Pengujian Perilaku Predator dan Anti-Predator pada Ikan Lele Dumbo (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822) Transgenik F3

Abstract

African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) transgenic F3 containing Pangasius hypothalmus growth hormone (PhGH) genes can growth twice the average weight of the control population. However, before transgenic African catfish are released and utilized, their genetic impact on the natural environment must be examined. Predator avoidance is one of the major fitness traits determining potential environment risk. To determine the predator avoidance ability and growth performance of transgenic African catfish, various densities of transgenic and nontransgenic African catfish were communally stocked in 35/aquarium without supplemental feeding. The average length of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) range between 4,49 ± 0,27 cm and the average weight range between 0,79 ± 0,14 g were stocked as predators. Non-trangenic African catfish had better predator avoidance than transgenic African catfish. There was no significant difference in growth performance between transgenic and non-transgenic African catfish in aquarium without supplemental feeding. This findings indicate that transgenic African catfish could be used for commercial aquaculture without affecting the natural environment because the increased susceptibility of transgenic African catfish to predators would most likely decrease or eliminate the transgenic genotype.