THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF WATER PLANTS IN RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEM (RAS) ON GROWTH OF TILAPIA (Oreochromis niloticus)

Agriculture

Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is a type of freshwater fish that is widely cultivated. Along with the increasing public interest in tilapia and technological developments, tilapia cultivation has been carried out intensively. Intensive aquaculture requires fish to be at stocking densities and at high feeding rates, causing water quality problems. The use of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) in intensive cultivation is able to maintain water quality. This study aims to determine the best types of aquatic plants in RAS for the growth of tilapia seeds. The research was carried out at the Ciparanje Wet Laboratory and Experimental Pond, FPIK UNPAD in February - March 2021. The test fish used were tilapia with a length of about 7 - 9 cm and a weight of about 8 - 10 g. The feed used is commercial feed with a protein content of 31 – 33%. Feeding was carried out at 08.00 and 16.00 WIB with 3% fish biomass. This study used an experimental method with RAL with 4 treatments and 3 replications. Treatment A (Control, without plants), treatment B (cotton fiber, bioball, activated charcoal and kale), Treatment C (cotton fiber, bioball, activated charcoal and watercress) and Treatment D (cotton fiber, bioball, activated charcoal and water spinach). The results showed that the use of different aquatic plants had a significant effect (P<0.05) on FCR, absolute weight growth, height and number of plant leaves and had no significant effect (P>0.05) on SR. The best treatment in this study was B with an SR value of 91.11 ± 3.85%, absolute weight 10.09±0.58 g, FCR 1.72±0.03 plant height 50.67±8.14 cm and total 22.67±5.03 leaves. Water quality during the study was in a reasonable range for tilapia cultivation where the use of aquatic plants was able to maintain good water quality.

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