The Effect of Giving Lemna sp.
Fresh for Tilapia Feed
(Oreochromis niloticus)
Galih Dewi Andini1, Kiki Haetami1, Yuli Andriani1,Iskandar1,
Lantun Paradhita Dewanti1, Irfan Zidni1
1
Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Padjadjaran,
Jl. Raya Bandung-Sumedang KM.21 Jatinangor, Jawa Barat, 45363, Indonesia .
Authors’ contributions
This work was carried out in collaboration with all authors. Author GDA design the study, carried out statistical
analysis, wrote the protocol and the first draft of the manuscript. Author KH, AY, and I managed the study analysis.
Author LPD and IZ managed the literature search. All authors read and agreed to the final manuscript.
ABSTRACT
This research aims to determine the level feeding of Lemna sp. fresh against the growth of
tilapia. The study was conducted in December – February 2020 at the Laboratory Fisheries of
Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, University of Padjadjaran. The research method
used is the experimental Complete Random Design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 3
replications. The treatment is A (control), B (15% Lemna sp.), C (20% Lemna sp.), and D
(25% Lemna sp.). The observed parameters are survival rate, specific growth rate, feed
conversion ratio, and water quality. Observations were conducted during 50 days. Data on the
survival rate, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio was analyzed using Test-F and
Duncan's advanced test at a confidence level of 95%, while water quality were analyzed
descriptively. Based on this research, the giving of Lemna sp. much 20% of the weight of fish
to produces survival rate of 83,75%, specific growth rate of 0,22%, and feed conversion ratio
of 4,58%. The value is no better than giving 3% commercial feed treatment. Lemna sp. fresh
recommended by 20% for tilapia fish feed.
Keywords: Lemna sp., level of feeding, growth, nile tilapia
1. INTRODUCTION
Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is a favorite freshwater fish commodity for Indonesian
people, not only because the meat is delicious and the price is affordable, but the nutrients
contained in tilapia are quite high, so that it can fulfill the needs of animal proteins for the
community (Andriani et al. 2019). Tilapia production in Indonesia has increased from year to
year. Based on data was obtained from Statistical Data Center and Information (2018) in 2016
the amount of tilapia production was 1,187,812 tons and increased in 2017 with total tilapia
production approximately 1,280,124 tons.
The problems are often encountered in an intensive aquaculture process is the provision of
commercial feed because its cost can reach 60-70% of the total production cost (Arief et al.
2014). The high cost of commercial feed is caused by the usage of imported raw materials for
fish feed which leads to high prices of fish feed (Zidni 2016). Therefore, according to Warasto et
al. (2013) an alternative feed that is more economical and easy to obtain is needed. The effort
made to reduce the costs is by using the forage feed, namely Lemna sp.
Lemna sp. is more known as duckweed, a small-sized aquatic plant that floats on water and
potentially used as a fresh feed or feed material because it has sufficiently high nutrients. The
coarse protein content of Lemna sp. is 25.22% (Winarti et al. 2017), 7-14% fiber, 35%
carbohydrates, 3-7% fat, and high vitamin and mineral content (Iqbal 1999). This aquatic plant
has high productivity and in optimal conditions, it can multiply the biomass only in two days
(Landesman et al. 2005). Adding 20% fresh Lemna sp. of the body weight of grass carp gives a
better growth rate compared to giving of Azolla filiculoides with the same weight (Neukobin dan
Sudagar 2013). Then, it is required to conduct a test about the provision of fresh Lemna sp. as
tilapia seed feed which aims to determine the level of provision of Lemna sp. which can affect
the growth rate of tilapia.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
This research was conducted in Fisheries laboratory, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine
Sciences, University of Padjadjaran, Indonesia from December 2019 - February 2020. The
materials used in this study was 320 tilapia fish with sized 5-7 cm are obtained from Fish Farmer
in Pangandaran, Lemna sp. was planted with bioslurry fertilizer (2,5% from the volume of
water), commercial feed with 18% crude protein content, 10 % water content, 4-6% crude ash
content, and 4-6 % fat. The research method used is an experimental with Complete Random
Design (CRD) which is consist of 4 treatments and 3 replications as follows:
Treatment A = commercial feed (control) with a percentage of 3% of the fish weight.
