Aquatic physical and chemical characteristics of reservation and prohibited areas of mahseer (Tor douronensis Valenciennes, 1842) in Muara Bungo and Kerinci Regencies, Jambi Province of Indonesia

Abstract

Masheer (Tor douronensis) is one of the important commodities, has long been known as one of the fish with a high enough value, and is loved by many people in Jambi Province and several other provinces in Indonesia. However, the ecological information of this fish is not widely known. This study examines the characteristics of aquatic physical and chemical of the reserved and prohibited area for fish in Muara Bungo and Kerinci Regencies in Jambi Province. The study was carried out from December 2018 to October 2019 at four locations, i.e., Lubuk Alai, Senamat River, and Tarutung Village, and the river outside the protected area. Aquatic physical and chemical parameters data were collected in-situ and ex-situ. The Aquatic parameters observed were temperature 25.7-30.1oC, pH 6-7, DO 5.3-7.8, transparency 15-125 cm, depth 25-207 cm, turbidity 1.4-158.3 ppm, TSS 3.0-62.9 ppm, ammonia 0.08-0.76 ppm, nitrite 0.03-0.31 ppm, nitrate 0.00-0.68 ppm, and total phosphate 0.00-1.31 ppm, which were suitable for aquatic life. Based on habitat condition grouping, Lubuk Alai and Tarutung Village tend to have a higher similarity, which ammonia, transparency, depth, and total phosphate were the main components.