INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The Philippines has about 3,269 fishes, 348 of which thrive in

freshwater environments (Froese and Pauly 2011). A number of

these species are commercially important and some are used for

subsistence fisheries. Of the 116 fishes endemic to the

Philippines, 83 are found in freshwater. Some of these endemic

species are considered endangered and a few have become extinct

because of anthropogenic disturbances.

The Philippines is a globally important hotspot for biological

diversity and center for endemism, but much of the studies are

centered in terrestrial and marine biodiversity (Mallari et al.

2001; Ong et al. 2002). Little is known about the diversity and

status of endemic freshwater fishes which are equally valuable as

bio-indicators of ecosystem health and an integral part of our

country’s natural heritage (Vallejo 1986; Ng et al. 1998).

The freshwater fish fauna of the Philippines is still

superficially known. Most of the studies were conducted in the

early 20th century (Day, 1914; Herre, 1924). Lack of awareness is

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partly responsible for the destruction of aquatic habitats (e.g.

conversion of marshes, swamps, lakes, etc. into agricultural

land).

Swamp is a body of water that has water during rainy season.

Swamp-based fish is one of the uncommon types of fish that needs

to be studied. Identify and classify it according to its physical

characteristics. Taxonomy plays a fundamental role in species

conservation since accurate identification of a species is a

basic prerequisite to its proper management (Mace 2004).

In Nueva Ecija, the swamp in Brgy. La Fuente, Santa Rosa does not

have received research attention (pers. obs). The lack of concern

for freshwater fish is possibly due to the more diverse

freshwater sites in the province, which attracted more attention

from scientists.

Objectives

This study generally aims to have an over-all taxonomical survey

of swamp based fish in Purok 2, Brgy. La Fuente, Santa Rosa Nueva

Ecija.

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Specifically, the study aimed to identify and classify the

different species of swamp-based fish that was collected.

Significance of the study

Freshwater specifically swamp in Purok 2, Brgy. La Fuente, Santa

Rosa Nueva Ecija had been in existence for a short period of

time. Because of that, there are no studies conducted regarding

its ecological features and living organisms specifically fish.

This study was the first step in discovering the organisms living

in the swamp.

This special problem was conducted in order to have an access on

the inventory of the available freshwater fishes. Any information

that was obtained in the swamp would be a great help in assessing

the biodiversity of freshwater fishes and educating the people on

the concept of sustainable fishing for their own benefit.

Scope and Limitations

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The study focused on taxonomical survey of swamp based fish. In

mapping the swamp, only the overview of the swamp was taken due

to inadequate equipment. The study was conducted in swamp of

Purok 2, Brgy. La Fuente, Santa Rosa Nueva Ecija. The research

was started on July 27, 2013 and finished on September 25, 2013.

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REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Related Literatures and Studies

The quantification of specific characteristics of an individual,

or group of individuals can demonstrate the degree of speciation

induced by both biotic and abiotic conditions, and contribute to

the definition of different stock of species (Bailey, 1997).

Unlike open terrestrial ecosystems, freshwater ecosystems are

more or less closed systems; the connectivity of each pond, lake,

and watershed with each other is limited, often creating distinct

unique faunas within a small geographical range. However, at the

same time, freshwater ecosystems have a close association with

human activities such as the use for local water supplies,

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natural resource development (e.g., aquaculture), commercial

navigation,

and recreation (Colautti et al. 2003).

Many unique species of freshwater fishes, particularly gobies,

pipefishes and halfbeaks are known to be restricted only to

isolated lakes and rivers in major islands in the Philippines,

but their current status in these beleaguered freshwater habitats

is not known (Herre 1953; Butler 2006).

Clarias batrachus popularly known as catfish is an air breathing

fish and well adapted to adverse ecological conditions. They

normally inhabit in swamps, marshy and derelict waters. These

water bodies are usually shallow with heavy silt of decaying

vegetation and organic load with poor nutrient release. Besides,

these water bodies have low pH, oxygen and primary productivity

high carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, methane and free ammonia,

and this type of adverse environment is quite insensitive to the

above airbreathing slow growing, hardy omnivorous fishes

(CAFF,2006).

