Effect of Different Stocking Density of Snakehead Fish (Channa striata) Cultured in Recirculation Aquaculture System

Research Institute for Freshwater Aquaculture and Fisheries Extention, Jl. Sempur No.1, Bogor, 16154, West Java, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: d_puspaningsih@yahoo.com

Abstract

In Indonesia, the use of such recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) is rapidly increasing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the growth, blood chemistry, and water quality of snakehead fish (C. striata) maintained in RAS at varied stocking densities. The RAS was established at the Bogor-based Research Institute for Freshwater Aquaculture and Fisheries Extension. The study employed a completely randomized study using 3 various densities: A). 1 individual L^-1, B). 3 individual L^-1 and c). 6 individuals L^-1, each using three replications. The average weight and length of snakehead fish used is 1.50±0.63 g and 6.20±0.94 cm. Growth performances such as survival rate, weight, and length gain, food conversion ratio, specific growth rate, and final biomass were observed during the research. Blood chemistry parameters analyzed were blood glucose, triglycerides, and total protein. The water quality characteristics were evaluated: pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, total ammonia nitrogen, nitrate, nitrite, and orthophosphate. The analysis indicates that snakehead fish's growth performances and blood chemistry parameters differed considerably (P<0.05) across all density treatments, with 3 individual L^-1 showing the best growth performances. The RAS utilized in snakehead fish culture kept the water quality parameters steady throughout the study.