Parasitic metazoans infesting cantang groupers from floating net cages in situbondwaters, east java, Indonesia

Most of the cantang grouper (Ephinepelus fuscoguttatus x E. lanceolatus) cultivation is conducted in floating net cages, which can predispose to infectious diseases, including parasitic disease. Aim of this study was to identify the parasites in cantang groupers cultivated on floating net cages in Situbondo waters. One hundred and twenty cantang groupers measuring 12.59 ± 1.93 cm were collected from three floating net cages in Situbondo waters. Samples were observed for ectoparasites from skin, fins and gills; and for endoparasites in gastrointestinal tracts of the fish. The result showed twelve (10%) of the fish were infested with Neobenedenia girellae. The sites of infection were skin, eye, head and fins. Besides this, intestine of one fish (0.83%) was found infected with Anisakis typica. Our finding is the first report of metazoan parasite infection in cantang grouper cultured in Java Sea, especially in Situbondo waters. Moreover, cantang grouper is one of popular fishes consumed by humans and consumption of undercooked fishes could lead to zoonotic infection with Anisakis. Therefore, further studies are needed to map the distribution of parasites in cantang groupers.