THE EFFECT OF PROBIOTICS ON GROWTH AND SURVIVAL RATES OF MILKFISH (CHANOS-CHANOS FORSKAL) LARVAE IN FRESHWATER

Abstract

Milkfish is a commodity of high economic value because of its essential nutritional status for the people. This study examines the effect of giving different doses of probiotics mixed in feed on the growth of milkfish (Chanos chanos Forskal) larvae. The study used a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments given were 3 cc/kg feed, 6 cc/kg feed, 9 cc/kg feed, and 12 cc/kg feed. This research was conducted from July to August 2021 at the freshwater fish farming ponds of SUPM Tegal. The results showed that the highest average biomass growth was obtained at a dose of 12 cc/Kg of feed, which was 3,189.43 grams. The lowest average biomass growth was obtained at a dose of 3 cc/Kg of feed which was 606.93 grams. The growth response to the different doses of probiotics was linear, and the survival rate of larvae reached 93%. The water quality range during the research was still suitable to support growth, where the temperature ranged from 23 to 31oC, pH ranged from 6.5 to 7.5, dissolved oxygen content ranged from 5.5 to 5.6 ppm, and salinity ranged from 8 to 12 ppt.

Keywords

• probiotics
• growth
• milkfish