Ichsan Achmad Fauzi, Julie Ekasari, Anie Yulistyorini, Ridwan Muhamad Rifai, Jenvia Rista Pratiwi, Nina Rachminiwati, Widodo Samundhono Satrio Ramadiva
Duckweed (Lemna sp.) is an aquatic macrophyte with considerable potential as an alternative feed ingredient due to its high nutritional value. This study investigated the effects of incorporating duckweed, prepared in either dried or fresh form, into tilapia diets on growth performance and related physiological responses. The experiment was conducted over a 60-day period using a completely randomized design comprising three dietary treatments: a control diet (CTRL), a diet supplemented with 15% dried duckweed (DDW), and a diet supplemented with 15% fresh duckweed (FDW), each with three replicates. The findings indicated that neither dried nor fresh duckweed supplementation produced a statistically significant effect on the growth rate of tilapia. However, the fresh duckweed treatment yielded the highest survival rate and feed intake among treatments. The inclusion of fresh duckweed also enabled a reduction in the use of formulated feed by up to 12 %. Histological analysis revealed that fish receiving the dried duckweed diet exhibited greater villus height and a larger villus surface area compared with those fed fresh duckweed. Overall, although growth performance was not significantly altered, fresh duckweed improved survival and substituted the use of formulated feed, while dried duckweed enhanced intestinal morphological structure compared to fresh duckweed. These results suggest that both dried and fresh duckweed can serve as viable alternative feed ingredients to support more sustainable and efficient tilapia culture. © 2026, Egyptian Society for the Development of Fisheries and Human Health. All rights reserved.
Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, IPB University, West Java, Bogor, Indonesia; Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University, West Java, Bogor, Indonesia; Study Program of Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering and Planning, Faculty of Engineering, State University of Malang, Malang, Indonesia; PT Inovasi Akuakultur Muda, Bandung, Indonesia