Treatment B = fresh Lemna sp. with a percentage of 15% of fish weight.
Treatment C = fresh Lemna sp. with a percentage of 20% of fish weight.
Treatment D = fresh Lemna sp. with a percentage of 25% of fish weight.
2.1 Observation Procedure
2.1.1 Planting Lemna sp.
In the first planting cycle, prepared the container then filled with 100 liters of water.
Bioslurry was added to the planting media with percentage of 2.5% (v/v), stirred and waited for
30 minutes. Furthermore L. minor with a density of 800 g / m or equal to 261.1 g is put into each
culture container and flattened to prevent buildup. After six days, Lemna sp. was ready to be
harvested.
2.1.2 Biological Test Lemna sp. as Nile Tilapia fish feed
Tilapia seeds are stocked into the aquarium, 20 fishes per aquarium. Fish maintenance is
carried out for 50 days. The feed is given to tilapia in accordance with the treatment, for
treatment A, is a commercial feed by using Turbo Feed T79 (control) with 18% coarse protein
content given to fish seed as much as 3% of fish weight with the frequency of giving is three
times a day (SNI 1999). Then fresh Lemna sp. gave once a day on an ad-libitum basis in
accordance with treatments B, C and D (15%, 20%, and 25% of fish weight). Periodically the
dose of feed be adjusted by following the addition of tilapia biomass which is calculated every
10 days.
The growth observations are carried out every 10 days by using the sampling methods.
Weights and lengths measurements of fish are carried out by taking sample of five fish from each
aquarium. FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio) calculation is done at the end of maintenance by taking
data based on the amount of feed used during maintenance, weighing the initial and final weight
of the tested fish. Dead fishes are checked every day, if there are dead fish it will directly taken
away and recorded the quantities and weights so that at the end of maintenance can be calculated
the survival rate of the tilapia. Furthermore, weighing the amount of feed given, aims to adjust
the amount of feed given in accordance with the weight of the tested fish.
Water quality was observed every 10 days by using the sampling method. Checking water
quality parameters (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia) is done in the morning. Water
maintenance is carried out by siphoning and replacing water. Penyiponan is done every day
before feeding using a small hose. Water replacement is done every 4 days.
Water quality observations are performed every 10 days with a sampling method.
Checking the parameters of water quality (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia) is done
in the morning. Water maintenance is carried out with the water and replacement. The sealing is
done every day before feeding using small hoses. Water replacement is done for 4 days.
2.2 Parameters
a. Survival Rate (SR)
Survival Rate (SR) is calculated using the formula from Effendie (2006):
Nt
SR (%) = × 100
No
Note :
Nt = number of fish at the end of the experiment (individual)
No = number of fish at the beginning of the experiment (individual)
b. Specific Growth Rate (SGR)
Specific Growth Rate (SGR) is calculated using the formula from Weatherley dan Gill
(1987):
lnWt−lnWo
SGR (%/day) = × 100%
t
Note:
SGR = Specific Growth Rate (%/day)
Wt = the average weight of the fish at the end of the study (g)
Wo = the average weight of the fish at the beginning of the study (g)
t = rearing period (day)
c. Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)
Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) is calculated using the formula from Effendie (2006):
F
FCR =
( Wt+ D )−Wo
Note:
F = total of feed given during the rearing period (g)
Wt = the average weight of the fish at the end of the experiment (g)
Wo = the average weight of the fish at the beginning of the experiment (g)
D = Biomass of dead fish (g)
d. Water Quality
The measured water quality parameters are temperature, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH and
ammonia. Observations are performed every 10 days once for 50 days.
