Shrimp Head Protein Hydrolysate as a Potential Feed Attractant for the Asian Redtail Catfish (Hemibagrus nemurus) Larvae

Hadi, Khairul; Suharman, Indra; Hasan, Bustari; Rosyadi, Rosyadi; Caipang, Christopher

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2024.387014

Shrimp Head Protein Hydrolysate as a Potential Feed Attractant for the Asian Redtail Catfish (Hemibagrus nemurus) Larvae

Authors

10.21608/ejabf.2024.387014

Abstract

Protein hydrolysates are known for their feed attractant properties in various fish species; however, their efficacy in the Asian redtail catfish (Hemibagrus nemurus) remains underexplored. This study evaluated the effects of shrimp head protein hydrolysate (SHPH) on feed attractiveness and palatability in the Asian redtail catfish larvae. A completely randomized design was employed, incorporating four dietary treatments: a control (0% SHPH) and three experimental diets with 2.5, 5, and 7.5% SHPH supplementation, respectively. Larval responses were analyzed, including the attractiveness and palatability of the larval feed, the level of feed consumption, feed efficiency, feed rejection, and the time to first feed capture. Results demonstrated significant effects on feed attractiveness and palatability when SHPH was included in the diets. The treatment with 5% SHPH supplementation produced the most favorable outcomes across all measured parameters. These findings suggest that SHPH can significantly enhance the feeding responses of the Asian redtail catfish larvae, with a 5% inclusion level in the diets being the most optimal dose. Incorporating SHPH into the larval diets of the Asian redtail catfish has the potential to improve feed utilization and minimize waste, contributing to more sustainable aquaculture practices for this commercially important species.

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