The Prevention of Aeromonas hydrophila on Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fingerling using Current Generating Circular Tanks

This research focused on determining the best survival performance of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)) fingerlings in a current generating circular tanks and challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila. This research used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments and four replications. Fish size are ranging from 5 to 7 cm that obtained from Fish Breeding Center of Bandung City, Indonesia. The treatment used are water current and venturi combination with water velocities of 0 m s-1 (A), 0.06 m s-1 (B), 0.1 m s-1 (C), and 0.2 m s-1 (D). The research started with fish rearing (40 days) and was followed by a challenged test (14 days). Tilapia fingerlings were challenged by A. hydrophila at density 108 cfu ml-1 using immersion method. The parameters were gross clinical symptoms, survival rate, red blood cells, white blood cells and water quality. The results showed that current and venturi combination of 0.1 m s-1 gave the best immune performance seen from the increase in red blood cells and white blood cells with 48% of survival rate, however survival rate was not significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) among treatments. The increase in red blood cells and white blood cells was from 1.1 × 106 cells mm3-1 to 5.1 × 106 cells mm3-1 and 4.2 × 105 cells mm3-1 to 5.6 × 105 cells mm3-1 respectively. Current generating circular tanks also enhanced tilapia immune system against A. hydrophila infection since fewer clinical symptoms occurred during challenged period.