THE EFFECT SUBSTITUTION OF FISH MEAL WITH FRESH BLACK SOLDIER FLY LARVA ON THE GROWTH AND HEALTH OF CATFISH (Clarias sp.)

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effect of substituting fish meal with fresh Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae in feed on the growth of catfish (Clarias sp.). This study used a completely randomized design with four treatments and triplicates. The treatments include P1 (100% fish meal: 0% fresh BSF larvae), P2 (75% fish meal: 25% fresh BSF larvae), P3 (50% fish meal: 50% fresh BSF larvae), and P4 (25% fish meal: 75% fresh BSF larvae). The research used catfish seeds measuring 9-12 cm and fed them twice a day with a dosage of 3% based on fish biomass. Data were analyzed using variance analysis with a significance level of 95%. The research results show that substituting 50% fish meal with 50% fresh BSF larvae increases survival, absolute growth, specific growth rate, and reduces the feed conversion ratio of catfish. Substituting 25% fish meal with 75% fresh BSF larvae resulted in an absolute weight-based growth performance of 24.20±0.94 g and a weight-based specific growth rate of 0.4±0.01%/day. Substituting 50% fish meal with 50% fresh BSF larvae resulted in a survival rate of 94.67±2.31% and a feed conversion ratio of 1.2±0.08.