Aquatic Life Sciences

Karl Cirilson Ellema Angulo

Coastal ecosystems support high levels of marine biodiversity and provide essential services, including shoreline protection, carbon sequestration, and fisheries production. Silot Bay, Liloan, Cebu, Philippines, is an ecologically and socio-economically important embayment; however, biodiversity assessments in the area remain sparse and temporally fragmented. This study presents a narrative review with structured literature search elements to synthesize available ecological studies on major taxonomic groups, including mangroves, fish, meiofauna, and algae, and to evaluate methodological consistency among studies retrieved from Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Philippine E-Journals, and institutional repositories from local universities. A total of nine studies met the inclusion criteria, the majority of which were conducted prior to 2000, with post-2000 research limited to a single study on algal communities. Substantial variation in sampling methods, effort, spatial coverage, and taxonomic resolution constrains direct comparison across studies and limits interpretation of temporal patterns. Differences in reported species richness and community composition are evident across taxa; however, these patterns cannot be confidently attributed to ecological change due to methodological inconsistencies and limited data availability. The small number of studies and reliance on partially inaccessible historical data further restrict the establishment of a reliable biodiversity baseline for Silot Bay. Overall, this review highlights significant knowledge gaps and emphasizes the need for standardized, multi-taxa biodiversity assessments to support long-term monitoring and evidence-based coastal management.

Aquatic Life Sciences

Nur Afidatul Himma

Parasitic infections in marine fish pose economic and public health risks, particularly when zoonotic species are involved. Ribbonfish (Trichiurus lepturus), a commercially important species in Indonesia, is highly susceptible to endoparasites that may reduce fish quality and threaten human consumers. This study aimed to identify the types, prevalence, and intensity of endoparasites infecting ribbonfish landed at Paciran (Lamongan) and Tamperan (Pacitan). A total of 56 fish samples were examined through necropsy and microscopic observation of internal organs. Two nematode species, Anisakis sp. and Camallanus sp., were detected in the intestine, stomach, and muscle tissues. Prevalence was 0.2% at Paciran and 0.4% at Tamperan, while intensity reached 1.3 and 1.9 ind/individual, respectively. Infected fish were typically larger, with body weights ranging from 100–400 g and lengths of 60–80 cm, and often contained undigested small fish and crustaceans that may serve as intermediate hosts. Although infection levels were classified as low, the detection of zoonotic Anisakis sp. underscores the need for continued monitoring to prevent potential health risks and safeguard fishery resources.

Aquatic Life Sciences

Muhammad Yusron, Diana Maulianawati

Shrimp aquaculture faces recurrent challenges from Vibrio spp., opportunistic pathogens that threaten production sustainability, particularly in traditional farming systems with limited management inputs. Although Vibrio levels in traditional ponds are generally assumed to remain below pathogenic thresholds, information on their persistence and relationship with water quality remains limited. This study aimed to isolate and quantify Vibrio spp. in traditional shrimp ponds in Tarakan, Indonesia, and evaluate their relationship with key water quality parameters. Water samples were collected biweekly from week 0 to week 10 at three stations in each of two ponds. Vibrio spp. were isolated using Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Salt Sucrose Agar (TCBSA), and Total Vibrio Counts (TVC) were expressed as CFU/mL. Physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen) were measured concurrently. Vibrio colonies were consistently detected throughout the culture period, ranging from 1.5 × 10¹ to 2.6 × 10³ CFU/mL in Pond 1 and 2.4 × 10¹ to 1.2 × 10³ CFU/mL in Pond 2, remaining below the pathogenic threshold (1 × 10⁴ CFU/mL). Water quality remained within optimal ranges. Pearson correlation analysis showed weak, non-significant relationships between Vibrio abundance and environmental variables. These findings indicate that Vibrio persistence in traditional shrimp ponds may be influenced by factors beyond physicochemical water quality, highlighting the importance of continuous monitoring to support disease prevention and biosecurity management.

Aquatic Life Sciences

Muh Yusril AL Tulus, Diana Maulianawati

Shrimp aquaculture depends on stable water quality, but fluctuations often reduce growth and survival, making optimal conditions essential for sustainable Penaeus monodon culture. This study aimed to evaluate key water quality parameters in two shrimp ponds and assess their suitability against established aquaculture standards. Field measurements and laboratory analyses were conducted over ten weeks across three sampling stations in each pond. Parameters measured included pH, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, phosphate, and water hardness. Results showed that pH ranged from 7.29–7.80, temperature from 31.40–32.00 °C, salinity from 17.30–17.88 ppt, and DO from 5.29–5.87 mg/L, all within acceptable limits (SNI 8038.1: 2014). Nutrient concentrations varied, with nitrate (0–0.4 mg/L), nitrite (0–0.4 mg/L), ammonia (0.1–0.4 mg/L), and phosphate (0–0.5 mg/L), where ammonia occasionally exceeded the safe threshold of 0.1 mg/L. Water hardness ranged from 0.17–0.43 mg/L CaCO₃, below the reference limit of 100 mg/L CaCO₃. Overall, the ponds provided suitable conditions for shrimp growth, but elevated nutrient levels at certain periods indicate the need for improved feed and waste management. Maintaining balanced water quality is essential to optimizing shrimp health, enhancing productivity, and ensuring the sustainability of aquaculture practices.

Aquatic Life Sciences

Zahrina Hibatul Azizah

Bacterial infections caused by Aeromonas hydrophila are a major problem in freshwater aquaculture, often leading to high mortality and economic losses. Plant-based alternatives are needed to reduce dependence on synthetic antibiotics and mitigate antimicrobial resistance. This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of Crinum asiaticum leaf extract against A. hydrophila infection in juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio; 7–9 cm, ±80 g). Fish were immersed in extract solutions at concentrations of 20 mL (P1), 40 mL (P2), and 60 mL (P3) per 36 L of water for a single 45-minute treatment. The experiment followed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three treatments and three replicates. Clinical signs, feeding response, startle reflex, survival rate, and water quality were monitored for 14 days. More than half of the infected fish developed dropsy, exophthalmia, and hemorrhages within 72 hours. Fish treated with 20 mL extract recovered fastest, achieving complete lesion resolution and a 90% survival rate. In contrast, P2 and P3 showed prolonged symptoms and only 10% survival, likely due to physiological stress and mild toxicity caused by higher concentrations that may irritate gill tissues. Water quality remained within optimal ranges throughout the trial. The superior therapeutic performance of the 20 mL concentration is likely attributable to the synergistic action of alkaloids and flavonoids at moderate levels, which enhance antimicrobial activity without inducing stress. These findings indicate that 20 mL is the most effective and safest concentration for immersion therapy, reinforcing the potential of C. asiaticum as a natural treatment for sustainable freshwater aquaculture.

Aquatic Life Sciences