The effect of soaking duration in java cherry (Muntingia calabura) leaf extract on the hatching rate and survival of gourami (Osphronemus gouramy) larvae infected with Saprolegnia sp.

Abstract

Gouramy fish is a high-value aquaculture commodity with substantial market demand and notable environmental adaptability. A primary challenge in its cultivation is the significant mortality rate of eggs and larvae, largely due to fungal infections caused by Saprelognia sp., leading to Saprolegniasis. This infection is a key factor in reducing egg hatching rate (HR) and larval survival rate (SR). This study investigated the efficacy of cherry leaf (Muntingia calabura) extract, known for its antifungal properties, in mitigating this issue. The objective was to analyze the effect of different immersion durations in the extract on the HR and SR of gouramy larvae artificially infected with Saprolognia sp. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was employed with four treatments and three replications: A (0 minute), B (8 minute), C (12 minute), and D (16 minute). The observed parameters included fungal prevalence, HR, SR, and water quality. The results demonstrated that immersion in cherry leaf extract significantly (p<0.05) suppressed fungal prevalence and enhanced both HR and SR. The most effective treatment was the 12-minute immersion (Treatment C), which yielded the lowest fungal prevalence (17.78%), the highest HR (82.22%), and the highest SR (90.61%), while water quality parameters remained within the optimal range throughout the study. It is concluded that cherry leaf extract is an effective natural antifungal agent and is recommended for application on gouramy eggs with an immersion duration of 12 minutes.