Getting to Know Salem and PufferFish: Interesting Facts from IPB University Lecturers

Who doesn’t know salem and pufferfish? Both are among the favorite dishes often found at fresh fish vendors or fast food stalls. Behind the deliciousness of their meat, what are the differences between the two in terms of morphology, feeding behavior, and reproductive patterns?

Kurnia Anggraini Rahmi, SPi, MSc, a lecturer at the Department of Aquaculture at IPB University, revealed the results of scientific studies on the morphology, feeding behavior, and reproductive patterns of these pelagic fish. 

Salem Fish
Kurnia explained that salem fish have a slender torpedo-shaped body with a blue-green back and a silvery belly. 

Its back is adorned with distinctive black transverse stripes, with a dorsal fin divided into two parts and a strongly forked tail fin that supports its ability to swim fast. Interestingly, this fish has no scales on its head and most of its body, except for the lateral line area.

Kurnia explained, “Salem fish reproduce gradually or in batches, with pelagic eggs and larvae,” she said. 

The reproductive cycle of salem fish begins in March with the maturation of the male gonads (late spermatogenesis), peaks in April to June during the process of spermiation, and then enters the post-spawning phase in July. 

For females, early vitelogenesis occurs in March, continuing in May, and the post-spawning phase also occurs in July. The spawning season is estimated to last from late May to mid-July, peaking in June.

Male vs Female Pufferfish
Meanwhile, pufferfish are generally known to have two types: male pufferfish and female pufferfish. This designation is purely a local name and has nothing to do with gender. Both male and female pomfrets have both male and female genders.

Male pomfrets, commonly known as Banjar pomfrets (Rastrelliger kanagurta), are characterized by a single black spot near the pectoral fin. This fish lives in groups in coastal areas and open waters and feeds on large plankton, copepods, and crustaceans. 

Kurnia added that this pufferfish has large gill rakers to filter relatively large plankton. Spawning occurs more than once in a season, with eggs being released gradually.

Female pufferfish (Rastrelliger brachysoma) have flatter bodies than males, with golden backs and distinctive black spots. 

“Another distinguishing feature is the finer structure of the gill rakers, as they feed on small plankton such as diatoms and copepod larvae,” explained Kurnia.

This fish reaches first gonadal maturity at a fork length of approximately 156,6 mm for females and 160,3 mm for males. (dr) (IAAS/LAN)