Growth Performance of Mahseer Fingerlings (Tor soro) Fed Potassium Diformate Added Diets

Abstract

Mahseer aquaculture activities are still relatively low because they are constrained by slow growth. Potassium diformate can promote growth by improving digestion. This research aimed to determine the optimum dose of potassium diformate addition to artificial feed for the best growth rate in mahseer fingerlings. The research was conducted from July – August 2022, in hatchery of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Padjadjaran University, West Java, Indonesia. The method used in this research was experimental, using a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of four treatments and five replications. The test fish used were 200 mahseer fingerlings measuring 4.5 – 5.0 cm. The treatment used was the addition of potassium formate to artificial feed at a dose of 0% (A), 0.1% (B), 0.3% (C), and 0.5% (D). The length of maintenance is 40 days, with the amount of feeding 3% of the fish's body weight. Parameters observed included specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival rate (SR), and water quality (dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH). The research results showed that the addition of 0.3% potassium diformate gave the best results with the highest SGR value of 0.75%, FCR of 3.80, EP of 26.87%, SR of 100%. It can be concluded that the addition of potassium difomate has a good effect on the growth of mahseer fingerlings if given at optimal doses.