3. Result and Discussion
a. Survival Rate (SR)
86 85.0
83.8
84
82
80.0
80
SR(%)
78
76.3
76
74
72
70
A (control) B (15% Lemna sp.) C (20% Lemna sp.) D (25% Lemna sp.)
Treatment
Survival Rate (SR) is a percentage of the number of biotas that lives in a certain period
(Kordi 2009). Based on Anova's variegated analysis, fresh Lemna sp. has real effect on the
survival rate of tilapia. Based on the Duncan test, there is a noticeable difference between
treatment A, treatment B toward treatment A (control) and treatment C. The percentage of tilapia
fish’s survival rate can be seen in the figure below (Figure 1).
Figure 1. The average survival rate of tilapia during maintenance
Based on the figure above, the survival rate in treatment A is considered as the best treatment (85%). There
is no significant difference between treatment A and treatment C. The survival rate in treatment C is 83,75%.
Meanwhile, the survival rates in treatment B dan D, respectively is 80% and 76,25%. The survival value of Tilapia
fed with Lemna sp. is lower than the survival value of tilapia fed with pellets. Pellet is tilapia’s common feed. So
that, at the beginning of the research, tilapia was still trying to adapt with fresh Lemna sp. According to SNI (2009)
the percentage of survival rate of tilapia is 80%. Therefore the survival of tilapia in treatments A, B and C is still
within the threshold. This result shows that the given of Lemna sp. with bioslurry fertilizers did not have a negative
effect on the survival of tilapia.
The survival rate of tilapia fish is supported by good water quality especially the content of DO (Dissolve
Oxygen) and ammonia that can still be tolerated by tilapia fish (Tabel 1). According Reebs (2009) fish that get low
oxygen will easily experience stress until finally death occurs. Then according to Anggraini et al. (2017) if the
ammonia is too high, it can cause toxic to fish, thus the survival rate is low. Increasing the ammonia concentration
exceeds the threshold causing the epithelial lining of the gill filament does not work properly, especially in oxygen
diffusion. So that the hemoglobin in the blood does not carry enough oxygen throughout the body. This results
cause disrupted metabolic system and the fish looks weak and gathered around in aeration channels to obtain
oxygen. A research by Neukobin and Sudagar (2013) shows that Grass Carp fish gave fresh Lemna sp. as its feed,
has high content of red blood cells, white blood cells and hemoglobin so that it has good effect on the fish’s body
power which ultimately has a high level of survival rate.
b. Specific Growth Rate (SGR)
The growth measurements of tilapia for 50 days shows that treatment A (control) by giving
commercial feed about 3% produced the highest average weight gain, 20.5 g (Figure 2).
25.0
20.5
Absolute Weight Growth (g)
20.0
15.0
11.2 11.4
10.0
7.2
5.0
0.0
A (control) B (15% Lemna sp.) C (20% Lemna sp.) D (25% Lemna sp.)
Treatment
Figure 2. Graphic average absolute weight growth
In Figure 2, the average absolute weight growth of tilapia in treatment A (control) is higher than the
treatment with Lemna sp. In the treatment with fresh Lemna sp. shows that the highest growth of absolute weight
is found in treatments C and D. Respectively, their weight are 11.2 g and 11.4 gr. The lowest absolute weight
growth was found in treatment B, which was 7.2 g. Based on Anova (Analysis of Variance), Lemna sp. as fresh feed
on tilapia has a real effect on the daily growth rate of tilapia. Based on Duncan's tests, there is noticable difference
between all treatments (Figure 3).
