THE EFFECT OF COMBINED FEEDING OF FRESH MAGGOT, DRIED MAGGOT (Hermetia illucens) AND COMMERCIAL FEED ON THE GROWTH OF CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus)

Abstract

Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is a freshwater fishery commodity that has bright prospects for development. Steps to address the problem of relatively high feed prices can be reduced by seeking alternative feeds. Maggot (Hermetia illucens) can be utilized as an alternative feed ingredient that meets the requirements as a protein source without relying on commercial feed. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of feeding combinations of fresh whole maggot, dried maggot, and commercial feed on catfish growth. This study used an experimental method. The design pattern used was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) tested using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with a 95% confidence level, using six treatments and three replications: P0 (100% commercial feed), P1 (50% commercial feed + 50% fresh maggot), P2 (50% commercial feed + 50% dried maggot), P3 (50% fresh maggot + 50% dried maggot), P4 (25% CF + 25% FM + 50% DM), P5 (25% CF + 50% FM + 25% DM). The commercial feed, fresh maggot, and dry maggot were mixed directly according to the treatment and then given to the fish. The results showed that the combination feed significantly affected absolute length growth, absolute weight growth, specific growth rate (SGR), and survival rate (SR), but did not have a significant effect on feed utilization efficiency and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Treatment (P2) with 50% commercial feed and 50% dried maggot provided the best growth results with an average absolute length of 4.69 cm and absolute weight of 5.29 g, specific daily growth of 1.69%/day, and fish survival rate of 81%.