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The sea catfishes Arius manillensis Valenciennes, 1840 and Arius dispar

Herre, 1926 are commercially important to local fishery in the

Philippines. A. manillensis is endemic to the Philippines and

although A. dispar is native to this country, it is also found in

other parts of the world. These two species are locally known as

kanduli. In the 1920s kanduli used to be the most abundant fishes in

Laguna de Bay, a 90,000-ha lake which is the largest in the

Philippines (Mane 1929; Aldaba 1931; Mercene 1978). A downward

trend in the abundance of kanduli, however, was noted in the 1930s

(Villadolid 1932; Villadolid 1934) until the 1960s when kanduli was

reported to be very rare (Delmendo & Bustillo 1968). The

depletion of this fishery resource was attributed largely to the

use of drag seine, a destructive fishing method, which catches

even the immature fish and disturbs the habitat of bottom-

dwellers including kanduli and other benthos that serve as food for

kanduli (Villadolid 1932; Villadolid 1934; Mercene 1978). In the

mid-1990s, it seemed that the population of kanduli in Laguna de

Bay has recovered because in terms of yield, kanduli ranked third

after tilapia and bighead carp (Palma et al. 2002). Although the

population of kanduli has recovered, the yield to biomass ratio

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indicated that it is being overfished (Palma et al. 2002). Hence,

there is a need to conduct more studies on the populations of

these economically important fishery resources for the

construction of proper management and conservation programs. To

date, there are only a few studies that have been conducted on

these species. Mane (1929) conducted a preliminary study on its

life history and habits, but all the other studies were on its

catch landing statistics and fisheries (Aldaba 1931; Villadolid

1932; Villadolid 1934; Mercene 1978).

Tilapia fish is an indigenous African fish that is widely

cultivated especially in Asia and the Middle East (Machena &

Moehl, 2001).

The snake skin gourami Trichogaster pectoralis is one of the most

common air breathing fish in indo china peninsula (Burggren and

Haswell 1979; Rainboth 1996; Kottelat 2001), its distribution

having been increased due to introduction to neighboring

countries, eg. Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and the Papua

New Guine, where breeding populations are of the species are now

established (West and Glucksman 1976; Welcome 1998; Juliano et

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al. 1989). The species is often found in rice paddies, ditches

and streams with dense vegetation (Rainboth 1996; Vidthayonon

2002). Anabantoidei has long been a systematically contentious

taxonomic group, in view of species diversification and

revolutionary ecology (Ruber et al. 2006)

The freshwater fishes belonging to the genus Anabas Cuvier, 1816

are distributed throughout the oriental region.

At least 20 species of endemic non-commercial freshwater fishes

are known to occur in Southern Luzon, and their possible

sustainable use, socio-cultural and eco-tourism value to local

communities have not been tapped (Gonzalez 2006; Froese and Pauly

2007). And much of the research done on freshwater ecosystems

locally is focused on commercially important fishes (Samonte et

al. 2004); however, the implications presented for equally

valuable endemic species to ichthyology and environmental science

were apparently overlooked (Santiago et al. 2001). Impending loss

of these diminutive but integral components of the aquatic food

web may have detrimental effects on the natural balance of

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freshwater ecosystems, notwithstanding the economic potentials of

these species in local fisheries – especially in the multi-

million tropical fish industry (Guerrero 2002; Grist 2007).

Continued threats from pollution, erosion and introduction of

invasive species pose a level of uncertainty on the survival of

these endemic fishes, coupled with the lack of local

concern/education or stable protection (Bagarinao 2001; Diesmos

et al. 2004; Cagauan 2007).

Understanding the relationships between fishes and their habitats

is important for conservation and resource management. Habitat

characteristics of water bodies influence feeding reproduction

and survival of fish species by effecting the physiology,

behavior and genetics (Schoener, 1974; Southwood, 1977). Several

researchers (Penezak and Mann, 1990; Rahel and Hubert, 1991;

Oberdoff and Hughes, 1992; Oberdoff and Porcher, 1992; Barreto

and Uieda, 1998; Uieda and Barreto, 1999) have reported a

correspondence between fish and environmental variables.

Development of strategies through habitat protection, captive-

breeding and local education is vital to the conservation of

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these potentially endangered endemic fishes. Consequently,

surveys done in other Southeast Asian countries led to the

description of many new species, and subsequent surveys on

selected lakes and rivers of the country may reveal similar new

discoveries (Kottelat et al. 1993; Watson & Kottelat 2006).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study Site

Barangay La Fuente, Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija is located 42.1 km

southwest of Central Luzon State University, Science City of

Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. The swamp is located near the river and has

kangkong plant (Ipomoea aquatica).

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Figure 1. Satellite view of the research site in Barangay La Fuente, SR,NE. (Source: maps.google.com.ph)

Figure 2. Actual photo of the research site

Collection

The researcher collected five (5) species of fish in the swamp of

Purok 2, Brgy. La Fuente, Santa Rosa Nueva Ecija.

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The researchers used two (2) gill nets. The two nets were put

across the swamp in different locations for one day, then, the

water with kangkong plant (Ipomoea aquatica) was disturbed in order

for the fish to move and be

caught by the net.

Figure 3. Setting of gill net 1 across the swamp.

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Figure 4. Setting of gill net 2 across the swamp.

