Assessing the Growth Potential of Clarias sp. (Catfish) on a Hybrid Diet of Pellets and Fresh Hermetia illucens Maggot Inputs.

In light of the progressive expansion of catfish aquaculture in Indonesia, there has been an observed surge in demand for high-caliber fish feed. This demand, however, is challenged by the escalated prices of commercial feeds due to the dependency on imported commodities, consequently threatening the viability of the catfish industry. This trend accentuates the critical need for innovative, indigenous, and nutrient-rich feed alternatives. The larvae of the Black Soldier Fly (BSF), endowed with their substantial protein content, stand out as a potential substitute. This study was instituted to investigate the influence of integrating varying proportions of BSF larvae with conventional pellet feed on catfish growth parameters. Conducted from May to August 2022, using a comprehensive randomized design (CRD), five distinct feed formulations were evaluated: P1 (100% pellets), P2 (75% pellets, 25% larvae), P3 (50% pellets, 50% larvae), P4 (25% pellets, 75% larvae), and P5 (100% larvae). Each treatment was replicated thrice, and tested on catfish groups maintained at a density of 15 fish per 15-liter container over 30 days. The data revealed that the 50% BSF larvae and 50% pellet mixture (P3) outperformed other treatments, registering an absolute daily growth rate of 19.67 g, relative growth of 2.25%, and a feed conversion ratio of 1.52. These empirical findings underscore the efficacy of BSF larvae as a viable feed component and highlight the strategic importance of formulating balanced feed mixtures for optimizing catfish growth.