Monitoring the endemic ornamental fish Pterapogon kauderni in Bokan Kepulauan, Banggai marine protected area, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. The Banggai cardinalfish Pterapogon kauderni is a species of national and international conservation concern. Established in November 2019, the Banggai marine protected area (MPA) in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia covers most of the endemic range of this ornamental fish. The third repeat survey (T2 monitoring) under the National Action Plan for Banggai Cardinalfish Conservation (NAP-BCFC) was carried out in October 2019 at eight sites in the Bokan Kepulauan region within the MPA. The T2 monitoring used the standard NAP-BCFC belt transect method. Data were collected on P. kauderni abundance (by size class: recruits, juveniles, adults) and microhabitat (sea urchins, sea anemones, hard corals, and others). Data were evaluated with respect to the T0 (2017) survey and T1 (2018) monitoring at the same sites, as well as previous surveys in 2004 (2 sites) and 2012 (4 sites). The data show wide between-site variation in P. kauderni and microhabitat parameters, with one subpopulation at very high risk of extirpation. Trends included declines over time in P. kauderni, sea urchin and sea anemone abundance, with an increase since 2017 in hard coral microhabitat use by adult P. kauderni. We recommend evaluation of other P. kauderni populations in Bokan Kepulauan and specific site or zone-based actions. However, we conclude that the most urgent priority for P. kauderni conservation in Bokan Kepulauan is protection of key microhabitat through a moratorium on sea urchin and sea anemone collection in P. kauderni habitat. Keywords: Banggai cardinalfish, endangered species, marine conservation, microhabitat, monitoring, ornamental fishery, CITES

New host record of microhabitat preferences of the Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) in the introduced habitat in Luwuk waters, Sulawesi

“…Clownfish usually throw other fishes from approaching sea anemones they live in, including the adult of Banggai cardinalfish; however, they tolerate the presence of juvenile [13]. There is much evidence that microhabitats, sea urchin, sea anemone, and hard coral life forms are important to support the Banggai cardinalfish populations [40,48,49]. The main factor in decreasing the Banggai cardinalfish population is the abundance of microhabitat populations, especially sea urchin and sea anemone [50].…”

Microhabitat association and population status of the Luwuk introduced Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni Koumans, 1933) population

“…Traded globally as a marine ornamental fish since around 1995, exploitation levels of the P. kauderni endemic population were considered excessive by 2000 (Allen, 2000), and by 2007 this species was listed as Endangered in the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List (Allen and Donaldson, 2007). While the ornamental fishery has led to or contributed to the depletion of endemic P. kauderni populations (EC-PREP 2005; Kolm and Berglund, 2003;Lunn and Moreau, 2004;Moore et al, 2011Moore et al, , 2021 Depik Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Perairan, Pesisir dan Perikanan Volume 10, Number 3, Page 251-259 Serdiati et al ( 2021) Ndobe et al, 2013aNdobe et al, , 2013bNdobe et al, , 2018aNdobe et al, , 2020Vagelli and Erdmann, 2002;Wiadnyana et al, 2020), the marine ornamental trade has also been responsible for introducing P. kauderni outside its native range.…”

“…Heliofungia actiniformis and Cassiopea sp. ), larger juveniles and adults are often found in (mostly branching and foliose) hard corals, and all life stages associate with Diadematid sea urchins (Moore et al, 2011;Moore et al, 2019a;Ndobe et al, 2020;Ndobe et al, 2013c;Vagelli, 2004Vagelli, , 2011. Diadematid sea urchin microhabitat includes Diadema setosum, D. savignyi, and possibly D. clarki as well; Echinothrix diadema and E. calamaris; and more rarely Astropyga sp.…”

“…Diadematid sea urchin microhabitat includes Diadema setosum, D. savignyi, and possibly D. clarki as well; Echinothrix diadema and E. calamaris; and more rarely Astropyga sp. (Moore et al, 2019a;Ndobe et al, 2013bNdobe et al, , 2020Ndobe et al, 2018b;Talbot et al, 2013;Wiadnyana et al, 2020).…”

Interaction of salinity and natural feed on growth and survival rate of the Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) for ex-situ conservation development

“…In international trade, the Banggai cardinalfish is often abbreviated as BCF. The Banggai cardinalfish is endangered, as reported by several experts (Lunn & Moreau, 2004;Moore et al, 2012;Ndobe et al, 2019;Ndobe et al, 2020) as the fish are subjects to exploitative fishing, trade as an ornamental fish that is not controlled and its microhabitat is damaged. Therefore, the government encourages in-situ and ex-situ cultivation as a conservation effort.…”