Population of Esteochilus spp. as a Base of Sustainable Fishing in Serayu River | Lestari | Jurnal Perikanan Universitas Gadjah Mada 9 37 1 PB

169

Jurnal Perikanan (J. Fish. Sci.) XI (2): 169-174 ISSN: 0853-6384

Full Paper
POPULATION OF Osteochilus spp. AS A BASE OF SUSTAINABLE FISHING
IN SERAYU RIVER
Windiarini Lestari1*, Yogi Putranto2, Nuning Setyaningrum1 and Sugiharto1
1

Laboratory of Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto
2
Dirjen Pengawasan dan Pengendalian Sumberdaya Kelautan dan Perikanan
*Penulis untuk korespondensi, E-mail: w.lestari@lycos.com

Abstract
The increasing demand for freshwater resources generated by human population growth, urbanization,
industrialization and irrigation have resulted in a decline or loss of freshwater ish such as Osteochilus
spp. The aims of research were to analysis the population of Osteochilus spp in terms of abundance,
longitudinal distribution and sex ratio and to determine environmental factors of river driven these
populations. The research was carried out at upper part of Serayu River during wet season (January

– March) and dry season (June - August) 2007. Fishes were collected by using electro ishing and stratiied
random sampling was applied by dividing this river into ive strata based on altitude. The results showed
that the total abundances of Osteochilus spp. was 149 individuals and composed by O. hasselti (47)
with 8.30 – 24.35 cm and 11.20 – 198.70 g, O. microchephalus (101) with 11.35 – 25.21 cm and 17.9
– 206.5 g and O.kahajanensis (1) with 17.30 cm and 68.80 g. The size of population O. hasselti and O.
microchephalus gradually increased from 7 and 4 individuals in stratum A became 27 and 12 individuals
in stratum D, and then increased up to 43 and 17 individuals in stratum E. The sex ratio of O. hasselti was
10:16 and O. microchephalus was 20:23. Both species were longitudinally distributed in Serayu River. It
seems that the population of O. hasellti and O. microchephalus were more inluenced by physical factors
such as depth and current rather than chemical factors i.e. DO and pH at Serayu River.
Key words: ishing, Osteochilus, population, serayu, sustainable
Introduction
There are 5,886 rivers in Indonesia (Directorate
General of Water Resource Development, 1991), but
less is known about the ecological factors important
for determining the distribution and community
structure of freshwater ish. Even, there is no available
report illustrating the situation in Central Java, where
most of the upper part of rivers are heavily shaded
and surrounded by secondary forest. These parts

are important ecosystems as biodiversity reservoir
of aquatic organisms. The upper parts of stream
are threatened by deforestation which increases the
temperature and sediment load. The course of their
flows are threatened by dam construction which
eradicates high gradient sector and alters the low
pattern down stream or canalization which reduces
the heterogeneity of river bed and the number of
available ecological niches (Kottelat & Whitten,
1996). Commonly, rivers receive organic matter
from agricultural areas, housing and traditional food
industries causing destruction of stream habitats, and
degradation of water quality.
Fish is chosen as the focal or lagship group of species
since they are species rich: out of 25,000 known ish

species over 40% or 10,000 are known exclusively
from freshwaters (Kottelat & Whitten, 1996). The
total number of freshwater ish species in Java is 132
species with land area about 132,570 square km.

