Terminalia catappa improves growth performance and survival of the Amazon leaf fish ( Monocirrhus polyacanthus ) larvae submitted to handling stress

Abstract

The almond Terminalia catappa leaf extract has been used to prevent diseases and improve breeding in various fishes; however, their effects on the leaf fish Monocirrhus polyacanthus larviculture are unknown. We evaluated the effect of almond leaf extract on growth performance and survival of leaf fish larvae submitted to handling stress. Five concentrations of aqueous extract of almond leaf (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25 g/L) were evaluated with five replicates. Leaf fish larvae (15 larvae/L 0.1 cm and 0.001 g) were fed 100 Artemia nauplii per larvae twice a day along 15 days and then submitted to handling stress of total water exchange and T. catappa extract replacement. Untreated fish were used as control. The stressful management caused lower survival rate for larvae in the control group (22.2Â ± 3.14%, p < .05). The best weight gain (5.70Â ± 0.20 g), specific growth rate (10.80Â ± 0.24%/day), length (0.31Â ± 0.17 cm) and survival (100.00Â ± 0.00%) were obtained with 0.75 g/L T. catappa (p < .05). The water quality parameters (pH and total ammonia) showed increased values for the higher concentrations of aqueous extract. The use aqueous leaf extract of T. catappa reduces mortality and improves growth performance of leaf fish larvae. It is suggested the use of T. catappa as a growth promoter for leaf fish larvae.