A study on the reproductive strategy of Ompok hypophthalmus from the Kampar River, Langgam Village, Pelalawan, Riau Province

Abstract The Asian River Catfish ( Ompok hypophthalmus ) is economical fish in Riau. This fish was commonly captured from natural resources. Study on its natural reproductive strategy was never been conducted. To understand the reproductive strategy of that fish through field observation and histological study of their reproductive organs, a study has been conducted in June 2013 - January 2014. The fish was sampled in the Kampar River that flew across the Langgam Village. Results of field observation shown that the fish conducted reproductive migration activities. During the spawning season, the fishes migrated to several lakes present along the river, that were flooded with water from the Kampar River during the flood season. During the spawning season, the fish migrated to the lakes 3 times, in September, November and January. The lakes may play as spawning grounds as indicated by the presence of fingerlings that were come out from the lakes around 4 weeks after the fish migration. Histological study of the gonad of O. hypophthalmus also showed that this fish a partial spawner fish and eggs in several developmental stages in the ovary. Conclusion, that O. hypophthalmus is a partial spawner fish and spawned 3 times in each spawning season.