Diversity, potentiality, and conservation status of fish fauna in the upper Mahakam’s tributaries, East Kalimantan

Abstract

Diversity, potentiality and conservation status of fish fauna in upper Mahakam’s tributaries of east Kalimantan is unknown. The purposes of this study were to analysis species diversity, determine potentiality and conservation status of fish fauna in upper Mahakam’s tributaries, east Kalimantan. Fish sampling with purposive method was conducted in four tributaries, i.e Tepai River, Pahangai River, Danum Parai River, and Meraseh River for one month. Fishes were collected by several gears type. The results of this research showed that the total number of fish caught was 820 individuals; consist of 26 species, 7 families, and 4 orders. The Cyprinidae was the most dominant family found in all tributaries. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index in four tributaries were varied and ranging from 1.749-2.087. The highest fish diversity was recorded at Maraseh River followed by Pahangai River, Danum Parai River, and Tepai River. The low fish diversity was discovered at Tepai River may be due to differences in substrate type, water velocity, and water depth as compared to the Maraseh River, Pahangai River, Danum Parai River. The fish species similarity coefficient between four tributaries ranged from 0.606-0.842 and the highest dissimilarity was found between Tepai River and Danum Parai River. Almost all fishes categorized as edible fish for local consumption. Syncrossus hymenophysa and Gastromyzon lepidogaster have potential as ornamental fish. Regarding IUCN red list status, six fish species were grouped into least concern status, two species as data deficient, one species as near threatened, one species as endangered species and 16 other species were not on the list.