MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE KNIFEFISH (CHITALA SPP.) POPULATION FROM DIFFERENT AQUATIC LOCATIONS OF KALIMANTAN

Currently, information on the identification of knifefish species (Chitala spp.) is very limited. Thus, successful identification of knifefish species will significantly aid in naming and distinguishing these species for domestication activities, genetic improvement, and the development of knifefish aquaculture to support the conservation of Indonesia's native fishery germplasm. This study aims to analyze the morphological characteristics of the knifefish population from different aquatic locations in Kalimantan. Fish samples were collected from the Riam Kanan Reservoir and Martapura River in South Kalimantan Province, and the Seruyan River in Central Kalimantan Province. The fish samples to be identified were first documented with a camera, then visually identified for morphological characteristics. Morphometric characters were measured, and meristic characters were counted one by one until 30 fish samples from each location were examined. The data were recorded individually according to a pre-established morphological character observation instrument based on references. The analysis of meristic characters of knifefish from the Riam Kanan Reservoir, Martapura River, and Seruyan River showed no differences; however, there were morphological differences in the body patterns of knifefish from the three aquatic environments.