About 9% or twelve species are endemic species,
there are six species from the Cyprinid, one species
from the Balitoridae, one species from the Cobitidae,
one species from the Akysidae, one species from the
Hemiramphidae and two species from the Gobiidae
(Kottelat et al., 1993; Kottelat & Whitten, 1996).
Family cyprinidae contributed up to 70% of all
freshwater ish in Banyumas Rivers and the most
common species was Osteochilus hasselti (Lestari,
2004). While in Indonesian freshwater, 24 species
of Osteochilus are documented and one of them
Ostechilus kappeni is endemic species (Fishbase,
2007).
On the other hands, the knowledge of the Indonesian
fish fauna is regarded as not well develop, it is
demonstrated by the list of additions and new
discoveries species. The present fish increase
about 18% in four years only (Kottelat et al., 1993).
Concerning to the lack of scientific information
and crucial role of river in human life, a research

Copyright©2009. Jurnal Perikanan (Journal of Fisheries Sciences) All Right Reserved

Lestari et al., 2009

170

Figure 1. Fiveteen sites for ish sampling along the Serayu River.
u
Table 1. Sampling sites of Serayu River.
Strata
(m above sea level)
A 746-870

B 621-745

C 496-620

D 371-495

E 246-370

Sites
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Altitude

(m above sea level)
858
835
808
739
705
638
609
566
560
413
391
378
277
262
246

is necessary to obtain basic data of ish in order to
enable develop a strategies of sustainable ishing
(Raven & Wilson, 1992; Prins & Wind, 1993) and to

determine ish communities for management of river
habitat (Maitland & Morgan, 1997)
Materials and Methods
This study was conducted in the Serayu River from
January to March and June to September 2007.
Observations were started at the upper part and
continued along the water body up to the Panglima
Soedirman Reservoir. This river was divided into
5 strata based on the altitude and each stratum

Ordinates
7018’49” and 109054’13”
7019’19” and 109054’13”
7019’32” and 109053’57”
7020’37” and 109053’50”
7022’31” and 109053’20”
7021’14” and 109053’48”
7023’24” and 109053’10”
7024’13” and 109052’50”
7024’19” and 1090,52’45”

7025’15” and 109049’18”
7024’43” and 109047’59”
7024’21” and 109047’02”
7023’11” and 109042’25”
7023’17” and 109041’37”
7023’49” and 109040’37”

consists of 3 sampling sites since of the micro habitat
differences (Figure 1 and Table 1).
The ish sampling was performed during the day only
(08.00 pm–18.00 am). Concerning that the eficiency
of electric ishing is highest in such a condition as
follows depth < 1 meter with low current, solitary and
non migratory ishes with size > 30 cm (Casselman,
et al. 1990 & Lestari (2006), meanwhile the conditions
of the 15 sampling sites were varied, the combined
seine net and electric ishing was applied mostly in
this research it means that this combined method was
the primary collection method (Gorman & Karr, 1978
and American Public Health Association, 1989).

Copyright©2009. Jurnal Perikanan (Journal of Fisheries Sciences) All Right Reserved

171

Jurnal Perikanan (J. Fish. Sci.) XI (2): 169-174 ISSN: 0853-6384

Table 2. The water properties of Serayu River.
Strata

Water temperature
(0C)

Depth
(cm)
50-55
55-80

Current per
100cm

(seconds)
64-130
63-117

A
B

22-24
23-25

C
D
E

25-26
24-28
26-32

pH

DO
(mg/l)

7-7.4
7-7.5

8.6-13.0
6.0-10.8

30-80
50-60
25-70

54-135
11-135
70-197

6-7.0
6-7.0
6-7.0

6.2-12.0
7.8-10.4
9.4-11.2

Table 3. Biological proiles of Osteochilus spp.
Species

Length (cm)

Weight (g)

O. hasselti
O. microchephalus
O. kahajanensis

8.30 – 24.35
11.35 – 25.21
17.30

11.20 – 198.70
17.9 – 206.5
68.80

Fish collection from each sampling site were coded,
recorded and counted. They were ixed in 10% formalin
and preserved in 70% ethanol. Fish was identiied to
the species level according to the taxonomic keys of
Saanin, 1986; Kottelat et al., 1993 and Fishbase, 2007.
The population was analysed by counting the number
of individuals (Krebs, 1972) per sampling site for 30
minutes effective time or about100 meter square.
In order to compare the river properties in the five
strata, data of physical and chemical parameters and
population of Osteochilus spp were analyzed by ANOVA
(Zar, 1984). And then, interactions between physicchemical parameters and the population of Osteochilus
spp. were determined by calculating Pearson correlation
(Zar, 1984) runs by program Statsoft (1989).
Data of Osteochilus spp were used as base in
determining the fish that could be caught. As well
as, the information of river properties were applied in
determining the sites for ishing ground. Both aspects
are needed in development the sustainable programs.

