Utilization of Snakehead Fish (Channa striata) Mucus to Combat Vibrio alginolyticus Infection in Whiteleg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) Fry

Abstract

Whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is a high-value export commodity whose production is threatened by disease outbreaks. This study evaluated the effectiveness of snakehead fish (Channa striata) mucus extract against Vibrio alginolyticus in whiteleg shrimp fry, both in vitro and in vivo. An experimental method with a completely randomized design was used, consisting of three treatment levels: A, 0% extract dose (control); B, 5% extract dose; and C, 10% extract dose. The results showed that the 10% extract dose significantly increased the survival rate (SR) to 70%, compared to 45.83% in the infected control, alongside the highest Total Hemocyte Count (12.91 × 10^6 cells/mL). The Differential Hemocyte Count (DHC) revealed hyaline cells at 12.34%, semi-granular cells at 47.76%, and granular cells at 39.88%. These results indicate that dietary supplementation with snakehead fish mucus extract can enhance the immune response and survival of shrimp fry, presenting a promising natural alternative for managing vibriosis in aquaculture.