Measurements

The collected specimen is subjected to measurement for

morphometric of the fish. The researchers used ruler to take all

the measurements necessary for the study.

Identification

The researchers went to Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

(BFAR) and used the website fishbase.org in order to identify and

classify the collected species of fish.

Preservation

The identified specimens were put into the glass jars with 10%

formaldehyde to preserve. The researchers diluted the 35%

formalin to make 10%. Formalin with 10% concentration is the

common dilution used in preserving biological specimen.

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Results

The results of the study yielded relevant data about the species

of freshwater fish present in the swamp. The distinguishing

characteristics of different fishes are the basis of

identification and classification.

Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: Chordata

Class: ActinopterygiiOrder: Perciformes

Family: CichlidaeGenus: Oreochromis

Species: O. niloticus Linnaeus Common Name: Tilapia

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Figure 5. Oreochromis niloticus specimen

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-

13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 30 - 32.

Diagnosis: jaws of mature male not greatly enlarged (length of

lower jaw 29-37 % of head length). Most distinguishing

characteristic is the presence of regular vertical stripes

throughout depth of caudal fin (fishbase.org).

Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: Chordata

Class: ActinopterygiiOrder: Perciformes

Family: OsphronemidaeGenus: Trichogaster

Species: T. pectoralis Regan

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Common Name: Snake Skin Gourami

Figure 6. Trichogaster pectoralis specimen

The snakeskin gourami is an elongated, moderately compressed fish

with a small dorsal fin. Its anal fin is nearly the length of the

body and the pelvic fins are long and thread-like. The back

is olive in color and the flanks are greenish gray with a

silver iridescence. An obvious, irregular black band extends from

the snout, through the eye, and to the caudal peduncle. The rear

part of the body may be marked with faint transverse stripes. The

fins are also gray-green, and the iris of the eye may be amber

under favorable water conditions. Juvenile snakeskin gouramis

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have strikingly strong zig-zag lines from the eye to the base of

the tail.

Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: Chordata

Class: ActinopterygiiOrder: Perciformes

Family: AnabantidaeGenus: Anabas

Species: A. testudineus Bloch Common Name: Liwalo

Figure 7. Anabas testudineus specimen

Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 20; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-

10; Anal spines: 9-11; Anal soft rays: 8 - 11. Color in life dark

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to pale greenish, very pale below, back dusky to olive; head with

longitudinal stripes ventrally; posterior margin of opercle with

a dark spot; iris golden reddish. Body form variable, affected by

age and amount of food consumed. Scaled head with 4-5 rows

between eye and rear margin of preoperculum. Scales are large and

regularly arranged ciliate.

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata

Class: ActinopterygiiOrder: Suliformes

Family: ClariidaeGenus: Clarias

Species: C. batrachus Linnaeus Common Name: Thai Catfish

Figure 8. Clarias

batrachus specimen

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Walking catfish has an elongated body shape, the body is mainly

colored a gray or grayish brown. This catfish has long-

based dorsal and anal fins as well as several pairs of

sensory barbels. The skin is scaleless but covered with mucus,

which protects the fish when it is out of water. The

distinguishing characteristic of C. batrachus is the semi-ponited

occipital suture found in its nape.

Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: Chordata

Class: ActinopterygiiOrder: Suliformes

Family: AriidaeGenus: Arius

Species: A. manillensis Valenciennes Common

Name: Kanduli

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Figure 9. Arius manillensis specimen

Kanduli has an elongated body shape that is mainly colored white

and silvery black with several sensory barbels. Its tails and

fins are red in color. The skin is scaleless but covered

with mucus, which protects the fish when it is out of water.

Fish Composition

Table 1. Number of specimens collected.

Specimen Quantity

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Tilapia - Oreochromis niloticus

Linnaeus

1

Snake Skin Gourami - Trichogasterpectoralis Regan

1

Liwalo - Anabas testudineus Bloch 1

Cat Fish - Clarias batrachus

Linnaeus

1

Kanduli - Arius manillensisValenciennes

1

Total 5

A total of five specimens belonging to five species from five

genus to five families under two orders were collected in the

swamp of Brgy. La Fuente, Santa Rosa Nueva Ecija and identified

(see appendices for authentication letter). Four specimens

(Tilapia - Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus; Snake Skin Gourami -

Trichogaster pectoralis Regan; Cat Fish - Clarias batrachus Linnaeus;

Kanduli - Arius manillensis Valenciennes) were caught by the gill net

in the area 1 and one specimen (Liwalo - Anabas testudineus Bloch) in

the gill net in the area 2.

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SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary

This study used sampling techniques to gain the most

comprehensive understanding of fish species present in swamps of

Brgy. La Fuente Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija. Gill netting is used to

catch medium-sized fishes.