Results and Discussion
Results
Like other tropical rivers, the complexity of micro habitat
in Serayu River increased from upper to down stream
part. Sampling sites in higher level of altitude possessed
lower water temperature. For example, strata A with
220C, it was slightly increased to the down part, became
280C in strata D and 320C in strata E (Table 2).
Current was varied from site to other sites, but it
trends to be slower to the down part. It was relected
by increasing the duration for each 100 Cm, from 64

Total Number
(individual)
47
101
1

seconds in strata A became 197 seconds in strata E.
The longitudinal model plays in the Serayu River,
particularly in the upper part. It is true in term of physical
habitat characteristics such as depth, and, current.
However, chemical and biological determinants
were apparently not follow the longitudinal pattern
of change. In general the physical and chemical
parameters illustrated that Serayu River is remains
in natural condition (Table 2).
The total number of Osteochilus spp.was 149
individuals composited by 47 of O. hasselti with
8.3–24.35 cm in lenght and 1.20–198.7 g in weght;
101 of O. microchephalus with 11.35-25.21 cm and
17.9–206.5 g. One individual of O. kahajanensis with
17.30 cm and 68.80 g (Table 3). Most of ish captured
in down part was bigger that those captured in upper
part. It could be related to the more natural food and
space for moving.
The populations of O. hasselti and O. microchepalus
gradually increased from stratum A to E. The
population of O. hasselti increased from 4 individuals
in stratum A became 17 individuals in stratum E.
The same pattern was applied in population of
O.microchepalus. It increased from 7 individuals in
stratum A and became 43 individuals in stratum E.
(Figure 2).
Table 4 displays that sex ratio of O. hasselti
was 1:1.35, O. microchepalus was 1:1.40 and O.
kahajanensis with one female (Table 4.). Chi square
results showed that the sex ratio of (x 2 =0,551,
p < 0,005 for O. hasselti, x2 =0,809, p < 0,05 for
O. microchepalus, and x2 =0,594, p < 0,05 for O.
kahajanensis.

Copyright©2009. Jurnal Perikanan (Journal of Fisheries Sciences) All Right Reserved

Lestari et al., 2009

172

50

Fish Number (Individu)

45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
A

B

C

D

E

Strata
O. hasselti

O. microchepalus

O. kahajanensis

Figure 2. The populations of Osteochilus spp. in ive strata of Serayu River
Table 4. Chi square of sex ratio of Osteochilus spp.
Species
O. hasselti
O. microchepalus
O. kahajanensis

χ

Observed
male
female
20
27
42
59
0
1

Expected
male
female
17.54
29.46
37.69
63.32
0.373
0.627

x2count

x20.05

0.551
0.809
0.594

3.84
3.84
3.84

Sampling sites in stratum A seem to be less
complexity than others strata, this condition lead to
less population of ish. The sites in stratum A only
occupied by 17 individuals while sites in stratum E
χ
by 43 individuals. Complexity of micro habitat related
χ
to natural foods, nursuring and spawning grounds,
χ
χ
especially increasing
in depth will provide more place
χ
for those activities (Vannote et al., 1980 and Payne,
1986).

more females than males. Like other ishes which
possesed number of females was more
χ than males
such asχRasbora tawarensis with 1: 4.72 (Brojo et
al., 2001), Puntius gonionotus
with 1: 1.12, Puntius
χ
bramoides with 1:1.07 (Kartamihardja, 1996) and
Labeo cylindricus with sex ratio 1:1.63 (Weyl and
Booth, 1999). These sex ratios were more likely to
adequate for supporting the population dynamics
(Purwanto et al., 1986).

