The Effect of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae Feeding on the Growth of Mutiara Catfish Seeds (Clarias gariepinus)

Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of feeding in the form of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) to increase the growth of the (Clarias gariepinus) mutiara catfish seeds.

Study Design: This study used an experimental method with a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of four treatments and four replications. The treatments are a combination of commercial feed and maggots consisting of A (control, 100% commercial feed), B (75% commercial feed + 25% dry maggot), C (50% commercial feed + 50% dry maggot) and D (100 % dry maggot).

Place and Duration of Study: This research was conducted from August 2022 to September 2022 at the Cipancuh Fish Seed Center, Indramayu Regency. Mutiara catfish seeds were obtained from the Cipancuh Fish Seed Center, commercial feed and dried maggot were obtained from online stores whose quality was guaranteed.

Methodology: The parameters observed in this study were survival, specific growth rate and water quality. The water quality observed included temperature, pH, DO and ammonia levels. Mutiara catfish fry were maintained for 40 days by feeding them three times a day. Length data collection and survival value are carried out every ten days as well as water quality testing using certain tools.

Results: The results showed that the combination of commercial feed and dry maggot had an effect on the specific length growth rate and survival of mutiara catfish seeds. the combination of 50% commercial feed and 50% dry maggot produced the highest specific length growth rate of 16.19%, 75% commercial feed and 25% dry maggot produced a specific length growth rate of 13.36%, with 100% commercial feed % resulted in a specific growth rate of 11.83% and by feeding 100% dry maggot produced the lowest growth rate of 8.03%. The highest survival rate was in treatment D by feeding 100% dry maggot with a value of 91%, the survival rate in the treatment given a combination of 50% commercial feed and 50% dry maggot resulted in a value of 84%, with 75% commercial feeding and maggot dry 25% resulted in a survival rate of 79.50% and the lowest survival rate at 100% commercial feeding was 78.50%. the water quality of the maintenance media is in accordance with the effective requirements for the maintenance of SNI mutiara catfish seeds.

Conclusion: Giving a combination of 50% commercial feed and 50% dry maggot resulted in the highest specific length growth rate of 16.19%. The highest survival rate of mutiara catfish seeds was obtained by feeding 100% dry maggot, which was 91%.