THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN B COMPLEX AND PHOSPHORUS ON THE RNA/DNA RATIO AND LARVAL GROWTH OF BARRAMUNDI, Lates calcarifer Bloch, 1790 Ahmad Yani (ab), Muh. Yusri Karim (c*), Zainuddin (c), Siti Aslamyah (c)
a) Doctoral Program in Fisheries Science, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar
b) Sorong Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic, Sorong
c) Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar
yusri_karim[at]yahoo.com
Abstract
Barramundi (L. calcarifer) is a valuable fish with aquaculture potential. One of the factors determining the success of barramundi aquaculture is the availability of seeds, however larviculture success is often low. This research examined the effect of supplementation with various combinations of vitamin B complex and phosphorus on the RNA/DNA ratio and growth of captive-bred barramundi larvae. Barramundi larvae aged 2 days were stocked at a density of 25 fish/L and reared for 30 days with natural feed (Chlorella and rotifers) in 40 L containers filled with 30 L water. Commercial vitamin B complex and mineral phosphorus were dissolved in water and added to the larval rearing media. The research used a completely randomized factorial design with 2 factors, 4 levels and 3 replicates giving, 16 treatments and 48 experimental units. The factors were vitamin B complex (0, 75, 150, and 225mg/L) and phosphorus (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5mg/L). Analysis of variance showed that the combination of vitamin B complex and phosphorus had a highly significant effect (p<0.01) on the RNA/DNA ratio. Barramundi larval growth was lowest with 0mg/L of both supplements (control) and highest with 150mg/L vitamin B complex and 1.0mg/L phosphorus, decreasing with higher levels of either additive.
Keywords: Vitamin B complex, phosphorus, barramundi larvae, RNA/DNA ratio, growth
