Response of fermented Cladophora containing diet on growth performances and feed efficiency of Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.)

Feed is still contributed the highest in the cost of aquaculture. Fermented Cladophora was applied to replace plant-based protein for tilapia. Five different diets, but all are iso-protein, were formulated, substituting 0% (as control) to 40% of plant-based protein with fermented Cladophora. The experiment was set up using 15 aquaria, each of 30 l and stocked with tilapia (initial individual size of 3.65 ± 0.26 g) at density of 1 fish l-1. All the fish was fed at 3% of body-weight day-1 and the experiment was ended at day 42nd. The result showed that tilapia fed with 10% of fermented Cladophora reached the highest in growth rate, feed efficiency, protein digestibility, and essential amino acid index. The growth rate of this treatment was 30% higher than the control diet (non substitution with fermented Cladophora). This means that by changing ingredients in the diet, it may affect in cost reduction or gain in production biomass.