Effect of Tubifex and Carrot Meal Combination on Color Quality of Botia Chromobotia macracanthus

Abstract

Colour is the most important indicators of quality in ornamental fish, making the exploration to find new sources of pigments in ornamental fish is growing. This study aimed to determine the optimum dose of tubifex and carrot meal combination to enhance the quality of color in Botia Chromobotia macracanthus. This study was designed using Completely Randomized Design with six treatments in triplicates: a) commercial feed (control), b) 70% Tubifex + 3% carrot meal + 27% commercial feed, c) 60% Tubifex + 4% carrot meal + 36% commercial feed, d) 50% Tubifex + 5 % carrot meal + 45% commercial feed, e) 40% Tubifex + 6% carrot meal + 54% commercial feed, and f) 30% Tubifex + 7% carrot meal + 63% commercial feed. Parameters observed were color change level, which was tested using the Kruskal-Wallis method; survival rate (SR) tested using analysis of variance through the F test; and water quality. Results showed that the best color enhancement seen in treatment with 50% Tubifex + 5% carrot meal + 45% commercial feed combination with an average body color of 5.04 in Toca Colour Finder code 0605. The caudal fin color was enhanced with an average score of 3.93 in code 0805.