Utilization of feed and rice straw compost for milkfish, Chanos chanos, production in brackishwater ponds

Abstract

The study was undertaken to determine the effect of 0, 25, 50 and 75% replacement of organic matter in the feed with rice straw compost on milkfish (Chanos chanos) growth and production. Treatments have similar organic matter and nitrogen loads. Up to 50% substitution (Treatments 1 to 3) was possible without significantly affecting fish growth and yield (668–725 kg/ha). A significant reduction in growth and yield (456 kg/ha) with 75% substitution (Treatment 4) implies that organic matter from compost did not contribute much to fish growth. Low phosphorus content of compost and inadequate phosphorus load in spite of increasing mineral input from compost resulted in similar primary productivity in all treatments. It appeared that compost was not a satisfactory feed substitute and that the fish derived most of their nutrition from the feed. The results further suggest that yield could be economically increased by using a low protein diet (23.8%) given at a lower rate (1.75% of body weight). To further improve yield, feeding rate can be gradually increased as biomass increases, although the most cost-effective ration will depend on the fish capacity to grow under certain environmental conditions.