Effect of Using Different Shelter and Feed Types on Growth and Survival Rate of Sulawesi Endemic Ornamental Shrimps (Caridina dennerli)

White Spot Sulawesi ornamental shrimp (Caridina dennerli) is an endemic species from Lake Matano, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. This shrimp, known for its distinctive pattern and beautiful color, is highly sought by ornamental shrimp enthusiasts as a premium collection. However, its distribution still relies on wild-caught specimens by hunters in Lake Matano, placing it on the IUCN Red List (2018) as an A2e (Critical) species. The development of ex-situ breeding of C. dennerli is expected to reduce over-exploitation in its natural habitat. This study aims to observe the effects of different feeds (commercial pellets and biofilm) and shelter types (stone and Hydrilla) on the growth in total length, total weight, and survival rate in controlled breeding of C. dennerli. The study was conducted at the Fish Seed Center of Gorontalo City from November to December 2024 using a descriptive qualitative method with descriptive statistical analysis. The results showed that the S2A2 treatment (commercial pellets and Hydrilla) produced the highest average growth of 0.119 cm and survival rate of 72.727%, although no effect was observed on total weight. The controlled breeding habitat had a pH range of 7.94-9.13, temperature of 26.4-28.7°C, TDS of 203-296 ppm, ammonia 0 mg/L, nitrite 0 mg/L, nitrate 0-30 mg/L, phosphate 0-3 mg/L, and DO of 6-8.6 mg/L. This is the first report on the growth and survival performance of C. dennerli in a controlled environment. Keywords: Endemic Ornamental Shrimp; Caridina dennerli; Controlled Breeding; Shelter and Feed Types; Shrimp Survival Rate. Abstrak Udang hias White Spot Sulawesi (Caridina dennerli) merupakan salah satu spesies endemik dari Danau Matano, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia. Udang ini memiliki corak khas yang indah, banyak disukai penggemar udang hias sebagai koleksi premium. Namun, peredarannya masih bergantung pada tangkapan alam oleh para pemburu, hingga membuatnya masuk dalam daftar merah IUCN (2018) sebagai spesies A2e (Kritis). Pengembangan budidaya ex situ C. dennerli diharapkan dapat mengurangi eksploitasi dihabitat aslinya. Penelitian bertujuan mengamati pengaruh jenis pakan (pelet komersil dan biofilm) dan shelter (batu dan Hydrilla) berbeda terhadap pertumbuhan panjang mutlak, bobot mutlak dan tingkat kelangsungan hidup pada budidaya terkontrol C. dennerli. Penelitian dilakukan di Balai Benih Ikan Kota Gorontalo pada November hingga Desember 2024 menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif dengan analisis statistik deskriptif. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa C. dennerli pada perlakuan S2A2 (pelet komersil dan Hydrilla) memberikan hasil terbaik, dengan pertumbuhan panjang rata-rata 0,119 cm dan kelangsungan hidup 72,727%, meskipun tidak ada pengaruh terhadap bobot mutlak. Habitat budidaya terkontrol memiliki kisaran pH 7.94-9.13; suhu 26.4-28.7°C; TDS 203-296 ppm; amonia 0 mg/L; nitrit 0 mg/L; nitrat 0-30 mg/L; phosphat 0-3 mg/L dan DO 6-8.6 mg/L. Penelitian ini merupakan laporan pertama tentang performa pertumbuhan dan kelangsungan hidup C. dennerli di lingkungan terkontrol. Kata kunci: Udang Hias Endemik; Caridina dennerli; Budidaya Terkontrol; Jenis Shelter dan Pakan; Kelangsungan Hidup Udang.