STUDY OF POPULATION AND MICROHABITAT OF THE BANGGAI CARDINALFISH (Pterapogon Kauderni) IN BILALANG BAY, UWEDIKAN VILLAGE, LUWUK TIMUR SUB DISTRICT, BANGGAI REGENCY
Samsu Adi Rahman*1), Herdiyanto Djiada1), Mohammad Safir2), Achmad Suhermanto3), Mohammad Syakir4)

1Program Study of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, University of Muhammadiyah Luwuk, Luwuk, Indonesia- 2Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Tadulako University- Palu, Indonesia- 3Karawang Maritime and Fisheries Polytechnic, Karawang, Indonesia, 4JOB Pertamina-Medco E&P Tomori Sulawesi, Jakarta, Indonesia. *Corresponding author: Samsu Adi Rahman, jcbanggai[at]gmail.com

Abstract

The banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) is an endemic fish in the Banggai waters which has a beautiful body shape and color. This fish has experienced a population decline caused by over-exploitation and reduced microhabitat which correlates with the banggai cardinalfish population. This study aims to determine the population of the banggai cardinalfish and their microhabitat in Bilalang Bay, Uwekan Village, Luwuk Timur Sub District, Banggai Regency. The research was conducted from January to February 2023 in Bilalang Bay, Uwekan Village, Luwuk Timur Sub District, Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi. Retrieval of research data using the Underwater Visual Survey (UVS) method using a transect belt measuring 20mx5m (2.5m left and right of the transect rope). Observations made included recruits (<25 mm) Total Length, juveniles (25-60 mm), and adults (>60 mm). The results of observing the density of the banggai cardinalfish differed based on the five observation sites, the highest density of the banggai cardinalfish at the recruit, juvenile, and adult stages was in location II, while the highest population based on its size was the adult size. The recruiting stage of the banggai cardinalfish is only found in locations I, II, and III, with the microhabitat only being found in sea urchins and anemones.

Keywords: Banggai cardinalfish, Bilalang Bay, Endemic, microhabitat, population, Uwedikan Village

Topic: Aquatic Biodiversity