Ichthyofauna of Endemic Fish in Towuti Lake, Luwu Timur Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Aims: The aims of this study to determine the biodiversity of endemic fish in Lake Towuti, Luwu Timur Regency South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Study Design: The research was conducted by survey

Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out in February until March 2021 in Tanjung Timbala; Tanjung Lengkobutanga; Tanjung Bakara; Tanjung Saone and. Tanjung Tominanga at Lake Towuti, Luwu Timur Regency South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Methodology: Fish samples were carried out every week using a trap net for 8 weeks. Fish samples obtained from each station were separated according to species. Fish samples were preserved with 4% formalin and then immersed in 70% alcohol before species identification was conducted. Data analysis in this research used descriptive statistics.

Results: The endemic fish species was found is telamtherina bonti Telmatherina bonti, Telmatherina celebensis, Paratherina striata, Tominanga sanguicauda, Tominanga aurea Oryzias profundicola, Oryzias matanensis, Oryzias marmoratus, Mugilogobius hitam, Glossogobius flavipinnis, Glossogobius matanensis and Dermogenys megarhamphus. The percentage of endemic fish caught at each station on Lake Towuti was different. The water quality parameters obtained are as follows Temperature: 26.40⁰C-30.30⁰C, pH: 6.35-9.03, dissolved oxygen (DO):6.25-8.95 mg/L and NO3-N: 0.023-0.066 mg/L.This water quality were suitable for the survival and growth of endemic fish.

Conclusion: Endemic fish families were obtained such as Telmatheridae, Adrianichthyidae, Gobiidae and Hemiramphidae and a total of twelve endemic fish species were found in this study. The number of endemic fish was found to be different at the station. Water quality parameters play an important role in the distribution and existence of endemic fish in Lake Towuti.