Composition and Diversity of Fish Fauna in Rambungan Mangrove Area

Estuarine or the mangrove ecosystems are known for its importance and its high productivity. One of the valuable properties of mangrove ecosystems is its fish fauna. This study was carried out to determine the diversity of fish community at Rambungan mangrove area, Sarawak. Three field sampling were carried out on 5 October 2007, 10 December 2007 and 11" March 2008 at five selected stations in the study area. A total of 171 individuals comprising 27 fish families and 43 species were recorded in the study area. Twenty four percent of the number of individuals caught was from family the Ariidae, 14% each from family Apogonidae and Clupeidae, 11 % from Leiognathidae, 6% and 5% from family Carangidae and Hemiramphidae respectively. Most of the fish caught were small in size and are still at their juvenile stage. This showed that Rambungan mangrove area contributes substantially as a nursery as well as refuge and feeding areas for variety of fish species