Enzyme Digestive Activities During Ontogeny in Marosatherina ladigesi Larvae.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Marosatherina ladigesi, including native fish in South Sulawesi Indonesia, are vulnerable and must be preserved. The objective of the study was to examine known food consumption, survival, growth and the activities of digestive enzymes of M. ladigesi larvae.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The larvae were obtained from natural spawning and the mixed live feed: Infusoria sp., Daphnia sp. and Artemia salina were given twice a day. Feed intake, growth, survival, activities of protease, lipase and amylase enzymes were observed in ages 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 Days after Hatching (DAH). Data were analyzed by following a complete randomized trial design.

RESULTS

Activities of protease, amylase and lipase enzymes have been detected since 3 DAH. The protease enzyme activity was obtained at 0.438 U mL min-1 at 35 DAH, while amylase and lipase activities fluctuated. Activities of amylase and lipase reached 0105 and 0.093 U mL-1 min-1 at 15 DAH, respectively. The activity of the enzyme increased at the same age of 10-15 DAH larvae entering a phase of flexion.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that the use of mixed live feed Infusoria sp., Daphnia sp. and A. salina contribute to enzyme protease, lipase and amylase activities during the ontogeny stages of M. ladigesi. The highest activity of protease suggests that the fish have carnivorous feeding habits. The results of this study can be used to improve the maintenance technique of M. ladigesi larvae in order to accelerate growth and improve survival as an effort to increase the production of M. ladigesi.