Other reason for the increasing number of ish was
probably related to food available in down χstream.
Since down stream
χ part of riverχwas deposited part,
naturally this part was rich part of detritus. This
migration appeared to serve the function of placing
eggs on suitable spawning substrate, usually gravels
or submerged plants or stream feeding sites. Such
as Cyprinus carpio used down stream part of the
Mississippi River for spawning ground (Welcomme,
2001).

χ three species
χ
Populations of
O. hasselti, O.
microchepalus
and O. kahajanensis dynamically
χ
changed corresponded with the changes of physical
parameters. Particularly, altitude drove the population
of O. hasselti and O. microchepalus. These populations
decreased by the increasing of altitude level.

In term of sex ratio aspect, population of Osteochillus
spp. in Serayu River seems to able to sustain due to

Meanwhile, the changes of O. kahajanensis population
were drove more by water temperature (Table 5).
This study demonstrated that the populations of
Osteochilus spp. have been driven by physical
parameters. Naturally, the levels of altitude closed
related to the changes of current, depth, and water

Copyright©2009. Jurnal Perikanan (Journal of Fisheries Sciences) All Right Reserved

173

Jurnal Perikanan (J. Fish. Sci.) XI (2): 169-174 ISSN: 0853-6384

Table 5. Correlation between physic-chemical parameters and population
Parameters
Altitude (m asl)
Water Temperature (0C)
Depth (m)
Current (cm/seconds)
pH
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l)

O. hasselti
-0.416(*)
0.204
0.113
0.040
-0.142
-0.316

temperature. From upper to down parts of rivers, the
current will decrease, the depth and water temperature
will increase (Payne, 1986 and Allan, 1995).
Moreover, Osteochilus species are widely distributed
throughout South East Asia (Fishbase, 2007); even
this species might be an indicator for disturbance
following logging. The physical effects of logging
that are presumed to be of important factors to ish
including the increasing of suspended sediment,
temperature and amount of debris and the decreasing
of dissolved oxygen. Greater of suspended sediment
leads to lower production of micro algae may cause
the declining of species abundance of Osteocheilus
(Martin-Smith, 1998).
Species Osteochilus microchepalus was more available
than Osteochilus hasselti, even O. kahajanensis
occurred in very small population. Female occurred
more than male ish. Down part of Serayu River was
inhabited by more individuals therefore this part is
promoted as ishing ground.
Conclusion
Female Osteochilus microchepalus was recommended
as a legal ish to be caught rather than Osteochilus
hasselti and Osteochilus kahajanensi for sustainable
ishing and downstream part of Serayu was preferable
sites for ishing ground.
Acknowledgement
This research was inancially supported by DP2MDIKTI with contract number: 033/SP2H/PP/DP2M/
III/2007. Our thanks are addressed to Y. Putranto for
ield work.

