Effective concentration of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and Corncob (Zea mays) as a growth medium for the development of Sludge Worm (Tubifex spp.)

Abstract

Feeds with high protein characteristics and relatively small size are needed to support the growth of fish seeds. One source of feed that meets these criteria is sludge worm. Water hyacinth and corncobs are waste in the community. The mixture of these two ingredients contains organic material that is able to provide nutrients for the growth of sludge worms. This study aims to optimize the development of sludge worm cultivation media based on water hyacinth and corncobs as raw material. Sludge worms are cultured with recirculation system with 3 design combination treatment variation of water hyacinth and fermented corncob. Those 3 design are 15 % water hyacinth and 5 % corncob (treatment I), 10 % for both of water hyacinth and corncob (treatment II), and the last is 5 % water hyacinth with 15 % corncob (treatment III). The parameters measured in this study were water quality and dissolved oxygen. Treatment I and treatment II present good results as potential sludge worms cultivation media.