Morphometric characteristics of mungkus fish (Sicyopterus sp.) from several rivers in Bengkulu Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Mungkus fish (Sicyopterus sp) is one of the freshwater fish that is caught by many people in Bengkulu Province. The mungkus fish are amphidromous and live in rocky rivers and fast-flowing rivers. This fish has a ventral sucker for sticking to rocks. The aim of this research was to determine the types of mungkus fish that can be found in Bengkulu Province waters based on morphometric characters. The research was conducted on 8 major rivers in 5 districts in Bengkulu Province including Argamakmur, Muko-Muko, Seluma, Manna, and Kaur. Based on the results, showed that the mungkus fish were characterized based on morphometric, there were 3 types of fish including Sicyopterus squamosissimus, Sicyopterus cynocephalus, and Sicyopterus lagocephalus. Mungkus fish found in the northern Bengkulu region tend to be smaller in size, have almost the same color pattern and darker body color than the fish found in the South Bengkulu region. The most common species found in Bengkulu is Sicyopterus squamosissimus. The Sicyopterus lagocephalus species can also only be found in rivers in the South Bengkulu region. The fish morphometric characteristics shows that differences in fish habitat will affect the growth of fish and the existence of living species in nature.