Growth pattern and condition factor of giant catfish (Arius thalassinus) in the Cilacap water, Central Java

Abstract

Giant catfish (Arius thalassinus) is one of demersal fish that has important economic potential. In the Cilacap waters, this fish caught by gillnet. Study of giant catfish is still limited. The objective of this study was to obtain the growth pattern and factor condition for giant fish in the Cilacap waters. This study was conducted from January to December 2015 in the Ocean Fishing Port of Cilacap, Central Java. A total number of 1126 individual of Arius thalassinus caught by gillnet was observed during the sampling periods. Total length and weight those fishes were analyzed. The result showed that the size ofgiant catfish caught by gillnet ranged between 20.2-62.2 cm FL with an average was 40.2 cm FL and weight between 147-4,205 g with an average was 1,400.7 g. The growth pattern of giant catfish was positive allometric was expressed by equation W=0.0158 × L3.0546, r2 = 0.9775. Condition factor of giant catfish was ranging from 1.8-2.1.