The effect of herbal supplement feeding and different stocking density on the growth rate of striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878)

Abstract

Striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) has a high economic value and relatively fast growth, so that optimum stocking density and supplement of natural ingredients, such as Curcuma domestica Val., Kaempferia galanga Linn., and Curcuma xanthorriza Robx. can increase growth and immunity. This study aimed to obtain the optimum stocking density and herbal supplement dosage in feed to increase the growth and survival rates of striped catfish. An experimental method by applying factorial design was used, i.e. the dose and stocking density factors. The dosage of herbal supplements used were 100 mL kg-1 feed (D1), 200 mL kg-1 (D2) and 300 mL kg-1 (D3). Stocking density used was 50 m-3 (P1) and 75 m-3 (P2). The fish used were 8.5±0.5 cm long and weighed 7.5±0.3 g, kept in floating cages of 1 m x 1.5 m x 1 m. Fish maintenance was carried out for 60 days with feeding frequency of three times a day, as much as 10% of body weight. The results showed that the treatment of 200 mL kg-1 dosage and 75 m-3 stocking densities was the best treatment. This treatment showed that specific growth rate, absolute weight, absolute length and feed efficiency were 4.86%, 119.07 g, 15.45 cm, 82.93%, respectively. A supplement dose of 200 mL kg-1 in feed and stocking densities of 75 m-3 could increase growth rates, survival, and feed utilization efficiency of striped catfish.