ANALISIS PARAMETER POPULASI DAN BIOLOGI REPRODUKSI IKAN KOTAK KUNING Ostracion cubicus Linnaeus, 1758 UNTUK MENDUKUNG PEMANFAATAN SECARA BERKELANJUTAN DI PERAIRAN SELAT MAKASSAR = ANALYSIS OF POPULATION PARAMETERS AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF THE YELLOW BOX FISH Ostracion cubicus Linnaeus, 1758 TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE UTILIZATION IN WATERS MAKASSAR STRAIT

ABSTRACT Putri Yuni Rahmani. L032212005 “Analysis of Population Parameters and Reproductive Biology of Yellow Boxfish Ostracion cubicus Linnaeus, 1758 to Support Sustainable Utilization in Makassar Strait Waters” guided by Ambo Tuwo and Andi Iqbal Burhanuddin. Background: Yellow boxfish Ostracion cubicus is widely distributed in the world's coral reef ecosystems, but studies on population parameters and reproductive biology are still lacking. Objectives: To study the population parameters and reproductive biology of yellow boxfish in the Makassar Strait Waters. Methods: This study used an exploratory method by sampling O. cubicus monthly at the Paotere Fish Landing, Makassar City, using the accidental sampling technique. The parameters measured were morphometric meristics, total length, total weight, food weight, intestine weight, sex ratio, stage maturity, gonadosomatic index (GSI), and first maturity. Results: O. cubicus reach a length of 39.9 cm. O. cubicus has a relatively slow growth rate. The exploitation rate of O. cubicus is still below 0.5. Recruitment occurs twice a year. The Y'/R value of 0.02 at an exploitation rate of 0.43 for O. cubicus indicates that the catch per recruit is relatively low. The sex ratio of O. cubicus is balanced between males and females. O. cubicus spawns from July to December. O. cubicus begins to mature gonads at a length class of 19.0 cm. The highest GSI is in August (spawning season), and the lowest is in January and February (post-spawning season). The spawning season is associated with months of low rainfall and high water temperatures. The onset of gonad maturity is almost the same, at 26.3 cm in males and 25.0 cm in females. Conclusion: The exploitation rate of 0.43 indicates that the catch per recruit is relatively low. The sex ratio is balanced between males and females. O. cubicus spawns from July to December. O. cubicus begins to mature gonads at a length of 19.0 cm. The highest GSI is in August (spawning season), and the lowest is around January and February (post-spawning season). First maturity of males and females is almost the same. Although there is still potential to increase catches, caution must be exercised because O. cubicus has a slow growth rate.