Effect of different stocking densities on growth performance and gut villi histology of endemic ornamental fish (Betta rubra) in the biofloc technology

Fazril Saputra; Zulfadhli Zulfadhli; Muhammad Arif  Nasution; Ahmad Fahrul Syarif; Maftuch Maftuch; Mu’amar Abdan; Sofian Sofian; Dini Islama

doi:10.22034/ijab.v14i4.2862

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Fazril Saputra
fazrilsaputra@utu.ac.id
Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Teuku Umar. Jl. Alue Peunyareng, Gunong Kleng, Meureubo, West Aceh 23681, Aceh, Indonesia.
Zulfadhli Zulfadhli Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Teuku Umar. Jl. Alue Peunyareng, Gunong Kleng, Meureubo, West Aceh 23681, Aceh, Indonesia.
Muhammad Arif Nasution Department of Aquatic Resources, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Teuku Umar. Jl. Alue Peunyareng, Gunong Kleng, Meureubo, West Aceh 23681, Aceh, Indonesia.
Ahmad Fahrul Syarif Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Bangka Belitung, UBB Integrated Campus, Balunijuk, Merawang, Bangka Regency 33172, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, Indonesia.
Maftuch Maftuch Program Study of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya. Jl. Veteran, Malang 65145, East Java, Indonesia.
Mu’amar Abdan Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gajah Putih, Jl. Simpang Kelaping-Lukup Badak-Belang Bebangka, Pegasing, Takengon, Central Aceh, 24560, Aceh, Indonesia.
Sofian Sofian Program Study of Fisheries Science, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Univeritas PGRI Palembang. Jl. Ahmad Yani. Lr. Gotong Royong 9/10 Ulu Palembang, 30251, South Sumatra Province, Indonesia.
Dini Islama Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Teuku Umar. Jl. Alue Peunyareng, Gunong Kleng, Meureubo, West Aceh 23681, Aceh, Indonesia.

Vol. 14 No. 4 (2026): In Press

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June 11, 2026

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The endemic ornamental fish Betta rubra, known locally as serban malem, is a high-value non-consumptive fishery product. This study aims to evaluate the growth performance and histological structure of gut villi of B. rubra fish maintained in a biofloc system with different stocking densities. This study used a completely randomized design with four treatments: 1 fish/liter (control, no biofloc system), 1 fish/liter (biofloc system), 2 fish/liter (biofloc system), and 4 fish/liter (biofloc system). Treatments showing significant differences were further evaluated using Duncan's test. The results showed that the survival rate, length increase, and feed conversion ratio in the biofloc system were significantly different from those of the control (P<0.05). In contrast, daily growth rate and weight gain were not significantly different between treatments. Fish intestinal villi in the biofloc system were significantly different compared to those in the control. In conclusion, the optimal rearing density of B. rubra is 2 fish/liter in the biofloc system (P2).

Saputra, F., Zulfadhli, Z., Nasution, M. A., Syarif, A. F., Maftuch, M., Abdan, M., Sofian, S., & Islama, D. (2026). Effect of different stocking densities on growth performance and gut villi histology of endemic ornamental fish (Betta rubra) in the biofloc technology. International Journal of Aquatic Biology, 14(4), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijab.v14i4.2862

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