Raw Data Manuscript No. 3812653

This study aims to determine the effect of enriching feed with EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) + DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) using fish oil on fatty acids content, whole-body carcass, growth, and feed efficiency in Asian redtail catfish Hemibagrus nemurus. The test samples comprised 180 juveniles weighing 35.29 ±0.75 g, which were divided into 4 groups. In addition, the samples were raised in 12 circular tarpaulin ponds, each containing 200 liters of water and 15 fish. The experiment consisted of 3 replicates, and feed was enriched with varying levels of EPA+DHA, namely 0 mg/kg (A1), 6,300 mg/kg (A2), 9,180 mg/kg (A3), and 12,600 mg/kg (A4). Fish were fed a daily portion equivalent to 5% of body weight, followed by analyses. The results showed that the enrichment of feed with varying levels of EPA+DHA using fish oil significantly influenced fatty acid compositions and whole-body carcass, as well as growth and feed efficiency (p<0.05). The total n-3 content of feed increased from 5.55% to 8.46%, while the whole-body carcass experienced an increment from 2.66% to 3.45%. In addition, the total n-6 content decreased from 20.38% to 18.95%, with whole-body carcass experiencing a decrease from 15.53% to 10.56%. The results also showed that the DHA levels increased from 1.19% to 1.67% of the total fatty acids. In A4, the C20:5 n -3 (EPA) levels increased from 0.62 to 0.90%, while the C22:6 n-3 (DHA) levels increased from 1.19 to 1.93%. The final body weight and feed conversion of fish increased from 82.50 g to 104.50 g and 80.04% to 94.36%, respectively, while the lipid retention decreased from 152.38% to 133.51%. Based on these results, enrichment with 12,600 mg EPA+DHA using fish oil had proven to be beneficial in improving growth, fatty acids in carcass, and feed efficiency of Hemibagrus nemurus.