THE EFFECT OF PROVIDING DIFFERENT TYPES OF NATURAL FEED ON THE ABSOLUTE LENGTH GROWTH OF MANFISH (Pterophyllum scalare) MEASURING 4-5 cm IN EXPERIMENTAL TANKS

Abstract

Indonesia is a significant hub for the global ornamental fish sector, contributing approximately 400 out of 1,100 internationally traded freshwater ornamental fish species, including the highly popular Manfish (Pterophyllum scalare). Due to its graceful movement and distinct flat body shape, the manfish is a key commodity. This omnivorous species exhibits a carnivorous tendency, prioritizing a high-protein diet for optimal growth. While Manfish sized 4-5 cm can consume commercial feed, they show a preference for natural feeds like brine shrimp (Artemia salina), tubifex worms (Tubifex sp.), and water fleas (Daphnia sp.) due to their high nutritional content and motion, which stimulates appetite. Maintaining an optimal diet, specifically 30-45% protein and 6-10% fat during the juvenile stage, is crucial for successful cultivation and is primarily provided through these natural feeds. Length is often considered a more stable indicator of skeletal growth than weight in ornamental fish studies. This research aims to determine the effect of different types of natural feed on the absolute length growth of Manfish (Pterophyllum scalare) measuring 4-5 cm in experimental tanks and to identify the best natural feed type for maximizing this growth. The study will be conducted using an experimental method with a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of three treatments and nine replications each: Treatment A (Tubifex sp.), Treatment B (Artemia salina), and Treatment C (Daphnia sp.). The study will use 81 Manfish (4-5 cm, mean weight 3,05 g/fish) with a stocking density of 1 fish/L.