Dietary combination of maggot and commercial feed enhance the growth rate and feed conversion ratio of snakehead fish (Channa striata)

Abstract

Abstract Snakehead fish (Channa striata) is a carnivorous freshwater fish commodity that has high economic value. However, this cultivation takes a long period due to its poor growth rate. Maggot has been proposed as a possible alternative to fish feed because it is less expensive and has nutritional value. This study aimed to determine the effect of the dietary combination of maggot and pellets on the growth rate and feed conversion ratio of snakehead fish. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments and four replications. The treatments were P0: 100% pellet, P1: 100% maggot, P2: 75% pellets and 25% maggot, P3: 50% pellets and 50% maggot, P4: 25% pellets and 75% maggot. The result showed a combination of pellet feed and maggot feed had a significant improvement (p<0.05) on the growth rate of snakehead fish. However, there were no significant differences in the feed conversion ratio (p>0.05). The treatment of 75% pellet feed and 25% maggot feed (P2) generated the highest growth rate of 0.154 g/day and the lowest feed conversion ratio of 3.121. It can be concluded that the combination of maggot and pellet experienced better growth performance and feed conversion ratio of snakehead fish.