Utilization of Freshwater Snail Meal in Paste Feed as a Protein Source for Growth and Survival Rate of Baung (Hemibagrus nemurus) Larvae

Abstract

A research was conducted from Januaryt until March 2013 at Fish Hatchery and Breeding Laboratory, Fisheries and Marine Science Faculty Riau University. Its aim was to evaluate replacement of protein source from fish meal (FM) to freshwater snail meal (FSM) on Baung larval rearing. Combination of the diet used in this study were: P0 (0% FSM, 100% FM), P1 (25% FSM, 75% FM), P3 (50% FSM, 50% FM), P4 (75% FSM, 25%FM), and P5 (100%FSM, 0% FM). The larvae were reared in 15 litre aquarium for 40 days at stocking density 2 larvae/l. Feeding was given 3 times/day. Freshwater snail flour can be replaced fish meal as a protein source paste feed in fish larvae rearing of Baung. Replacement of freshwater snail meal to fish meal can be done up to 50-100% resulting weight growth 0.89 to 1.16 g, length growth rate 3.7 to 4.0 cm, specific growth rate 9.52 to 10.19% and survival rate 69-75%.A 100% freshwater snail meal was the the most efficient paste feed to produce 40 days green catfish larvae.