Effect of different feed pellet on growth rate and survival levels of tilapia seeds ( Oreochromis niloticus )

Tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus , Linnaeus, 1758) is a dominant commodity in the Indonesian freshwater fishery industry, and its growth relies on feed. Pellet are feed that is processed through a factory mechanism or human intervention, based on the cultivators’ needs. Therefore, the pur pose of this study was to determine the effect of pelleted feed with varying protein content on growth and survival of tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) fry. This was conducted from April 2022 to June 2022, in Tasiwalie Village, Suppa District, Pinrang Regency. The test animals used were tilapia aged 30 days, and feed include omega-3, Hi-Pro-vite 781, and Prima feed 500 grams each. An experimental method was employed using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three treatment and replications, where treatment A, B, and C were Prima Feed (39 – 41%), Hi-Pro Vite (protein 31 – 33%), and Omega feed (protein 13 – 16%), respectively. Artificial feed was given at a dose of 5%/body weight 3 times a day. Also, water quality management was carried out by measuring temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and ammonia. The results showed that different feed affected protein retention with the highest average value of 43.23%, the highest average fat retention of 48.56%, absolute weight growth of 1.58 g, absolute length growth of 2.33 cm, daily specific weight growth rate of 3.75%, daily specific length growth rate of 5.56%, and feed utilization efficiency 70.60%. Furthermore, the best growth was obtained in treatment A, involving Prime Feed from 39 – 41%. This study showed that the percentage of protein had a significant effect on growth and survival of tilapia. Therefore, the feed industry is needed to formulate requirements based on tilapia fish, to increase production.

Feed is a source of material and energy for survival and growth of fish (Prabu et al., 2017), and it is the largest component (50-70%) of production costs (Perius, 2011).The issue of increasing feed prices without an increase in the selling price of fish poses a challenge to fish cultivators (Nurhayati et al., 2018).Therefore, cost-effective, and easily accessible alternative feed, particularly natural ones, are required to reduce production costs.Pellet are feed processed through factory mechanisms or human intervention (Arief et al., 2009;Devani & Basriati, 2015).The protein requirements of tilapia range from 28-35% for optimal growth.In semiintensive commercial fish farming, feed consumed by the cultured fish primarily depends on the supply provided by the cultivators (Haeruddin et al., 2018;Wahyuningsih, 2009).Feed used in this study includes Omega-3 pellet feed, Hi-Pro Vite 781-1, and Prima Feed 500.
This study aimed to determine the effect of different pellets on growth and survival of tilapia fry (Oreochromis niloticus) and to identify the most effective feed.The findings contribute to the knowledge and application of nutritional and energy requirements in tilapia farming.This provides benefits to readers, especially tilapia aquaculture businesses, in producing feed with maximum results in the industry.

Location and time of research
This study was conducted from April 2022 to June 2022, in Tasiwalie Village, Suppa District, Pinrang Regency.An experimental method designed with a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used, consisting of three treatment with replications.Treatment were arranged as follows according to Mahendra, 2018: ▪ Treatment A feed Prima Feed (protein 39 -41%).▪ Treatment B of Hi-Pro Vite feed (31 -33% protein).▪ Treatment C Omega feed (protein 13 -16%).

Data analysis
About 9 Styrofoam containers with a volume of 20 liters were used.The containers were washed with soap and a sponge, rinsed with clean water, and then dried in the sun.Subsequently, each styrofoam was filled with 15 liters of filtered and precipitated water and then aerated.The test animals were tilapia seeds measuring 3 cm, with an average weight of 0.32 grams.Before use, tilapia seeds were adapted for 20 minutes.The study was conducted for 42 days, where feed and water quality management were implemented.Furthermore, the dosage of feed was 5% /biomass (Ghufron and Kordi, 2010) 3 times a day.The water quality parameters measured include temperature, pH of dissolved oxygen (DO), and ammonia.Additionally, the SPSS version 24 program was used to analyze the data.

