The effects of substitution of natural feed with artificial feed on the growth, survival rate and albumin content of snakehead fish (Channa striata)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of substitution of natural feed with artificial feed that resulted in the best growth, survival rate and albumin content of snakehead (Channa striata) fish. The experimental design used was a completely randomized design with five treatments and three replications, namely: A) 100% natural feed, B) 75% natural feed and 25% artificial feed, C) 50% natural feed and 50% artificial feed, D) 25% natural feed and 75% artificial feed and E) 100% artificial feed. The natural feed used was Sardin fish (Sardinella sp.) while the artificial feed was the commercial feed. The parameters observed during the study were absolute biomass growth, specific growth rate, survival rate, albumin content of the snakehead fish and the level of feed consumption. The feed quality was evaluated based on the results of proximate analysis and fatty acid composition. The results showed that substitution of natural feed with the artificial feed at any level had no significant effect (p> 0.05) to the absolute biomass growth, specific growth rate, survival rate, albumin content and level of feed consumption of the snakehead fish. Based on the results of this study, the 100% artificial feed can be used in rearing the snakehead fish.