Effect of carica papaya leaf extract toward hatching and survival rate of nilem fish (Osteochilus hasselti) larvae

Aquaculture Department, Marine and Fisheries Faculty, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia.

^* Corresponding author: cutnuzlia@usk.ac.id

Abstract

One of the problems in nilem fish (Osteochilus hasselti) harvesting is the unfulfilled availability of seed that is caused by low hatchability of eggs and larvae survival as well as high larvae abnormalities due to attacks by microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. Papaya leaf was known as one alternative to increase the egg’s hatching rate because it has antifungal and antibacterial bioactive compounds. This study aimed to determine the effect of papaya leaf extract on egg hatchability, larvae abnormalities, and larvae survival. This study used an experimental method using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 4 repetitions. The treatment doses of the papaya leaf extract that were tested were control (A), 0.75 mg/L (B), 1 mg/L (C), and 1.25 mg/L (D). The results showed that the addition of papaya leaf extract had a significant effect (P<0.05) on egg hatchability, larvae abnormalities, and survival rate of Osteochilus hasselti larvae. The hatching rate results for each treatment were 76.50% (A), 79.50% (B), 83.50% (C), and 87.25% (D). The results of larvae abnormalities showed 9.16% (A), 7.24% (B), 5.09% (C), and 4.30% (D). Meanwhile, the results of larvae survival showed 73.87% (A), 76.13% (B), 77.25% (C), and 80.55% (D). Treatment D (1.25 mg/L) was the best treatment in this study, resulting in egg hatchability of 87.25%, larvae abnormality of 4.30%, and larvae survival of 80.55%.