The effect of different culture media on the growth of Tubifex tubifex

Abstract

Tubifex tubifex worms are highly valued as live feed in aquaculture due to their nutritional benefits and simple cultivation techniques. This study evaluated the impact of cow dung, banana peels, and water hyacinth as culture media on the growth performance of T. tubifex. Tubifex worms were cultured for 30 days in plastic trays (37266.5 cm3) using three media; T1: 50% cow dung with 50% paddy clay soil, T2: 50% banana peel with 50% paddy clay soil, and T3: 50% water hyacinth with 50% paddy clay soil. Each treatment had three replicates. Worms were inoculated at 1.25 mg cm2- and each treatment was replenished at 250 mg cm-2 of the respective medium every 10 days. A continuous water flow at a rate of 2.04 ± 0.14 mL/s was maintained. Growth (density and biomass of worms) and water quality parameters (temperature, pH, TDS, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, DO, water flow rate, alkalinity, and hardness) were analyzed. using One way ANOVA. After 30 days, T1 recorded the significantly highest worm density (59.63 ± 1.98 individuals/cm2) and biomass (16.64 ± 0.51 mg cm2), while T3 exhibited the significantly lowest density and biomass and T2 showed moderate values. Water temperature, pH, ammonia and DO range from 27.43 ± 0.15 to 28.83 ± 0.06 °C, 7.56 ± 0.05 to 8.7 ± 0.05, 1.03 ± 0.06 to 4.87 ± 0.06 mg/L and 7.42 ± 0.01 to 7.77 ± 0.02 mg/L, respectively. The study concluded that cow dung was the most effective medium for cultivating Tubifex tubifex compared to banana peels and water hyacinth.