O. microchepalus
-0.518(**)
0.380(*)
0.252
-0.011
-0.106
-0.117

O. kahajanensis
-0.301
0.589(**)
-0.397(*)
0.343
-0.002
-0.038

American Public Health Associations. 1989. Standard
methods for examination of water and waste
water. American Public Health Associations,
American Water Works Association, Water Public
Control Federation, Washington D.C.
Brojo, M., S. Sukimin & I. Mutriasih. 2001. Reproduksi
Ikan Depik (Rasbora tawarensis) di perairan Danau
Laut Tawar. Jurnal Iktiologi Indonesia I(2).
Casselman, J.M., T. Penczak, L. Carl, R.H.K. Mann, J.
Holcik & W.A. Woitowich. 1990. An evaluation of
ish sampling methodologies for large river systems.
Polskie Arch Hydrobiologii 7(4): 512-551.
Directorate General of Water Resource Development.
1991. Kapasitas sumber daya air menjelang
tahun 2000. Seminar Kebijaksanaan dan strategi
pengembangan sumber daya air jangka panjang
di Indonesia. BAPPENAS, Jakarta.
Fishbase. 2007. Diversity of freshwater Fish in
Indonesia. http://www.fishbase.org/summary/
speciesSummary.cfm?. Downloaded 30 March
2007.
Gorman, O.T & J.R. Karr. 1978. Habitat structure
and stream fish communities. Ecology 59(3):
507 - 515.
Kartamihardja, E.S. 1996. Structure of ish community
and reproductive biology of three species
of Cyprinids in Kedungombo Reservoir. J.
Indonesians Fisheries Research II (1).
Kottelat, M., A.J Whitten., S.N. Kartikasari & S.
Wirjoatmodjo. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of
Western Indonesia and Sulawesi. Periplus.
Jakarta.

References

Kottelat, M. & T. Whitten. 1996. Freshwater biodiversity
in Asia: with special reference to Fish. World Bank
Technical Paper No: 343. Washington D.C.

Allan, J.D. 1995. Stream Ecology: Structure and
function of running water. Chapman and Hall,
London.

Krebs, C.J. 1972. Ecology: The experimental analysis
of distribution and abundance. Harper and Row.
New York.

Copyright©2009. Jurnal Perikanan (Journal of Fisheries Sciences) All Right Reserved

Lestari et al., 2009

174

Lestari, W. 2004. The ish community of a tropical
organically polluted rivers: A case study of the
Logawa River, Central Java, Indonesia. Cuvilier
Verlag, Gottingen, Germany.
Lestari, W. 2006. Detecting the efficiency of fish
sampling technique on abundance and diversity
freshwater ish. J. Saintek Perikanan 1(2): 5762
Maitland, P.S. & N.S. Morgan, 1997. Conservation and
management of freshwater habitats. Chapman
and Hall, London.
Martin-Smith, K.M. 1998 Effects of disturbance
caused by selective timber extraction on fish
communities in Sabah, Malaysia. Environ. Biol.
of Fishes 53: 155-167.
Payne, A.I. 1986. The ecology of tropical lakes and
rivers. John Wiley and Sons, Chichester.
Prins, H.H.T & J. Wind. 1993. Research for nature
conservation in South-East Asia. Biological
Conservation 63: 43 - 46.
Purwanto, G., W.M. Bob & S. Bustaman. 1986. Studi
pendahuluan keadaan dan perbandingan kelamin

Ikan Cakalang (Katsuworus pelamis) di Perairan
sekitar Teluk Piru dan Elpa Putih Pulau Seram. J.
Penelitian Perikanan Laut 34: 69-67.
Raven, P.H. & E.O. Wilson. 1992. Perspective: a ifty
year plan for biodiversity surveys. Science. 258:
1099 - 1100.
Saanin. 1986. Taksonomi dan kunci determinasi ikan.
Bina Cipta. Bogor.
Statsoft, Inc. 1995. Statistical for windows release
5.0. Tulsa Oklahoma USA.
Vannote, R.L., G.W. Minshall., K.W. Cummins, J.R.
Sedell & C.E. Coshing. 1980. The river continuum
concept. Canadian Journal Fish Aquatic Science
37: 130-137.
Welcomme, R.L. 2001. Inland fisheries: Ecology
and management, Oxford, Fishing New Books.
Blackwell Sciences.
Weyl , L.F. & A.J. Booth. 1999. On the life history of a
Cyprinid Fish, Labeo cylindricus. Environmental
Biology of Fishes Vol. 55(3): 29-41.
Zar, J. H. 1984. Biostatistical analysis. Second edition.
Prentise. Hall Inc. New Jersey.

Copyright©2009. Jurnal Perikanan (Journal of Fisheries Sciences) All Right Reserved