0.45
0.41
0.40
0.35
0.30
0.25 0.22 0.23
SGR (g)
0.20
0.14
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
A(control) B(Lemna sp. 15%) C(Lemna sp. 20%) D(Lemna sp. 25%)
Treatment
Figure 3. The average specific growth rate of tilapia fish during maintenance
Figure 3 shows that treatment A (control) has the highest specific growth rate (0,41%). It is because the
commercial feed (pellets) has 10% water content, so that other content such as 18% crude protein, 4-6% fat, and
4-6% crude ash can be utilized for tilapia growth. During this research, tilapia’s growth is low because it only
generates a specific growth rate at a range of 0.14-0.41% (Figure 3). A research conducted by Iskandar (2017) also
has low specific growth rate of nilem fish (Osteochilus vittatus) given the Lemna sp. (0,11-0,52%). The low value of
specific growth rate of tilapia is caused by the low nutritional value in the feed. High water content factors,
especially in vegetable feed causing the feed can be filled up faster so that it can stop the feed consumption, then
it caused the feed consumption to be low (Munisa et al. 2015).
Not only containing high water, fresh Lemna sp. has lower protein value as well (24.93%) compared to the
dry form (27.68%) (Iskandar 2017). This is in accordance with the statement Sukadi (2003), one of the important
nutritional needs for fish is protein, so the lack of protein in the feed can cause stunted growth. Based on the
results of the Lemna sp. analysis in the Animal Nutrition Laboratory, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Padjadjaran
University, the water content of fresh Lemna sp. is quite high 94.52% (Iskandar 2017) so that it can reduce the
nutritional intake of feed and subsequently result in a low growth rate of tilapia. The growth rate difference in each
treatment is influenced by the quality and quantity of feed consumed by fish. According to Neukobin and Sudagar
(2013) shows that feed consumption level and fish growth is influenced by the chemical content or nutritional
value of plants such as energy content and protein content.
c. Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)
According to Huet (1971) vegetable feed has a higher feed conversion ratio value than animal-sourced feed.
Feed conversion is influenced by the amount of nutrition, the feeding way, and fish’s weight and age. Anova’s
result indicates that, administering Lemna sp. as fresh feed, has a real influence on the tilapia’s feed conversion
value. Furthermore, Duncan's tests shows that there were significant differences between treatments A, B, C and D
(Figure 4).
6.50 6.18
6.00
5.50
5.00 4.58
4.50
4.00 3.58
3.50
FCR
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00 0.76
0.50
0.00
A (control) B (15% Lemna sp.) C (20% Lemna sp.) D (25% Lemna sp.)
Treatment
Figure 4. The average feed conversion ratio of tilapia fish during maintenance
Treatment A (control) has the lowest feed conversion value (0.76). Meanwhile, the highest
feed conversion value is treatment D (25% Lemna sp.) about 6.18. In the treatment of feeding
15-25% Lemna sp., the best conversion ratio is treatment B (15% Lemna sp.) with a feed
conversion value of 3.58. But treatment A (control) was still better compared to treatment B
(15% Lemna sp.). Pascual (1984) states that the lower the FCR value, the better the conversion
value of feed, because there is less feed needed to produce a certain weight. High coarse fiber in
fresh Lemna sp. causes the decreasing of feed conversion value. The maximum limit of coarse
fiber content in omnivor fish’s feed is 8% (Haetami et al. 2005), while coarse fiber in Lemna sp.
7-14% (Iqbal 1999). High coarse fiber content in Lemna sp. enables fish to found difficulties on
digesting food, because fish’s ability to digest coarse fiber is limited by the ability of microflora
in their intestines to secrete cellulase enzymes (Bureau et al. 1999). In addition, Halver (1989)
says that fish unable to digest coarse fiber because in the fish’s intestines there are no microflora
that can produce amylase or cellulase enzymes, although cellulase enzymes can be found in
some types of fish, but coarse fiber is often not digested by fish. According to research Hemre et
al. (2002), feed with high coarse fiber can reduce fish weight and provide a feeling of fullness
because of the composition of complex carbohydrates that can reduce appetite so that it results in
reduced feed consumption and decreases the fish’s growth.
