IMPROVING COLOUR QUALITY OF CORAL TROUT GROUPER PLECTROPOMUSLEOPARDUS(LACEPEDE) OF ASTAXANTHIN AND REBON MEAL IN FEED

Abstract

The coral trout grouper (P. leopardus) found in nature often has a red hue, while others cultured in captivity lack this coloring. This disparity has been reported to negatively affectconsumer interest in fish products.To address this issue,there is a need to add an additive that can improve the appearance of the red coloration. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effectiveness of adding astaxanthin and rebon meal to feed to improve the red color quality of coral trout grouper (P. leopardus) during the enlargement phase. The treatments tested included(feed A) 1% astaxanthin; (feed B) 15% rebon meal; (feed C) 0.5% astaxanthin and 7.5% rebon meal; and feed D as control. The fish were given dry pellet feed twice a day in the morning and evening (2-3% biomass per day).The samples consisted of coral trout groupers with a weight of ± 185 g and a density of 25 fish/net, which were cultured in floating net cages measuring 2x2x2 m. The parameters observed in this study were growth, survival, feed consumption rate, color quality, as well as levels of carotenoids in feed and fish. The results showed that the addition of astaxanthin and its combination with rebon meal improved the red color quality. Furthermore, the addition of only astaxanthin caused an increase in pigment concentrations, as indicated by changes in the red color indicator value, but the combination treatment had no significant effect.