Sulawesi is an island famous for its biodiversity, including many endemic species. In particular, Sulawesi has the highest number of gobies in the world, including species with potential as food and/or ornamental fishes. The exploration of freshwater ichthyofauna is important in the context of Indonesian and global biodiversity. This research aimed to identify gobies found in the Luwuk Banggai area of Central Sulawesi, as a contribution to the exploration of Indonesian ichthyofaunal biodiversity. Gobies were sampled from January to March 2019 in the Biak and Koyoan Rivers. The sampled fish were measured and identified based on morphological characteristics. A total of 52 specimens were collected, and identified as belonging to 17 species within two families, the Gobiidae and Eleotridae. Gobies from the Koyoan River comprised 32 specimens from 8 species, while 20 specimens belonging to species were found in the Biak River. Only two species were found in both rivers: Stiphodon semoni and Sicyopterus lagocephalus. These results augment the body of knowledge regarding the presence and distribution of gobies in Indonesia

The recently described Stiphodon annieae (Keith & Hadiaty, 2014) was thought to be endemic to Halmahera Island, Indonesia. However, from August 2019 to January 2020, we collected several specimens during field trips to the Soho, Simpong, and Uso rivers in Luwuk Banggai, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. We describe specimens collected in the Soho River and discuss the ichthyofauna of Luwuk Banggai. This is the first report of S. annieae from Sulawesi. Our records represent a range extension of approximately 500–600 km west of this species’ type locality on the island of Halmahera. 

Luwuk Banggai in Central Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, is a part of Sulawesi Island in the Wallacea Region with many rivers. These rivers host a high diversity of aquatic species, but this diversity is poorly known. This calls for taxonomic exploration, in particular for the fishes belonging to the Order Gobioidei, commonly called gobies. This study aimed to identify gobies present in rivers Luwuk Banggai, both as a contribution to scientific knowledge on goby biodiversity and distribution and to inform the management of (hitherto unregulated) aquatic resources by the local government agencies involved. The establishment of effective, science-based management is especially important and urgent for those gobies which have economic potential, in particular as freshwater ornamental commodities. The study was conducted from January to July 2019 in several Luwuk Banggai rivers: Mendono River, Mendono Village; Koyoan River; Simpong River; Soho River; Biak River; Honduhon River; Matanyo River; and Salodik River. The specimens obtained (n = 203) were measured and identified based on species-specific characteristics. Species belonging to the Family Gobiidae were more abundant (161 individuals from 20 species) than those in the Family Eleotridae (42 individuals from 6 species). One species commonly found in these rivers was Lentipes mekonggaensis (30 individuals).

Inland public water areas which include freshwater lakes and several rivers in Sulawesi Island have native and endemic fish species which potential as ornamental fish. One of them is a member of Gobiidae. Several studies have reported the species of freshwater goby in Central Sulawesi Province. However, the information is still lacking, especially in the Luwuk Banggai, Central Sulawesi. Therefore, research is needed to examine the diversity of gobies in this area. Observations were conducted in three rivers (Salodik, Kintom, and Simpong). The results of fish inventory in the three Luwuk Banggai rivers obtained 131 fish specimens, namely 26 specimens from the Salodik river, 29 specimens from the Kintom river, and 76 specimens from the Simpong river. The Simpong River has the highest Shannon-Wiener index (H’) followed by the Kintom and Salodik rivers, which are 2.6313, 2.0114, and 1.3656, respectively. Similarity analysis of the three rivers produced 2 clusters. The Salodik River in fish diversity shows differences with the other two rivers, while the Simpong and Kintom rivers are in one cluster. Further research is needed related to the biodiversity of gobies and their relationship to habitat characteristics and river water quality in the Luwuk Banggai.

The pre-cooking process carried out in the fish canning industry still uses the method of steaming on the stove. The difference in the capacity of the pre-cooking and sterilization processes causes a long holding time, which has the potential for microorganism contamination and low productivity. Research on the prototype of an integrated semi-automatic mini exhausting unit with a capacity of up to 300 cans of 115 mL using a hot steam source from a sterilization retort has to increase production capacity and efficiency. The size mini exhausting has a size of 4 meters x 1 meter and is made of 304 stainless material. It has 3 parts, namely the preparation part, the heating part, and the draining section. The drain part was located on the outside of the mini exhausting box. The draining part has a pan that can be rotated 150 degrees to remove the fish liquid in the can before the next process. The results of the exhausting room temperature reached 90°C within 8 minutes at an autoclave pressure of 0.8 bar. Fish meat reaches a temperature of 80 degrees after heating in the 12th minute. In the mini exhausting system, production capacity can be increased up to 8 times, with 25% electrical energy efficiency.