Results
The protein retention value in tilapia is reflected by the contribution of consumed feed (Soedibya, 2013).Figure 1 shows Protein retention.Protein retention in treatment A, B, and C was 43.23%, 30.00%, and 14.05 %, respectively.
Fat is a potential energy source that is easily digested.In addition, it is a carrier of soluble vitamins, strengthens cell membrane resistance, and increases nutrient absorption (Wahyudi, 2017).Figure 2   The fat retention of tilapia in treatment A, B, and C was 39.87%, 45.25%, and 48.56%, respectively.
Figure 3 showed the absolute weight growth, representing the difference between the average body weight of fish at the end and the beginning of the 42 days maintenance period.The absolute weight growth of tilapia obtained in treatment A, B, and C was 1.58, 1.21, and 0.94 grams.Figure 4 showed the absolute length growth.The absolute length growth of tilapia in treatment A, B, and C was 2.33 cm, 1.93 cm, and 1.37 cm, respectively.Figures 5,6,7, and 8 displayed the daily specific growth rate.The specific weight growth of tilapia in treatment A, B, and C was 3.75%, 2.87%, and 2.24%, respectively.The specific length growth of tilapia in treatment A, B, and C was 5.56%, 4.60%, and 3.25%, respectively.Figure 7 showed that at the beginning of the maintenance period, growth rate was the same in all treatment, including PF-500, Hi-provite, and Omega 3.However, with an increase in rearing time and the weight of tilapia in the first week, treatment A (PF 500) showed a higher growth rate compared to treatment B (Hi-provite) and C (Omega 3). Figure 8 showed that the daily specific length growth in treatment A was better than in B and C. Growth at weeks 0 and 2 was the same.However, the length of growth in treatment A increased from weeks 3 to 6 compared to others, due to the ability to support feed requirements of tilapia seeds.This is in line with Sukadi (2003), where inadequate quantity and quality of feed can impede fish growth.According to Djarijah (2006), growth of tilapia relies on the energy obtained from feed being greater than the energy used for basic living activities.The fish consumes and digests its feed in the digestive tract and then produces energy for living activities, while the excess energy is stored in the form of meat for growth.Survival rate (SR) is observed in Figure 9. Survival rate of tilapia in treatment A, B, and C were 90.00%, 83.33%, and 73.33%.
Figure 10 illustrates the efficiency of feed utilization, obtained by comparing the increase in body weight of the fish and the amount of feed consumed.The efficiency of tilapia feed utilization obtained in treatment A, B, and C were 70.60%, 67.66%, and 66.0%.Table 1 showed the measurement of water quality.Prihartono (2007) in Arifin (2016), the optimal temperature for fish cultivation ranges from 28-32 C.
Dissolved oxygen during the study ranged from 4.29 to 5.45 ppm.According to SNI 7550:2009, a favorable dissolved oxygen levels is more than 3 mg/liter.The fish require dissolved oxygen for respiration and metabolizing food, to produce energy for swimming, growth, reproduction, and others.Furthermore, the dissolved oxygen content in the water should be maintained above 5 mg/liter to increase fish productivity, because below 3 mg/liter decreases fish growth rate (Sucipto andPrihartono, 2007 in Arifin, 2016).
The pH ranges from 7.46-8.41 in this study, outside the recommended range of 6.5-8.5 according to SNI 7550:2009.This value illustrates the ability of water to produce mineral salts, which inhibit growth of fish if the needs of the organism are not met.Generally, the ideal pH is between 4-9, but for optimal growth of tilapia, it is between 6-8 according to (Kordi, 1997in Arifin, 2016).
The ammonia levels are in the optimal range of 0.109 -0.2756 mg/l.These levels in freshwater should not be more than 0.2 mg/l because they can are toxic to some fishes.The toxicity of ammonia to aquatic organisms rises with a decrease in dissolved oxygen levels, and an increase in pH and temperature (Effendi, 2014).

Discussion
Treatment A (PF 500) had the highest protein retention because they were directly digested into the meat and the rest was excreted as feces.According to Wahyudi, 2017, some of the food eaten turns into energy for living activities, and the rest is eliminated.
Protein retention shows the body tissue protein deposition index used for growth.Also, it describes the quantity of protein in the fish body, and with the use of feed protein, the value increases or growth occurs (Wahyudi, 2017).
Treatment C exhibited the highest fat retention due to the high-fat content.Fat retention describes the ability of fish to store and utilize dietary fat.The excess fat is stored as fish body fat (Wahyudi, 2017).In addition, fat serves as a potential energy source, a carrier for soluble vitamins, a component of cell membranes contributing to membrane resistance, and increases nutrient absorption.
PF 500 feed has a higher protein content than others.This is in line with Asyari and Muflikhah (2005), where protein is an essential food for generating energy and growth.Also, it is the largest part of fish meat (Alfia et al., 2013).Sukadi (2003) explained that the higher the protein content, the more effective effect on the absolute weight growth of fish (Yolanda, 2013).According to Hutabarat (2018), achieving optimum fish growth necessitates the use of high-quality feed that meets the nutritional requirements of fish.The nutritional value of feed is observed from the composition of  Wamnebo et al. (2023) nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
The result of the absolute length measurement showed that treatment A had better growth than others due to the higher protein content.Individual growth occurs through the addition of tissue due to the addition of cells by mitosis.This is facilitated by excess energy-producing food substances and proteins that encourage growth process (Taufik et al., 2016;Hutabarat, 2018).
Treatment A provided a better survival rate than others.Survival of fish is influenced by various factors including environmental conditions, feed availability, competition between organisms and their physical condition, and water quality.These factors affect the mortality rate of the organism (Mulyani, 2014).Furthermore, the above factors should be managed to ensure a high survival rate.Survival rate of 50%, 30%-50%, and less than 30% survival is good, moderate, and unfavorable, respectively.Based on this study, survival rate of tilapia during maintenance was good, indicating that feeding frequency of different treatment affects survival of tilapia (Mulyani, 2014).According to Rukman (2000) in Rosyana, et al., (2016), the relationship between feed and growth for a particular type of fish is important to avoid wastage due to excess feed or lack of feed, resulting in stunted fish growth.
The utilization of feed in treatment A (PF 500) was more efficient than other treatment.This is due to the differences in protein content and energy values.The higher the energy in feed, the lower levels of feed consumption, because fish consume energy from feed, rather than the quantity given.According to Kim et al. (2005) in Putrianti et al. (2015), the ability of fish to digest feed affects the value of the protein efficiency ratio.This ability is influenced by several factors, such as the composition of feed, where the higher the protein used by the body, the more efficient the protein utilized by the fish.Craig andHelfrich., 2002, in Putrianti et al., 2015, stated that feed efficiency is influenced by energy levels.High energy levels cause satisfaction in the fish and they stop feeding immediately.Also, increased levels of non-protein in feed raise the total energy beyond the needs of the fish.
Fish production in aquaculture relies on a highquality water supply (Mas'ud, 2014).The cultivation is unsuccessful if it is carried out with disturbed or polluted water quality without any countermeasures (Sumule et al., 2017).

Conclusion
The use of different feeds affected protein retention, fat retention, absolute weight growth, absolute length growth, daily specific growth rate, and feed utilization efficiency.However, it does not affect survival rates.Treatment A (PF 500 pellet feed) demonstrated a good growth rate compared to others.
illustrated the Fat retention.

Table 1 .
Results of Water Quality Measurement in Maintenance Containers.