KEANEKARAGAMAN IKAN AIR TAWAR DI PULAU MENDANAU

Mendanau Island is one of the small islands in the Bangka Belitung Islands with freshwater ecosystems that potentially support diverse fish communities. However, information on the composition and diversity of freshwater fish on the island remains limited. This study aimed to identify and describe the diversity of freshwater fish found on Mendanau Island based on morphological characteristics. Fish sampling was conducted in several freshwater habitats on the island, and the collected specimens were identified based on their morphological characteristics. The results revealed nine fish species or taxonomic groups, namely Betta sp., Clarias sp., Hemirhamphodon sp., Channa sp., Clarias nieuhofii, Betta edithae, Anabas testudineus, Aplocheilus panchax, and Rasbora einthovenii. Among these, Anabas testudineus, Aplocheilus panchax, Clarias nieuhofii, and Betta edithae represent the first records of these species on Mendanau Island. These findings provide additional information on the geographical distribution of freshwater fish in the Bangka Belitung Islands and indicate that the freshwater ecosystems of Mendanau Island support a diverse fish assemblage that warrants attention in conservation and ecosystem management efforts.