The Effectiveness of LED Light Spectrum Exposure on Gonad Maturation of Male Synodontis (Synodontis sp.)

¹ Research Institute for Ornamental Fish Culture, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia
² Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, IPB University, Indonesia
³ National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: agusom@apps.ipb.ac.id

Abstract

This study assesses the impact of the LED light spectrum on the reproductive development of male synodontis (Synodontis sp.) broods. Male synodontis were subjected to four distinct LED light spectra, namely: white, blue, green, and red, each continuously for 120 days of rearing. This experimental study used a completely randomized design, with four treatments and five individual fish replications per treatment. The gonadosomatic index (GSI), sperm quality (volume, density, and motility), testosterone levels, and testicular histology were analyzed. After 120 days, the blue LED light showed the best GSI and sperm quality. Testosterone hormone levels fluctuate in each treatment, with blue, red, and green LEDs having four peak treatments on days 12, 48, 60, 84, and 108, while white (control) light bulbs have two peak hormone level on days 12 and 60. Furthermore, fish that were exposed to blue LED light had more testicular cells growing and more spermatozoa spread out than fish that were exposed to red, green, or white LED light. Thus, this research demonstrates that blue light effectively accelerates gonad maturation in male synodontis.