Physical Characteristics Content Evaluation of Feed Containing Termite as a Potential Alternative for Fish Feed
Haqi Astika Marela *
Lambung Mangkurat University, South Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Indira Fitriliyani
Aquaculture Department, Fisheries and Marine Faculty, Lambung Mangkurat University, South Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Untung Bijaksana
Aquaculture Department, Fisheries and Marine Faculty, Lambung Mangkurat University, South Kalimantan, Indonesia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Termite flour is very promising as a raw material for snakehead feed to substitute fish meals. The good raw material and composition will produce quality artificial feed with a high level of water stability, preferred and safe for fish. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of snakehead feed at various levels of substitution of fish meal with termites based on physical tests. The treatments given were the subtitution 0, 9, 6, 12% of fish meal with termite flour. The feed physical test results include water stability, homogeneity level, bouyancy, attractability, and storability. The results showed that the substitution of fish meal with termite flour was able to maintain water stability for more than 24 hours, the level of feed homogeneity was quite uniform in all treatments, the pungent aroma of feed preferred by snakehead was proven by the results of the feed allureness test which showed that the feed was eaten by snakehead in less than 5 seconds. The test results showed that the level of substitution of fish meal with termite flour with different levels resulted in feed with relatively the same quality in all treatments.
Keywords: Termite, fish feed, physical characteristics