Masculinization of Giant Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) Larvae Using 17α Methyltestosterone Enrichment via Artemia Encapsulation

Zidan Alaikassalam (Aquaculture Study Program, Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Gedung A4, Jl. Flora, Bulaksumur, Caturtunggal, Depok, Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta 55281)
Lenggang Mamitu Krisdahasti (Unit Kerja Budidaya Air Payau (UK BAP) Samas, Balai Pengembangan Teknologi Perikanan Budidaya (BPTPB), Dinas Kelautan dan Perikanan DIY, Dusun Samas, Kalurahan Srigading, Kapanewon Sanden, Kabupaten Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55763)
Arga Kurniawan (Unit Kerja Budidaya Air Payau (UK BAP) Samas, Balai Pengembangan Teknologi Perikanan Budidaya (BPTPB), Dinas Kelautan dan Perikanan DIY, Dusun Samas, Kalurahan Srigading, Kapanewon Sanden, Kabupaten Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55763)
Fathiyya Riyana Murti (Aquaculture Study Program, Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Gedung A4, Jl. Flora, Bulaksumur, Caturtunggal, Depok, Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta 55281)
Dini Wahyu Kartika Sari (Aquaculture Study Program, Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Gedung A4, Jl. Flora, Bulaksumur, Caturtunggal, Depok, Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta 55281)

Journal of Aquaculture and Fish Health
Vol. 15 No. 3 (2026): JAFH Vol 15 No 3 September 2026

The giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) is an economically valuable species native to Indonesia, notable for its sexual dimorphism where males outgrow females in both biomass and meat yield. Sex reversal utilizing 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) offers a viable strategy to enhance male production. This study evaluated the masculinization effects of feeding MT-enriched Artemia to larvae at different developmental stages: zoea 1–4 (P1), zoea 5–8 (P2), and zoea 9–10 (P3), using a hormone concentration of 80 mg/L. Results indicated that MT administration did not significantly affect larval or post-larval survival rates. However, all treatment groups exhibited a significantly higher percentage of males compared to the control group, with no significant differences observed among the treatments themselves. In conclusion, feeding larvae an 80 mg/L dose of 17α-methyltestosterone encapsulated in Artemia is an effective method for enhancing male production in M. rosenbergii aquaculture.