The Production of Floating Fish Feed Using Melon Shell as A Floating Agent

Abstract

A total of sixteen (16) feeds were formulated, containing different percentage inclusion levels of melon shell. The melon shell was subjected to three (3) different treatments; ground, crushed and uncrushed. Diet 1 had 0 percent melon shell inclusion. Diets 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 had 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% melon shell inclusions in ground form respectively. While Diets 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 had 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% melon shell inclusions in crushed form respectively and Diets 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 had 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% melon shell inclusions in uncrushed form respectively. The diets were all subjected to floating trials and their percentage floatation over time showed significant differences (P<0.05). Diets 7, 8 and 11 had the highest percentage floatation over time at 40%, 30.3% and 40% floatation assessed over 60 minutes respectively. Therefore, melon shell in crushed form at appropriate inclusion levels will produce floating feed for aquatic organisms.