Optimizing JICA Tilapia Larvae Production: Effect of Egg Density in Controlled Hatching at Jambi Peatland Hatchery

Sustainable aquaculture is crucial for environmental and economic stability in tropical regions. JICA tilapia ( Oreochromis sp.) aquaculture development in Sumatran peatlands requires sustainable fry. This study aimed to analyze the optimal egg density to maximize larval production in a controlled hatchery environment. Utilizing a randomized experimental approach, we obtained eggs from naturally spawned tilapia, hatched in a funnel container (top diameter 30 cm; bottom diameter 15 cm; height 50 cm; water volume 10 L) within a 5 x 10 x 1 m 3 tub filled with 90 cm of water using a recirculation system. We compared two densities: 2,000 eggs/L water and 3,000 eggs/L water. The findings of our study indicate that the difference in hatching rate between egg densities of 2000 eggs/L and 3000 eggs/L was not significant at the 95% confidence level ( p> 0.05 ). Increasing the egg density to 3000 eggs/L does not significantly reduce the hatching rate, making it possible to consider higher densities without significant risks to larval production. This offers a model that can be replicated in similar tropical peatland environments.