Application of Indian nettle (Acalypha indica) and mung bean sprouts (Vigna radiata) as a source of plant protein to improve gourami (Osphronemus goramy) production

Indian nettle (Acalypha indica) and mung bean sprouts (Vigna radiata) are alternatives for soybean meal because of their high protein content. The purpose of this study was to find and analyze the effect of using Indian nettle flour and bean sprouts as a feed substitution of soybean meal on the growth of gourami (Osphronemus goramy) fingerlings. Gourami with an average individual length of 7.0±0.24 cm and an average individual weight of 6.04±0.2 g were used. The stocking density was 1 fish L-1, in 10 L aquariums, and 42 days of maintenance. The 4 treatments were formulated to have approximately 32% crude protein: A - commercial feed; B - test feed with including 8% Indian nettle flour and 0% mung bean sprout flour; C - test feed with 3% Indian nettle flour and 3% mung bean sprouts flour; D - test feed with 8% mung bean sprouts flour and 0% Indian nettle flour. Observed data include feed consumption level, feed utilization efficiency, feed conversion ratio (FCR), relative growth rate (RGR), survival rate, and water quality. The best feed utilization efficiency was observed in treatment C, 95.92±2.49%, and the best FCR value was also in treatment C, with 1.67±0.03. The treatment with the best growth was treatment C (RGR 6.11±0.07% per day).