Abstract
The objectives of the present study were to determine the size distribution, growth pattern, feeding habit and stomach fullness index of bullet tuna Auxis rochei in the Makassar Strait, West Sulawesi. The research was conducted for six months between March and August 2017. Sampling collection was carried out using the handline technique. A total of 2160 fish were caught. Their total length ranged from 15.8 to 28.5 cm and weight ranged from 52.3 to 366.5 g. The total length of male fish ranged from 18.5 to 28.5 cm and weight ranged from 77.5 to 366.5 g. The total length of female fish ranged from 15.8 to 27.5 cm and weight ranged from 52.3 to 328.8 g. The growth pattern of bullet tuna for both male and female fish was classified into a positive allometry (b>3); the type of food found in the fish gut consisted of crustacean (12.50% to 25.64%), chepalopods (7.32 to 34.80%) and unidentified (47.69 to 64.51%), respectively. Nonetheless, the predominant food condition was not identified and in the gut there was generally no food present. The stomach fullness index ranged from 1.13% to 7.18%, ¾ (12.11 to 15.74%), ½ (12.27 to 23.14%) and empty (59.26 to 65.74%). The length size distribution of male bullet tuna was larger than the female with a positive allometric growth pattern. However, the growth pattern of male and female bullet tuna statistically showed no difference.