Efficacy of dietary engkabang oil (Shorea macrophylla) on growth performance of fingerling malayan mahseer (Tor tambroides)

¹ Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut Campus, 22200 Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia
² Masheer Hatchery, The Sims Aquaculture Sdn Bhd, 326 Jalan Semaba, 93250 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: conniekomilus@unisza.edu.my

Abstract

The use of Shorea macrophylla oil (SMO) as a substitute for fish oil in enhancing the growth performance of Malayan Mahseer (Tor tambroides) has received limited attention. This study aimed to evaluate the proximate composition fatty acid profiles of SMO and assess its impact as an alternative lipid source for replacing fish oil in the diet of Tor tambroides. A 2-month feeding trial was conducted using 75 fingerlings, averaging 17.9±0.1 g in weight, distributed randomly across five triplicated feed treatments. These dietary treatments consisted of 0% SMO (control), 1.25% SMO (T-1.25smo), 2.5% SMO (T-2.5smo), 3.75% SMO (T-3.75smo), and 5% SMO (T-5smo). The fatty acid composition of Shorea macrophylla oil and the proximate composition of the treatment diets were analyzed. Growth indices (BWG, FI, FCR, and SR) were recorded at 10-day intervals. The results indicate that the incorporation of 2.5% SMO led to an 80.89% increase in BWG with the lowest FCR (2.61) and feed intake. This suggests that including 2.5% Shorea macrophylla oil in the diet may positively impact the growth performance of Tor tambroides fingerlings.