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Ayer Hitam Utara State Park Forest (AHUSPF) is an invaluable sanctuary in Johor, the last remaining intact peat swamp forest reserve that hosts many species unique to this distinctive habitat. Some rapid surveys conducted from 2019 to 2022 recorded 40 species of freshwater fish within AHUSPF. Notably, 11 are stenotopic to acid blackwater, and 12 are stenotopic to acid water, most belonging to the family Osphronemidae and Danionidae. The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List has designated two species, Encheloclarias curtisoma and Betta persephone, as Endangered, while Betta omega is classified as Critically Endangered. The checklist presented herein was first produced from an inventory study in AHUSPF. The preservation of peat swamp forests in the area is under imminent threat due to the alarming rate of land conversion, forest fires, and the recent potential threat from the red-claw crayfish invasion in the aquatic environment. Hence, continuous monitoring is vital for documenting and updating the conservation status of the fish species. These endeavours will facilitate the development of practical conservation approaches to ensure the long-term sustainability of AHUSPF and its associated species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey on fish diversity was conducted at eight streams flowing into Muda Reservoir, one of the three reservoirs in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, Kedah. Forty-nine species from 24 fish families, including 10 new records for the area were recorded bringing the total number of fish species identified known to date to 63 species. Cypriniforms were the most dominant group of fish with 27 species, followed by siluriforms and anabantiforms with 11 and 10 species, respectively. A little-known species, Tuberoschistura baenzigeri, was reported for the first time in the west coast region of Peninsular Malaysia. This study was far from complete, but the results should be useful for local fisheries managers to manage the fish resources in Muda Reservoir and its tributaries for conservation and the benefit of local inland fishermen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The length-weight relationship and relative condition factor of five freshwater fish species were investigated at tributaries of Muda Reservoir, Ulu Muda Forest Reserve. A total of 2,168 specimens were sampled from October 2014 to October 2015 using cast nets. The length-weight relationship and relative condition factor were analyzed for Rasbora myersi (Seluang), Mystacoleucus obtusirostris (Sia), Barbodes binotatus (Tebal sisik), Cyclocheilichthys apogon (Temperas) and Osteochilus vittatus (Terbui). The growth coefficient (b) values from the length-weight equation (W=aLb) were 2.816 for R. myersi (negative allometric), 3.142 for M. obtusirostris (positive allometric), 3.020 for B. binotatus (isometric), 3.203 for C. apogon (positive allometric) and 3.085 for O. vittatus (isometric). The mean relative condition factor values of these species ranged from 1.04 ± 0.003 for R. myersi to 2.38 ± 0.017 for C. apogon, signifying that environmental condition of Muda Reservoir is favourable for the growth of these species. Hopefully, the findings from this study could be used as baseline data for future studies on growth pattern of these fish species, as well as for geographical comparison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like many other countries, reservoirs in Malaysia are primarily built for various functions such as hydroelectric power generation, drinking water supply, flood mitigation and irrigation for agricultural purposes. Artisanal fisheries activities were also performed in these reservoirs. The freshwater fish are a requisite source of protein for the rural population. Consequently, the fish resources in reservoirs should be carefully maintained at sustainable level. Present study elucidates the preliminary assessment on autecological studies of beardless barb, Cyclocheilichthys apogon as a model of fish biota in Muda Reservoir. This research investigates the growth pattern of C. apogon using length-weight relationship and their condition factor. A total of 307 specimens were captured using cast net for six consecutive months from March 2014 until August 2014. The growth coefficient (b) from the length-weight equation (W = aL b ) for male and female of C. apogon were 3.150 and 3.185, respectively, indicating positive allometric growth. The condition factor values of male and female of C. apogon were 1.023 ± 0.111 and 1.026 ± 0.100, respectively, suggesting that C. apogon is in good condition in Muda Reservoir. The paucity of research on the autecological study in the Muda Reservoir contributes to the main reason of performing this research. The findings will serve as baseline information of this species in Muda Reservoir, as well as for comparative study in the future.