Study the effect of different feeds on reproductive growth and culture in Monopterus albus

Monopterus albus also known by the name rciefield eel in Malaysia. Monopterus albus is one of protein source and fish oil source in Asiatic region. The economic value of monopterus albus is high within this region. The objective of this study is to find a standard feed for monopterus albus culture. The experiment is conducted by using broodstock M. albus supplied from the villagers in Tumpat, Kelantan. Mean body weight of males was above 250g per animal or above 50 cm in total length (TL). Mean body weight of female range 40-100g per animal or 30-40 cm TL (to make sure that these eels have not reversed sex yet). Broodstocks used in this experiment were cultured in the aquarium (120 x 46 x 55)cm with each partition volume of (40 x 46 x 55)cm for three months. Each partition is separated by plastic net in between. Three food treatments (FT1: live small carp, FT2: live cricket and FT3: live worm) with three replicates per treatment and 4 animals per replicate are going to be tested. The experiment lasted for 12 weeks minimally. Combination of spawning media with depth 25cm was prepared as a substrate in the aquarium. The results of present study showed that the mean daily weight gain of broodstock swamp eels is differed significantly under different fresh feeds (F=44.451, p ≤ 0.05). The mean daily weight gain was highest in eels that feed followed by cricket and worm with the mean and standard deviation of 1.00±0.20g/day, 0.53±0.10g/day and 0.79+0.00g/day rspectively. The length gain of broodstock swamp eels is differed significantly under different fresh feeds (F=414.72, p ≤ 0.05). The length gain was highest in eels that feed with small carp followed by cricket and worm with the mean and standard deviation of 24.32±0.79cm, 12.79±0.12cm and 2.30±1.41cm respectively. The specific growth rate of broodstock swamp eels is differed significantly under different fresh feeds (F=5.927p ≤ 0.05). The specific growth rate was highest in eels that feed with small carp with the mean and standard deviation of 0.66±0.05%, followed by specific growth rate of broodstock swamp eels feed with cricket and worm with mean and standard deviation 0.53±0.01% and 0.31±0.21% respectively.