Effectiveness of adding monosodium glutamate to an artificial feed on the growth and survival of Asian Redtail Catfish (Hemibagrus nemurus)

Abstract

The problems in Asian Redtail Catfish farming are low growth and survival rate. Therefore, it is necessary to provide adequate feed to increase the production. One of these important nutrients is glutamine which can be obtained in the form of monosodium glutamate (MSG). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of adding MSG to feed on the growth and survival rate of Asian Redtail Catfish. Five experimental diets with graded levels of MSG were used, i.e. P0 as the control (0.0 g kg-1 feed), P1 (0.5 g kg-1 feed), P2 (1.0 g kg-1 feed), P3 (1.5 g kg-1 feed), and P4 (2.0 g kg-1 feed) with three replications. Twenty Asian Redtail Catfish juveniles were randomly distributed into aquarium (10 L in capacity) and kept in conditions without changing water. The fish were fed three times a day to apparent satiation at 08.00 AM, 01.00 PM, and 06.00 PM. The fish on MSG supplemented diets had higher final body weight, specific growth rate, and feed conversion ratio. Furthermore, MSG treatment groups had increased feed intake and feed efficiency, but there were no significant differences in final mean body weight. In conclusion, the current study showed that adding MSG to the diet could enhance growth and survival of Asian Redtail Catfish.