Feeding incidence and biological performance of Nilem carp, Osteochilus haseltii larvae to juvenile stages cultured under different aeration rate

Nilem carp, Osteochilus hasselti is one of the local species which has an economic value in Indonesia especially the fingerling size “baby fish”. The purpose of this research is to determine the suitable of aeration rate for feeding incidence, survival, and growth. The aeration rates of this research were adjusted to A) 0 ml/minute; B) 500 ml/minute; C) 1,000 ml/minute; D) 1,500 ml/minute; and E) 2,000 ml/minute. Each treatment consisted of three replicates. 600 of newly hatched larvae (1 day old) were stocked in the fiber tank with size of 60 x 40 x 40 cm. Each fiber tank was completed by water heater. Larvae were cultured for 45 days. Larvae were fed Artemia and artificial diet. The parameters observed such as feeding incidence, survival, absolute weight and absolute length. The result showed that the aeration rate has influenced feeding incidence, the survival, absolute weight, and absolute length (P<0.05). The water quality parameter such as dissolved oxygen was affected by aeration rate where the higher of aeration will be led to increase the value of dissolved oxygen concentration. The aeration rate of 1,000 ml/minute is recommended to be suitable for larviculture of nilem carp in order to increase the seed production.