Effect of Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) on White Spot Disease in Striped Catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus Nelson, 1994)

Abstract

Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) is widely used as a drug to treat and control diseases in fishery, especially the larvae of Striped Catfish that are always infected with white spot disease. This study aimed to compare the effects of the different treatment techniques of acute toxicity of Curcuma on Striped Catfish larvae. The average weight of the individual larvae of Striped Catfish is 1.26 g with an average length of 5.54 cm. Results showed that 50% of Striped Catfish larvae died after 96 h of exposure to Curcuma acute toxicity of LC₅₀ (lethal concentration 50) = 80 ppm. The survival rates of the infected larvae treated with Curcuma within 7 days vary according to the treatment technique employed. Chilling techniques has the highest survival rate of 93.33% followed by the immersion technique with 83.33% and then 80.00% by mixing the treatment with the feeds. Whereas, the control group (not treated with Curcuma) has the lowest survival rate of 66.67%. Statistical analysis of variance revealed that the differences in the survival rates are non- significant (P>0.05). Further, physico-chemical parameters of water culture before and after experiments are maintained within the range suitable for the existence of Striped Catfish larvae such: temperature of 24-25^oC, dissolved oxygen (DO) of 4.5-7.5 mg/l, and pH of 7.2-7.5.