Kinerja Pertumbuhan Lobster Air Tawar (Cherax quadricarinatus) yang Diberi Pakan dengan Kadar Protein Berbeda pada Sistem RAS di Ciherang Lobster Farm

Abstract

Lobster air tawar Cherax quadricarinatus merupakan komoditas yang diminati konsumen dan pembudidaya, namun memiliki tingkat kanibalisme tinggi dan laju pertumbuhan lambat karena diberi pakan alternatif dengan kandungan nutrien yang belum optimal. Peran protein dapat mendukung proses pertumbuhan dan pembentukan karapas. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis pengaruh kadar protein berbeda dalam pakan terhadap kinerja pertumbuhan lobster air tawar Cherax quadricarinatus sistem RAS DI Ciherang Lobster Farm. Rancangan acak lengkap digunakan dengan tiga perlakuan dan tiga ulangan: K (campuran pelet komersil 32% protein + singkong 2% protein), P1 (pakan formulasi 20% protein), dan P2 (pakan formulasi 30% protein). Lobster uji sebanyak 20 ekor dipelihara dalam kolam beton berukuran 1,3x0,6 m selama 60 hari dan diberi pakan dengan metode restricted sebanyak 2 kali sehari. Hasil menunjukkan tidak signifikan (p>0,05) terhadap kinerja pertumbuhan, namun menunjukkan signifikan terhadap rasio efisiensi protein (REP). Rasio efisiensi protein pada kontrol menghasilkan perbedaan nyata terhadap P1 dan P2 (p<0,05). Tingkat kelangsungan hidup tidak berbeda nyata antar perlakuan (p>0,05). Perbedaan kadar protein pada pakan belum dapat memberi pengaruh signifikan terhadap kinerja pertumbuhan lobster air tawar (Cherax quadricarinatus). Hasil penelitian ini dapat menjadi informasi dalam pengembangan formulasi pakan dan penerapan sistem resirkulasi yang lebih efisien untuk budidaya lobster air tawar.

Freshwater crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) is a commodity favored by consumers and aquaculture producers; however, its culture is constrained by high cannibalism and slow growth rates due to the use of alternative feeds with suboptimal nutrient content. Protein plays an important role in supporting growth and carapace formation. This study aimed to analyze the effect of different dietary protein levels on the growth performance of freshwater crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) cultured in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) at Ciherang Lobster Farm. A completely randomized design consisting of three treatments and three replicates was employed: K (a mixture of commercial feed containing 32% protein and cassava containing 2% protein), P1 (formulated feed containing 20% protein), and P2 (formulated feed containing 30% protein). Twenty crayfish were reared in concrete tanks measuring 1.3 × 0.6 m for 60 days and were fed twice daily using a restricted feeding method. The results showed no significant effect (p > 0.05) on growth performance; however, a significant effect was observed on protein efficiency ratio (PER). The PER of the control treatment differed significantly from those of P1 and P2 (p < 0.05). Survival rate did not differ significantly among treatments (p > 0.05). Different dietary protein levels did not significantly affect the growth performance of freshwater crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus). These findings provide useful information for the development of feed formulations and the application of more efficient recirculating aquaculture systems for freshwater crayfish culture.