Electronic Theses and Dissertation

Feed is a crucial component in the aquaculture of silver barb (Barbonymus gonionotus); however, high feed costs and relatively slow growth rates remain major constraints in its cultivation. One strategy to overcome these problems is the utilization of locally available fermented feed ingredients, such as cassava leaves (Manihot esculenta), to improve nutritional quality and feed efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fermented cassava leaf meal supplementation in artificial diets on the growth performance of silver barb fingerlings. The research was conducted from August to September 2025 at the Fish Hatchery and Breeding Laboratory, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries, Universitas Syiah Kuala. A completely randomized design (CRD) was applied with five dietary treatments consisting of fermented cassava leaf meal inclusion levels of 0% (control), 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, each with four replications. The results showed that the inclusion of fermented cassava leaf meal had a significant effect (P0.05) on absolute length gain, SGR, and FCR. The best weight gain was obtained at the 5% inclusion level, while the most efficient feed utilization was observed at the 15% inclusion level. Water quality parameters during the experiment remained within optimal ranges for silver barb growth. In conclusion, fermented cassava leaf meal has the potential to be used as an alternative feed ingredient in silver barb aquaculture.

Keywords: Barbonymus gonionotus, cassava leaf, fermentation, growth performance, alternative feet

Feed is a crucial component in the aquaculture of silver barb (Barbonymus gonionotus); however, high feed costs and relatively slow growth rates remain major constraints in its cultivation. One strategy to overcome these problems is the utilization of locally available fermented feed ingredients, such as cassava leaves (Manihot esculenta), to improve nutritional quality and feed efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fermented cassava leaf meal supplementation in artificial diets on the growth performance of silver barb fingerlings. The research was conducted from August to September 2025 at the Fish Hatchery and Breeding Laboratory, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries, Universitas Syiah Kuala. A completely randomized design (CRD) was applied with five dietary treatments consisting of fermented cassava leaf meal inclusion levels of 0% (control), 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, each with four replications. The results showed that the inclusion of fermented cassava leaf meal had a significant effect (P0.05) on absolute length gain, SGR, and FCR. The best weight gain was obtained at the 5% inclusion level, while the most efficient feed utilization was observed at the 15% inclusion level. Water quality parameters during the experiment remained within optimal ranges for silver barb growth. In conclusion, fermented cassava leaf meal has the potential to be used as an alternative feed ingredient in silver barb aquaculture. Keywords: Barbonymus gonionotus, cassava leaf, fermentation, growth performance, alternative feet