Growth and Digestion Level of Baronang Fish (Siganus sp.) Fed with the Addition of Alstonia acuminata Plants

Abstract

One of the main challenges in cultivation is the availability of feed made from local raw materials. Artificial feed with good nutritional value is known to increase fish growth and feed digestibility. Therefore, we must look for cheaper raw materials so that we can reduce feed prices. One approach that can be used is to use natural ingredients, both vegetable and animal, based on local raw materials, as energy providers for fish growth. The use of the Alstonia acuminata plant as a local raw material component for feed is aimed at increasing growth, feed digestibility, and resistance to disease. This research aims to determine the addition of A. acuminata plants at different doses in feed to increase the growth, survival, and feed efficiency of rabbitfish fry. This research used a completely randomized design consisting of four treatments and three replications. A. acuminata plants at doses of 0, 1, 2, and 3% were mixed into isoprotein feed. The test fish used were rabbitfish fry with an initial weight of around 10–20 g, kept in an aquarium measuring 50 cm x 40 cm x 40 cm with a stocking density of 10 fish per aquarium. Fish were given test feed twice a day at 07.00 and 17.00 at satiation. Maintenance was carried out for 42 days. Growth measurements were carried out at the beginning and end of the experiment. The results showed that treatment C provided absolute growth, the highest specific growth rate, a 100% survival rate, as well as high feed efficiency.