POTENTIAL of Caulerpa lentillifera EXTRACT IN ENHANCING HEMOCYTE AND GROWTH BOOSTER IN SPINY LOBSTER (PANULIRUS HOMARUS)

Challenges faced by lobster farmers in Indonesia include the high mortality rate of lobster larvae and the lengthy cultivation period. In previous studies, we successfully enhanced the immune system and growth of fish and shrimp using Caulerpa lentillifera extract. This study aims to analyze the effects of Caulerpa lentillifera extract on survival rate, growth, and immune system in Panulirus homarus larvae. The research method was experimental, using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with treatments: control, Treatment 1 (10 gr/kg), and Treatment 2 (20 gr/kg), each with three replications over one month. The parameters observed were survival rate, growth rate, specific growth rate, total hemocyte count, and differential hemocyte count. The results indicated that Caulerpa lentillifera extract successfully improved survival rate and growth, as evidenced by increased survival rate, growth rate, specific growth rate, and an interesting food conversion ratio of around 1, with the best results in Treatment 2. Furthermore, Caulerpa lentillifera extract enhanced the immune system by increasing total hemocyte count and differential leukocytes (granulocytes, semi-granulocytes, and hyaline cells), with the highest values observed in Treatment 2.