First Report of Argulus Ectoparasite from Koto Panjang Reservoir, Indonesia

Carp cultivation has been going on for a long time in the Koto Panjang Reservoir and the type of Argulus ectoparasite in this fish culture has not been reported. This initial research study aims to identify the morphology and characterize the DNA of the Argulus species in this reservoir. This research can be used as initial information material for the management of aquaculture fish health and early warning against water quality degradation. Argulus surveys were carried out on carp parent cages with coordinate positions 0°16′46.7” North and 100°51”26.2” East. Argulus specimens were collected from live and dead carp bodies (body surface, gills, operculum, caudal fin, pectoral fin, anal fin, pelvic fin, base of tail, and abdomen) using a spatula and stored in 96% ethanol for identification using standard literature and DNA barcoding techniques. The research results obtained 115 specimens of the genus Argulus from 49 live goldfish (2800-4900 mm and 200-1800 g) and 3 goldfish that died ± 3-4 days which were characterized by white gills and white mucus lumps between the scales. DNA characterization revealed that the name of this fish lice species (Argulus) could not be determined and had a close relationship with Argulus japonicus Shizuoka-2019 with an identity value of 79.22%.