Food Habits and Stomach Content Analysis of Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis, Linnaeus 1758) Caught in Mamuju Waters, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Wayan Kantun *
Aquatic Resources, Balik Diwa Institute of Maritime Technology and Business, Indonesia.
Nursidi Latif
Aquaculture, Pangkep Agricultural Polytechnic, Indonesia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Skipjack tuna is a fast-swimming pelagic fish that has the ability to migrate between water areas. This study aims to determine the food habits and stomach fullness of skipjack tuna in Makassar Strait, Indonesia. The survey was implemented for 12 months from April 2019 to March 2020. Trolling lines were used for fish sampling. A total number of 252 fish was used for fish sampling. Food habits and stomach fullness of skipjack tuna were observed for data collection. The results showed that the food types found in the skipjack tuna stomach consists of fish 24.82-30.72%, (27.8 ± SE 1.31%), crustacean 22.48-30.24% (26.3 ± SE 1.47%), cephalopods 26.37-35.29% (31,7 ± SE 1.61%) dan unidentified 11.10-19.49% (14.3 ± SE 1.45%). The stomach fullness (SF) varied, which consisted of bursting 9.52-14.92% (11.90 ± SE 1.58%), ¾ filled 14.29-23.81% (22.22 ± SE 1.76%), ½ filled 28.57-33.33% (29.76 ± SE 1.47%) and empty 33.33-47.62% (36.11 ± SE 2.07%). Food types of skipjack tuna were dominated by cephalopods, and stomach fullness was mostly in empty condition.
Keywords: Food habits, stomach fullness, Katsuwonus pelamis, Makassar strait, Indonesia