Growth and survival of Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni Koumans 1933) reared using urchin-like artificial microhabitat with different ^spine^ materials Samliok Ndobe, Mohammad Salim Manabanti, Devi Elvina Sari, Nasmia, Muhammad Safir, Novalina Serdiati, Fadly Y. Tantu
Fisheries and Marine Department, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Universitas Tadulako, Palu, Indonesia
Abstract
The Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni Koumans, 1933) is an ornamental fish with an endemic distribution in the Banggai Archipelago and nearby small islands. One of the 20 Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries conservation priority species, sustainable management initiatives include reducing fishing pressure on wild P. kauderni populations and optimising both in situ and ex-situ breeding. This study continued previous ex-situ research on artificial microhabitat for rearing P. kauderni in captivity by comparing the relative effectiveness of urchin-like artificial microhabitat with ^spines^ made from different materials in terms of P. kauderni growth and survival. Experimental fish collected from the Palu Bay introduced population comprised 48 P. kauderni juveniles with initial standard length 2-2.5 cm and weight 0.06-022 g. The fish were reared for one month in the Aquatic Biology Laboratory, Fisheries and Marine Department, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Universitas Tadulako, Palu. The experimental design included four treatments (microhabitat material: A. cable ties- B. bamboo slivers- C. palm leaf rachis- D. palm fibre/coir) with four replicates and three fish per experimental unit (aquarium). The ^spine^ material had a significant effect on net weight gain but not on net increase in length. Weight gain and survival rate were highest under treatment D (cable tie ^spines^).
