This project focuses only on making a fish food out of fish bone and fish scales. The
researchers are going to conduct a research about what contains it, what the fish food is
made of and on how to make it.

To make the product, the researchers should collect fish bones and fish scales. The
researchers can collect from every household or in the local market. Then the researchers
should wash it in clean water. After washing it, set aside and wait for it until it dries. Blend
all the following ingredients: the fish bone, fish scale, algae and a little amount of water
mixed with cornstarch. After that, put it in a mixing bowl and let it rest for 15 minutes.
After that, place it in the oven for 10-15 minutes, then put it in a baking tray and let it cool
down. After drying the mixture, blend it again.

Fish ponds are common in the rural areas. It provides a source of food and income from
the sale of fish for small farmers and can also supply irrigation needs and water for
livestock for the crops. The target of the experiment are the fishes living in the fish pond
such as tilapia, milkfish, catfish and mudfish.

Definition of Terms

For a better understanding of this study, the following terms are operationally defined.
 Fish bones. Any of the bones forming the skeleton of a fish can be eaten.

Fish farmer. A person raising fish in a pond.

Fish food. An alternative food eaten by fishes made out of bones and scales of a fish.

Fish pond. .An artificial structure used for the farming of fish by the fish farmers.

Fish scale. A small rigid plate that grows out of the skin of a fish and can be eaten.

Research Design and Methodology

This chapter presents the research design and product design which includes the
ingredients, instrumentation, experimental procedure and research gathering procedure that
was used in this study.
A. Research Design

This study used experimental methods of research. The main experimental part of the
study is the combination of the ingredients in making the fish food using fish scales and fish
bones as the main ingredients. Algae is an important ingredient in the mixture.

The analysis was conducted to determine if the fish bone and scale can be an
alternative fish for the food. The experiment was executed to know if the collagen which is
present in the scales and calcium found in the bones did not disintegrate during
experimentation.

The experiment in the bones and scales of the fish as an alternative fish food were done
in this study.

B. Product Design

Ingredients

1 liter water

Algae

Cornstarch

Fish bone (medium sized)

Fish scale (medium sized)

Instrumentation
 The research study “Fish Food Out of Fish Scales and Fish Bones” was conceived
and conducted in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. The method used in collecting data is
getting information through websites and articles related to the study, and testing fish scales
and fish bones by giving it to the fishes as food through observing its growth. After a
thorough and in depth searching the data has been gathered by the researcher.

In making the fish food, the following materials were used:

Basin. A large or deep bowl that holds water to wash the fish scales and bones.

Blender. A kitchen tool that mixes things together used to crush fish scales, bones
and algae to make it into a powder.

Flat tray. Used to hold the alternative fish food mixture after heating to cool it down.

Mixing bowl. Used to hold mixed ingredients after blending it.

Oven. A tool which is used in heating the alternative fish food mixture.

Thermometer. An instrument for measuring and indicating temperature used to

monitor the temperature of the mixture.

Spatula. Used for mixing the ingredients well after being blended.

Experimental Procedure

i. Soaking

50 g each of fish scales and bones medium sized was soaked in 1.5 L water
for 4 hours. The ingredients were then transferred in a flat tray and let it dry for 3
hours.

The purpose of it is to soften the bones and scales. It has to be dry so it will
not be smoothie or watery.

ii. Blending

The dried ingredients will need to undergo a blending process. Adding 20 g

of algae in the mixture. 17.7 g of cornstarch to achieve the powdery result.

iii. Mixing

Transfer it in a mixing bowl. Add 50 ml of water and mix it thoroughly

until all the ingredients turn completely green.

iv. Heating and Blending

 Transfer the mixture in a flat tray and set 200 degrees F for about 10 to 15
minutes. Get the tray inside and set aside for 3 hours to completely cool it down. Put
the mixture inside the blender to completely achieve its powdery point.

v. Preparation of Fish food ( Sample 1)

150 g each of fish scales and bones medium sized was soaked in 1.5 L
water for 8 hours. The ingredients were then transferred in a flat tray and let it dry for
3 hours. The dried ingredients will need to undergo a blending process. Adding 20 g
of algae in the mixture. 10 g of cornstarch to achieve the powdery result. Transfer it
in a mixing bowl. Add 250 ml of water and mix it thoroughly until all the ingredients
turn completely green. Transfer the mixture in a flat tray and set 200 degrees F for
about 10 to 15 minutes. Get the tray inside and set aside for 3 hours to completely
cool it down. Put the mixture inside the blender to completely achieve its powdery
point. Then transfer it in a 390 ml jar.

v. Preparation of Fish food (Sample 2)

100 g each of fish scales and bones medium sized was soaked in 1 L water for
2 hours. The ingredients were then transferred in a flat tray and let it dry for 3 hours.
The dried ingredients will need to undergo a blending process. Adding 20 g of algae
in the mixture. 15 g of cornstarch to achieve the powdery result. Transfer it in a
mixing bowl. Add 25 ml of water and mix it thoroughly until all the ingredients turn
completely green. Transfer the mixture in a flat tray and set 200 degrees F for about
10 to 15 minutes. Get the tray inside and set aside for 2 hours to completely cool it
down. Put the mixture inside the blender to completely achieve its powdery point.
Then transfer it in a 390 ml jar.

v. Preparation of Fish food (Sample 3)

50 g each of fish scales and bones medium sized was soaked in 1.5 L water
for 4 hours. The ingredients were then transferred in a flat tray and let it dry for 3
hours. The dried ingredients will need to undergo a blending process. Adding 20 g of
algae in the mixture. 17.7 g of cornstarch to achieve the powdery result. Transfer it in
a mixing bowl. Add 50 ml of water and mix it thoroughly until all the ingredients turn
completely green. Transfer the mixture in a flat tray and set 200 degrees F for about
10 to 15 minutes. Get the tray inside and set aside for 3 hours to completely cool it
down. Put the mixture inside the blender to completely achieve its powdery point.

Product Packaging

The fish food was placed in a 390 ml jar with a lid. The container had the
label made by the researcher. In the label, it will include the name of the product, the
ingredients used, the production date, expiration date, grams of fish food, direction,
indication, storage and the manufacturer’s name.
Commercial Price of the Product

Table 1. Computation of the price of the product

Price of the Net Weight Quantity Price in Total

Product Used

INGREDIENTS

● Php 0 50g 50g Php 0

Fish bones

● Php 0 50g 50g Php 0

Fish scales

● Php 0 20g 20g Php 0

Algae

● Php 30.00 100g 21.25g Php 6.38

Cornstarch

● Php 78.00 5000 ml 4330 L Php 67.55

Pure
distilled
Water

MATERIALS
USED

● Php 0 1 piece 1 piece Php 0

Basin

● Php 0 1 piece 1 piece Php 0

Flat Tray

● Php 0 1 piece 1 piece Php 0

Mixing
Bowl

● Php 0 1 piece 1 piece Php 0

Spatula

● Php 7. 00 390 ml 3 pieces Php 21.00

Jar

TOTAL Php 94.93

Table 1. Computation of the price of the product. Computing the product’s expenses,
the researcher’s fish food would cost around Php 95.00 per 390 ml jar. The price is
cheaper compared to the fish food available in the market.

Bibliography