BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF MUDSKIPPERS: FEEDING CHARACTERISTICS AND GROWTH PATTERNS IN THE MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM OF KARANGTALUN, CILACAP

Abstract

Mudskippers are characteristic inhabitants of mangrove ecosystems and utilize a variety of food resources available within intertidal habitats. This study investigated the feeding characteristics and growth patterns of mudskippers inhabiting the Karangtalun mangrove ecosystem, Cilacap, Indonesia. A field survey was conducted at three stations selected using purposive sampling. Fish specimens were obtained from local fishers and examined for mouth gape, relative gut length (RGL), stomach content composition, and length–weight relationships. Mean mouth gape ranged from 10.20 to 12.07 mm, while RGL values ranged from 2.16 to 2.34, indicating an omnivorous feeding tendency. Stomach content analysis revealed that phytoplankton was the dominant food component, with detritus, zooplankton, and algae occurring in varying compositions among stations. Length–weight analysis indicated positive allometric growth at all stations, with b values ranging from 3.14 to 3.63. Although feeding characteristics varied among stations, these variations did not consistently correspond to differences in growth patterns. Overall, the findings indicate that mudskippers in the Karangtalun mangrove ecosystem exhibit omnivorous feeding characteristics, utilize diverse food resources, and display positive allometric growth. These results provide baseline information on the feeding ecology and growth biology of mudskippers in mangrove habitats.