Ethnoichthyology of the First Record of Spine Bahaba (Bahaba polykladiskos) from Muar, Johor, Malaysia

• Main Authors: Ilham-Norhakim, Mohd Lokman, Mohd Faudzir, Najmuddin, Hidayah, Haris, Othman, Nursyuhada, Ramli, Ramli, Sariyati Nur Hartini, Sariyati Nur Hartini, Rasul Abdullah, Halim Muhammad, Abdullah-Fauzi, Abdullah-Fauzi, Akmal, Fawwazah, Abdul-Latiff, Muhammad Abu Bakar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: QH Natural history
• Online Access: http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/12455/1/J17945_4ac8d7c4e085a0a053d3c4789a9379b0.pdf; http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/12455/; https://doi.org/10.33736/bjrst.5849.2024

The Spine Bahaba (Bahaba polykladiskos), locally known as 'Gelama Tirusan,' is a member of the Sciaenidae fish family that is distributed across Southeast Asia, reaching as far as North Australia. This species is renowned for its swim bladder, which produces a distinctive loud sound. Despite its distribution in Southeast Asia, no previous studies have reported the presence of the Spine Bahaba in Peninsular Malaysia. This research aims to document the first-ever record of B. polykladiskos in Muar River, Johor, and provide ethnoichthyological insights regarding this species. The ethnoichthyological data were collected using a convenience snowball sampling technique, involving the collection of information from communities residing in the Muar area. In total, 47 respondents participated in the study. The results indicate that a majority of the respondents were familiar with (98%) and had encountered (94%) B. polykladiskos in both the Muar River and the local fish market. The study also documented the demand and trade associated with B. polykladiskos in Muar, with recorded prices ranging from RM 20 to RM 11,500 per fish. Furthermore, this research provides an introductory description of the uses and perceived benefits of B. polykladiskos in traditional medicine, particularly in relation to sexual prowess among male respondents. The study successfully establishes a baseline information for B. polykladiskos in Peninsular Malaysia using an ethnoichthyological approach, thus extending the known geographical distribution of this distinctive species.