Some aspects of reproductive biology of the Indonesian predatory catfish (Wallagonia leerii Bleeker, 1851) in Sebangau River Central Kalimantan

Abstract

Tapah fish (Wallagonia leerii) is one of the economically valuable and popular fish species because its large size and makes it the main target for fishing in the Sebangau River. It is feared that excessive exploitation of these fish can cause a decline and threaten the sustainability of tapah fish, which up to now still depend on nature. This research aimed to describe the reproductive biology of tapah fish related to sex ratio, gonad maturity, gonado-somato index, and fecundity. Ninety-six fish samples were collected using a fishing trap and seine net for three months at five sampling sites in Sebangau River. The results showed that the sex ratio of male and female for all samples were 1:0.9 and the Chi-square test with a 95% confidence interval showed approaching to 1:1 ratio. The GSI value of male and female ranged from 0.110%-0.522% and 0.112%-0.651%. The spawning times were recorded from December to January. The total fecundity of 11 females ranged from 2 976 to 155 501 eggs, with an average of 43 334 eggs.