Growth performance of freshwater crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) as the effect of prebiotic-feed from sweet potato

Abstract

Good growth of freshwater crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) is supported by an excellent intestinal digestion process in the absorption of feed nutrition. Implementing prebiotics from sweet potatoes is expected to maximize the nutrient absorption inside the digestive tract of freshwater crayfish. This research aims to evaluate the growth performance of freshwater crayfish in implementing sweet potatoes in feed. The research was conducted for one month, from March to April 2021, in the Laboratory of Hatchery and Cultivation Technology, Agriculture Faculty, Malikussaleh University. The experimental design was a non-factorial, completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments and three replications. The experimental factor was different percentages of sweet potato in feed, namely A: 0% (Control), B: 1%, C: 2%, D: 3%. This research showed that prebiotic feed from sweet potatoes had a significant effect (p<0.05) on freshwater crayfish's growth and feed efficiency. The best result was demonstrated by treatment D, namely adding sweet potato 3% in feed at length growth of 2.64±0.035 cm and weight growth of 3.155±0.078 g. Meanwhile, the feed efficiency value of freshwater crayfish was 69.023±7.118%. The water quality parameters during the research were optimal for crayfish cultivation.