Sains Malaysiana 42(8)(2013): 1115–1119

Condition Factors of Two Archerfish Species from Johor Coastal Waters, Malaysia

(Faktor Keadaan bagi Dua Spesies Ikan Sumpit dari Pesisir Pantai Johor, Malaysia)

K.D. Simon^*, A.G. Mazlan & Z.C. Cob

School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor D.E., Malaysia

Received: 12 June 2012 /Accepted: 25 January 2013

ABSTRACT

Archerfishes Toxotes chatareus (Hamilton 1822) and Toxotes jaculatrix (Pallas 1767) inhabits mangrove estuaries, which are a critically important habitat as a spawning and nursery ground as well as the full life cycle of many fish species. In order to manage and conserve resilience fish species like the archerfish, we need to know some basic parameters about their biology and life history. Our research has focused on understanding the annual condition factors of these two species of archerfishes, as a complimentary to other several biological aspects of this two species that have been published. Our results indicated that, both species are in good conditions as the mean values of condition factors (Fulton condition factor K and Relative condition factor Kn) are greater than values of unity (K, Kn >1). The average K and Kn values of  T. chatareus and T. jaculatrix were lowest in November and highest in September, which indicates the spawning and recovery condition of the fishes. Condition factors measure overall fish population health that can be used by fisheries biologists and resource managers in proper management of fish resources in Malaysia waters.

Keywords: Brackish water; conservation; growth; mangrove; Toxotidae

ABSTRAK

Ikan sumpit Toxotes chatareus (Hamilton 1822) dan Toxotes jaculatrix (Pallas 1767) mendiami muara paya bakau yang merupakan habitat yang amat penting sebagai tapak peneluran dan asuhan serta kitaran hidup penuh bagi kebanyakan spesies ikan. Bagi mengurus dan memulihara spesies ikan berdaya tahan seperti ikan sumpit, kita perlu mengetahui beberapa parameter asas mengenai biologi dan sejarah hidup mereka. Penyelidikan ini telah memberi tumpuan kepada memahami faktor keadaan tahunan bagi kedua-dua spesies ikan sumpit, sebagai pelengkap kepada beberapa aspek biologi bagi dua spesies ini yang telah diterbitkan. Hasil kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa kedua-dua spesies adalah dalam keadaan yang baik seperti nilai min faktor keadaan (faktor kondisi Fulton K dan faktor keadaan Relatif Kn) adalah lebih besar daripada nilai perpaduan (K, Kn >1). Nilai purata K dan Kn bagi T. chatareus dan T. jaculatrix adalah terendah pada November manakala tertinggi pada September, yang menunjukkan keadaan peneluran dan pemulihan bagi ikan tersebut. Pengiraan faktor kondisi dalam kajian ini menerangkan keadaan kesihatan populasi ikan secara umum dari sesuatu habitat. Hasil penemuan ini boleh diguna pakai dalam penganggaran status sumber perikanan oleh ahli biologi ikan serta pengurus sumber perikanan di Malaysia.

Kata kunci: Air payau; memulihara; paya bakau; Toksotidae; tumbesaran

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*Corresponding author; email: simon@ukm.my