Size distribution and growth pattern of Holothuria atra and Holothuria scabra in the coastal waters of Morella, Central Maluku Indonesia

Abstract

Research to study size distribution and growth pattern of sea cucumber was conducted in the coastal waters of Morella, Central Maluku Indonesia on April to September 2018. Sampling with replacement method was used in this study. Sea cucumber collected was let to relax about 10 minutes and then measured. Length was measured from the tip of the mouth to tip of the anus to nearest mm using plastic ruler while weight was weighted to nearest 0.1g by using digital balance. Totally, there were 114 individuals of Holothuria atraand 111 individuals of H. scabra collected during the research. Length of H. atra and H. scabra ranged from 9.6 to 31.6 cm and 7.5-28.0 cm, respectively while their weight ranged from 26.0 g to 201.0 g and 38.0 to137.6 g, respectively. Analysis of length weight relationship showed that H. atra as well as H. scabra had negative allometric growth pattern.