A preliminary study on the size structure and sex ratio of orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides Hamilton, 1822) harvested from Kwandang Bay, Sulawesi Sea, Indonesia
Dewi Shinta Achmad, Muh Saleh Nurdin, Indri Afriani Yasin, Merita Ayu Indrianti, Meity Melani Mokoginta, Fahrullah Fahrullah, Dewa Oka Suparwata, Yusriyah Atikah Gobel, Moh. Muchlis Djibran, Susan Mokoolang
Abstract
Orange-spotted grouper is one of the coral reef fish has the economic value and exploited by local fisherman. Information about the size structure and sex ratio are urgent to formulate a policy for sustainability. This research aims to analyze the size structure and sex ratio of the orange-spotted grouper in Kwandang Bay. The research was conducted from December 2016 to November 2017. Sampling is carried out twice a month for one year. The total sample of orange-spotted grouper used for the analysis of the sex ratio was 149 individuals. Sample of orange-spotted grouper collected from fish landed and middlemen (grouper traders) at the Kwandang Fishing Port. Data analysis applying chi-square. The results show that males bigger than females. The sex ratio of orange-spotted grouper is 87.25 % female, 7.38 % male, and 5.37 % hermaphrodites. Orange-spotted grouper dominated by females and undergoes a gonad differentiation to male (protogynous hermaphrodite). It is concluded that The size of the male orange-spotted grouper is larger than that of the female grouper. The caught orange-spotted grouper is dominated by the female phase and undergoes a differentiation of the gonad from female to male (protogynous hermaphrodite)