Growth patterns, condition factors and morphological variations in Barbonymus schwanefeldii from Indonesia
Growth patterns, condition factors and morphological variations in Barbonymus schwanefeldii from Indonesia

Summary/Abstract: Tinfoil barb (Barbonymus schwanefeldii) is one of Indonesia's native fish species which has economic value as a consumption and ornamental fish. This species is also found in the Leuser Ecosystem Area, specifically the Keureuto, Bunin, and Sikundur Rivers, Aceh Province, Indonesia. However, studies regarding the length-weight relationship, condition factors, meristics and morphometric variations of this species have not yet been undertaken, especially in the Leuser Ecosystem Area. So this research on these characteristics is important as a basis for managing these fish in the Leuser Ecosystem Area. Samples were collected in three locations (Bunin River, Keureuto River and Sikundur River) over a period of nine months using nets, gillnets and fishing rods. Fish length and weight were measured in situ using digital scales and calipers. Meristic and morphometric analyses were also performed in this study to reveal possible intraspecies differences. A total of 24 morphometric and 9 meristic characters were measured in this study. A total of 208 B. schwanefeldii samples were collected in this study with a total of 70 males and 138 females. The total number of B. schwanefeldii catches in the Keureuto, Bunin, and Sikundur River reached 57, 110, 41 samples, respectively. Based on the results of observations at the three research locations, it shows that female fish were more dominant, where the ratio between male:female for the three locations respectively was between 1:2.33 (Bunin River), 1:1.71 (Keureuto River), and 1:1.56 (Sikundur River). B. schwanefeldii collected from the Keureuto River and Sikundur River had a negative allometric growth pattern, while those from the Bunin River had a positive allometric growth pattern. Comparative meristic and morphometric analysis showed that B. schwanefeldii collected from the Keureuto River and Sikundur River had high similarities, while B. schwanefeldii from the Bunin River were relatively different. The results of this research succeeded in revealing morphological variations between B. schwanefeldii populations which are related to adaptation to different habitats.

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