The swamp of Brgy. La Fuente Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija showed a

diverse array of freshwater fish fauna. Five specimens belonging

to five species from five genus to five families under two orders

were collected in the swamp. Four specimens (Tilapia - Oreochromis

niloticus Linnaeus, Snake Skin Gourami - Trichogaster pectoralis Regan,

Cat Fish - Clarias batrachus Linnaeus, Kanduli - Arius manillensis

Valenciennes) were caught by the gill net in the area 1 and one

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specimen (Liwalo - Anabas testudineus Bloch) in the gill net in the

area 2.

The length and girth of tilapia is 18.5cm and 7cm respectively;

kanduli, 25cm in length and 4 cm in girth; gourami, 16cm in

length and 4.7cm in girth; liwalo, 14.5cm in length and 4.1cm in

girth and hito, 13.7 in length and 2.2 in girth.

Conclusion

The swamp of Brgy. La Fuente Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija, although

it is not that diverse as compared to other freshwaters in Nueva

Ecija, still, it supports life. Environmental factors like the

presence of kangkong plant and lack of water could have influence

the species composition of the swamp. Although the current scope

of the study is limited to the swamp of Brgy. La Fuente, this

survey can serve as a model for initiating further research on

freshwater fishes in other freshwater environments.

Recommendation

The researchers recommend to the future researchers to do the

following:

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1. Use other nets like seine net and hook and line in catching

fish in order to catch fish that are too small to be caught

by the gill net.

2. Consider other swamps in the region for possible study area

to compare the different species of fish present in

different environment.

3. The external factors like, water temperature, water depth

etc. could be measure during the study to determine its

effects on the presence of fish.

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REFERENCES

Agustin, H.D., A Preliminary Survey on Morphological and Taxonomical Analysis and Inventory of Freshwater Fishes in Lake Paitan, Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija. College of Fisheries, Central Luzon State University

Cervancia, M., Kottelat, M., Cyclocheilichthys schoppeae, A New SpeciesOf Freshwater Fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) From Northern Palawan, Philippines

Paller, V.G.P., Labatos, B.V. Jr., Lontoc, B.M, Matalog, O.E., Ocampo, P.P., Freshwater Fish Fauna in Watersheds of Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve, Laguna, Philippines, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of the Philippines-Los Baños

Quilang, J.P., Jazzlyn M. Tango, Jose Timothy Martin L. Chua, Alison Faye O. Chan, Johann Iraj H. Montemayor, Reynand Jay C. Canoy, Adrian U. Luczon, Ian Kendrich C. Fontanilla, Zubaida U. Basiao, and Perry S. Ong DNA Barcoding of Philippine Fishes: Status and Preliminary Analysis, GeneticsResearch Laboratory, Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines, 1101 Diliman, QuezonCity, Philippines

Santos, B.S., Quilang, J.P., Geometric Morphometric Analysis of Arius manillensis and Arius dispar (Siluriformes: Ariidae) Populationsin Laguna de Bay, Philippines, Genetics Research Laboratory, Institute of Biology, College of Science,

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University of the Philippines, 1101 Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

Yakubu, A. & Okunsebor, S. A., Morphometric differentiation of two Nigerian fish species (Oreochromis niloticus and Lates niloticus)using principal components and discriminant analysis. Int. J. Morphol., 29(4):1429-1434, 2011.

fishbase.org

www.wikipedia.org

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APPENDICES

The formula used for dilution:

C1V1=C2V2

C1 = desired concentration

V1 = water volume

C2 = formalin concentration

V2 = formalin volume

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Morphometric

Table 2. Measurements taken from the specimens.

Tilapia Kanduli Gourami Liwalo Hito

Length 18.5 25 16 14.5 13.7Girth 7 4 4.7 4.1 2.2Pectoralfin

6 3.4 3 2.6 1.8

Spine 1.5Dorsalfin Spinous

2 1.1 1

Soft 3 Height

4.6 1.1

Length

2.3 1.9 8.6

Pelvicfin

3.7 2.3 9.1 2.1 1

Anal fin 3.1 3.2 1.3 Height

.8

Length

5.4

Tail fin Length

3.4 3.4 3 3.2 1.8

Width 6 1.5Lateralline

8 12.2 8.8 4.3 9.6

Head 5 5.8 3.5 3.6 3.5Barbels 10.3 Nose 4.3 2.6

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Mouth 2.4 5 Lowermouth 1st

1.1 3.9

Lowermouth 2nd

2.6

Note: The following units of measurement are expressed in

centimeter.

Preservation

The following pictures show the preserved fish specimen immersed

into 10% formaldehyde.

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Figure 10. Preserved Kanduli Figure 11. PreservedTilapia

Figure 12. Preserved Liwalo Figure 13. PreservedGourami

Figure 14. Preserved Hito

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