JOGJAKARTA (KU) –Bacterial diseases are the diseases that became the main factor that makes fishery industry failed. One of the very dangerous bacterial diseases in giant gourami is mycobacteriosis caused by Mycobacterium sp. In Indonesia, mycobacteriosis in fish amounts to 30-60 per cent.
“Mycobacteriosis is a chronic disease in fish. The infection caused the failure of fishery industry by 30-60 per cent, as the fish affected will die,” Head of Marine Exploration Agency of Batam, Drs. Djumbuh Rukmono, M.P., in his promotional doctoral exam in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, on Wednesday (4/8). His promoter is Prof. drh. Wasito, M.Sc., Ph.D.,. co-promoters Prof. drh. Hastari Wuryastuti, M.Sc., Ph.D., and Drh. Sitarina Widyarini, MP., Ph.D.
The characteristics of fish already infected by the bacteria is the pale colour, swollen abdomen and protruding eyes, reduced appetite and slow motion and skin bruises. “The most striking feature is its protruding eyes, damaged fins and bruised skin,” said the man born in Banyumas on 11 November 1957.
Despite the unavailability of mycobacteriosis drugs early detection will help treatment. “Those infected should be removed to a better tank so that they will not feel stressed and be refreshed, helping its recovery,” said Rukmono who passed cumlaude.
His research showed that rapid and accurate detection of mycobacteriosis in Giant gourami can use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test as it is accurate enough for mycobacteriosis. “In two days results can be obtained. Until now handling of Mycobacterium sp epidemics in this fish is always late because we had to wait for the identification of micro-organism causing it,” he explained.
Giant Gourami is known as one of top fishery commodities and revitalisation of fishery. It is one of priorities of fresh water culture. Because the technology has been understood, and it is a market oriented commodity domestically and abroad, recruiting workers for massive work. Regions that produce gouramis in Indonesia Central Java, East Java, West Java, Yogyakarta, West Sumatera, North Sumatera and North Sulawesi