Use of water spinach in tilapia feed

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 67 views

The Effect of Addition of Water Kale (Ipomoea aquatica) to the Feed on the Growth of Length and Weight of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Introduction

Tilapia is one of the most popular consumption fish in Indonesia, known for its ease of cultivation and rapid growth rate. One crucial factor in the process of tilapia enlargement is feed. This study aims to explore the effect of feeding a mixture of pellets and water spinach on the growth of length and weight of tilapia.

Background of the Study

Tilapia is a widely cultivated fish species in Indonesia, and its popularity is due to its ease of cultivation and rapid growth rate. The growth of tilapia is influenced by various factors, including feed quality and quantity. Water spinach, also known as Ipomoea aquatica, is a nutrient-rich vegetable that can be used as a supplement to tilapia feed. This study aims to investigate the effect of adding water spinach to tilapia feed on the growth of length and weight.

Methodology

This study was conducted in Binjai City from October to December 2015, using nine concrete ponds with a size of 1 x 1 x 1 m² and 50 liter water volume for each pool. The complete random design (RAL) was applied, with three different feed treatments: P1 (Pellets + water spinach with a ratio of 1: 3), P2 (Pellets + water spinach with a ratio of 1: 2), and P3 (pellets + water spinach with a ratio of 1: 1). The study used a total of 270 tilapia fingerlings, with 90 fish per treatment.

Results

The results of the study showed that the P1 treatment provided the best daily length and daily weight growth, with a final length of 11.76 cm and weighing 13.15 grams. Meanwhile, P3 treatment recorded the lowest results, with a length of 9.97 cm and a weight of 9.66 grams. The total feed used in this study reached 3966.9 grams.

Discussion

The addition of water spinach to tilapia feed not only provides additional nutrients but also offers other benefits such as increasing the availability of fiber needed for fish digestion. Water spinach contains a variety of important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber that can support fish growth and health. With the addition of water spinach in feed, tilapia can optimize metabolism and increase the absorption of nutrients from pellets.

The results of the study showed that the feed ratio affects growth. The ratio of 1: 3 in P1 treatment shows that more water spinach in feed supports better growth than fewer feed water spinach. This may be caused by the nutritional component of water spinach which can increase palatability and reduce fish dissatisfaction with feed, so fish tend to eat more.

Conclusion

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Use of water spinach in tilapia feed: Fish farmers are advised to consider the use of water spinach in addition to the feed formulation to increase the yield of tilapia cultivation.
Further research: Further research with variations in different types of feed and doses also needs to be done to find the best formula in enlargement of tilapia more optimally.
Optimization of feed ratio: The feed ratio of 1: 3 in P1 treatment shows that more water spinach in feed supports better growth than fewer feed water spinach. Therefore, optimization of feed ratio is necessary to achieve better growth.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The study used a small sample size of 270 tilapia fingerlings, which may not be representative of the entire population.
Limited feed types: The study only used three different feed treatments, which may not be representative of all possible feed types.
Limited duration: The study was conducted for a limited duration of three months, which may not be sufficient to observe the long-term effects of water spinach on tilapia growth.

Future Research Directions

Future research directions include:

Investigation of different feed types: Further research is needed to investigate the effects of different feed types on tilapia growth.
Optimization of feed ratio: Optimization of feed ratio is necessary to achieve better growth.
Long-term effects: Further research is needed to observe the long-term effects of water spinach on tilapia growth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the addition of water spinach in tilapia feed can increase the growth of length and weight. Therefore, fish farmers are advised to consider the use of water spinach in addition to the feed formulation to increase the yield of tilapia cultivation. Further research with variations in different types of feed and doses also needs to be done to find the best formula in enlargement of tilapia more optimally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Effect of Addition of Water Kale (Ipomoea aquatica) to the Feed on the Growth of Length and Weight of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Q: What is the purpose of this study? A: The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of feeding a mixture of pellets and water spinach on the growth of length and weight of tilapia.

Q: What is water spinach? A: Water spinach, also known as Ipomoea aquatica, is a nutrient-rich vegetable that can be used as a supplement to tilapia feed.

Q: What are the benefits of adding water spinach to tilapia feed? A: The addition of water spinach to tilapia feed not only provides additional nutrients but also offers other benefits such as increasing the availability of fiber needed for fish digestion.

Q: What are the results of the study? A: The results of the study showed that the P1 treatment provided the best daily length and daily weight growth, with a final length of 11.76 cm and weighing 13.15 grams. Meanwhile, P3 treatment recorded the lowest results, with a length of 9.97 cm and a weight of 9.66 grams.

Q: What is the recommended feed ratio for optimal growth? A: The study showed that the feed ratio of 1: 3 in P1 treatment supports better growth than fewer feed water spinach. Therefore, optimization of feed ratio is necessary to achieve better growth.

Q: Can water spinach be used as a substitute for commercial feed? A: No, water spinach should not be used as a substitute for commercial feed. It is recommended to use water spinach as a supplement to commercial feed to increase the yield of tilapia cultivation.

Q: What are the limitations of this study? A: This study has several limitations, including small sample size, limited feed types, and limited duration.

Q: What are the future research directions? A: Future research directions include investigation of different feed types, optimization of feed ratio, and long-term effects of water spinach on tilapia growth.

Q: Can water spinach be used for other types of fish? A: Yes, water spinach can be used for other types of fish, but further research is needed to determine the optimal feed ratio and duration of use.

Q: How can water spinach be incorporated into commercial feed? A: Water spinach can be incorporated into commercial feed by adding it to the feed mixture or by using it as a supplement to commercial feed.

Q: What are the potential applications of this study? A: The potential applications of this study include increasing the yield of tilapia cultivation, improving the nutritional value of tilapia feed, and reducing the cost of tilapia production.

Q: Can water spinach be used for human consumption? A: Yes, water spinach is a nutritious vegetable that can be used for human consumption. However, it is recommended to cook it before consumption to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

Q: What are the potential risks associated with using water spinach in tilapia feed? A: The potential risks associated with using water spinach in tilapia feed include contamination of the feed with bacteria or other pathogens, and the potential for water spinach to cause allergic reactions in some fish.