| Universiti Putra Malaysia

UPM produces special Kelah feed to reduce breeding period

By: Nurul Ezzaty Mohd Azhari
Photo: Md Nasir Hussin

SERDANG, April 17 - Researchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) have successfully developed a special feed formulation for the Kelah fish that can help farmers and entrepreneurs to shorten the duration of fish farming.

The Red Kelah, also known as Raja Sungai or Empurau among the people of Sarawak, can reach a market price of between RM 800 to RM 1,200 per kilogram. This makes it the most preferred fish among farmers and breeders today.

The Head Researcher, Prof. Dr. Mohd Salleh Kamarudin from the Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, UPM, stated that the TropiCarp™ Premium Mahseer Feed technology is the first specialised feed for Kelah in Malaysia. It is produced after researching its nutritional requirements using appropriate and good ingredients.

"The TropiCarp™ Premium Mahseer Feed is developed according to the nutritional requirements for the three stages of the Red Kelah’s growth: fingerling, rearing, and fattening. The nutrients not only provide high and optimal growth for the Kelah fish, but also, reduce their harvest time."

"Typically, the Kelah fish takes around three to four years to reach one kilogram in size. However, the use of TropiCarp™ Premium Mahseer Feed shortens the breeding period to one year and five months and the kelah grows to one kilogram within the tank.”

"The TropiCarp technology does not contain any prohibited substances, and the manufacturer complies with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and food safety management system (HACCP)," he said.

In addition to Red Kelah or Empurau, TropiCarp™ Premium Mahseer Feed is also suitable for other fish species such as the Blue Kelah, Tengadak, Jelawat, Temoleh, Kerai Kunyit, Tenggalan, and Sebarau.

Also, the TropiCarp technology is designed to prevent water contamination in tanks or aquariums as the feed floats on the water surface, to allow farmers to monitor the quality and quantity of fish. – UPM

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