According to Ilyas et al. (2014), giving 100% Lemna perpusilla+0% pellets on tilapia in
the recirculation system produces a feed conversion ratio about 6.70. The result of the feed
conversion ratio is still higher than the giving of Lemna sp. for tilapia with a rate of 15%, 20%,
and 25% with each feed conversion values are 3.58, 4.58, and 6.18. Then, according to the
Firdaus et al. (2017) the giving of 15% and 20% Lemna sp. in the cultivation of organic nilem
fish resulted in a feed conversion ratio of 5,85 and 5,74. This shows that in this research the
value of conversion rate is still better compared to research Ilyas et al. (2014) and Firdaus et al.
(2017) because it has a lower feed conversion value than both studies before, which means the
lower the value of feed conversion ratio then the better, the feed needed to produce fewer
specific weights. The result of feed conversion rate value indicates that Lemna sp. is a feed
material that has good quality, is reviewed from its utilization aspect.
d. Observation of water quality of tilapia maintenance
Water quality is an essential thing to be considered in aquaculture activities because it is
very influential on fish’s survival. The water used for aquaculture activities must fulfill the water
quality standard criteria so that fish can grow and develop well. Water quality parameters
observed in this research are temperature, pH, DO (Disslove oxygen) and ammonia. Based on
the research results, water quality values can be seen in the following table (Table 1). The results
of water quality measurements show that the temperature range obtained was 27,3-27,9ºC.
Temperature values in all treatments are still in the optimal range for the tilapia’s maintenance.
Temperature can affect the life activities of organisms, especially fish. If the temperature
increase, it will increase the intake of food by fish and the decreasing of temperature causes the
digestive process and metabolism will run slowly (Effendy 2003).
Table 1. Quality Water Maintenance of Tilapia
Quality Water
Treatment
Temperature (C) DO (mg/L) pH Ammonia (ppm)
A 27,5-27,8 5,0-5,2 8,1-8,3 0
B 27,5-27,9 5,0-5,1 8,1-8,4 0
C 27,3-27,5 5,0-5,3 8,1-8,3 0
D 27-4-27,5 5,0-5,1 8,2-8,4 0
SNI (1999) 25-30 >5 6,6-8,5 <0,02
DO (Dissolve Oxygen) in maintenance media is in the range of 5,0-5,3 mg/L. The range of
DO can still support good growth and survival for tilapia because the minimum standard
dissolved oxygen for tilapia maintenance according to SNI (1999) is at least 5 mg/L. Dissolved
oxygen is indispensable for respiration and metabolism as well as the survival rate of organisms
(Effendy 2003).
Based on the results of observation, the pH of water obtained is 8,1-8,4. The optimal range
of pH water for tilapia maintenance ranges from 6,6 to 8,5 (SNI 1999). It shows that the pH
range of the water is still in the optimal range. The pH value that can interfere with fish life is the
pH is too low (very acidic) and the pH is too high (very alkaline), most fish can adapt well to the
water environment that has a pH ranging from 5-9 (Effendy 2003).
Ammonia is the irrigation derived from the breakdown of organic nitrogen (protein and
urea) and inorganic nitrogen found in soil and water, derived from the decomposition of organic
matter (the dead aquatic biota) conducted by microbes and fungi known as ammonification
(Effendy 2003). Ammonia in Tilapia maintenance media for all treatment ranges from 0 ppm
(Table 1). According to SNI (1999) good ammonia for tilapia is < 0.02. The value of ammonia in
this research is still within the optimal range for tilapia’s growth.
4. Conclusion
The giving of 20% fresh Lemna sp. resulting in the specific growth rate of tilapia about
0,22%, 83,75% survival rate, and 4,58 feed conversion ratio. The treatment of 3% pellets is
better than 20% fresh Lemna sp. Nevertheless, 20% fresh Lemna sp. as fish feed is
recommended.
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