Reproductive biology of hampala barb (Hampala macrolepidota Kuhl & Van Hasselt 1823) in Ranau Lake, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract One of the economically valuable consumption fish in Ranau Lake is the hampala barb (Hampala macrolepidota). Hampala barb is the top predator in Ranau Lake. The fish population is still quite a lot, but it is starting to decline. This study aimed to determine the reproductive biology of hampala barb in Ranau Lake. Ranau Lake is located in South Sumatra Province and Lampung Province, Indonesia. The research was conducted by the inventory survey method and laboratory analysis. Fish samples were obtained from fisher’s catch, where the fish were caught using gill nets with varying mesh sizes and harpoon. The fish were measured for length body and total weight. Then surgery was performed to determine their reproductive biological characteristics (sex, size of first gonad maturity, gonad maturity stage, Gonad Somatic Index, fecundity, and egg diameter). The results showed that the hampala barb in Ranau Lake laid the eggs throughout the year with a sex ratio of 1: 1, the size of the first stage of gonad maturity of male and female were 15.38 cm and 19.21 cm, fecundity between 17,406-63,793 eggs, and egg diameter between 0.8-1.9 mm. This reproductive biology information can be used for the management of hampala barb in Ranau Lake.