Fish diversity of Nepal has been poorly studied or understood relative to other fauna, so a lot of study is still required to have a better fish diversity profile. We investigated ichthyofaunal diversity on one of the unexplored rivers, Dewmai Khola which lies in mid-hill region of Ilam district in eastern Nepal. Fishes were collected from three sampling sites in day time by using a cast net with the help of local fisherman. The field visits were performed from December2015 to September 2016. A total of 16 fish species belonging to 3 orders, 6 families and 11genera have been recorded. The Cypriniformes was the dominant order represented by 3families: 1) Cyprinidae with 7 species (Cirrhinus mrigala, Barilius barila, B. bendelisis, Bengalaelanga, Danio aequipinnatus, Schizothoraichthys labiatus and Garra gotyla), 2) Cobitidae with5 species (Schistura multifasciatus, S. horai, S. scaturigina, S. savona and S. rupecula) and3) Psilorhynchidae with a single species Psilorhynchus pseudecheneis. The Perciformes was represented by two families with a single species in each: Belontidae (Colisa fasciatus) and Channidae (Channa stewartii). The Siluriformes was represented by a single family Sisoridae with a single species Glyptothorax pectinopterus.
The fishes (Naziritor chelynoides) were collected in different months with the help of local devices (cast net and tiyari). The collected specimens were dissected in the laboratory and their gut contents were analyzed dividing food items (dietary items) into different groups viz., algae, diatoms, insects and fragments etc. The gut of fish consisted of different dietary items (plant origin and animal origin) indicating Naziritor chelynoides as an omnivorous fish. The average percentage of algae was found as 27.89 and average percentage of insects, diatoms and fragments were found as 20.15, 19.26 and 3.61 respectively. Water quality analysis of the Mardi khola (study area) revealed that the transparency of the water was crystal clear except in the rainy season. The dissolved oxygen was found in an optimum level (12.65mg/ l). The average temperature of the river was found as 19.12°C and the average pH was found as 8.41 during the study period.Key words: Feeding habits; Mardi Khola; omnivorous; water quality analysisJournal of Natural History Museum Vol. 23, 2008 Page 98-107
This study explored fish diversity in the Kankai River of the Jhapa district. Fishes were collected by cast net (mesh 0.5cm) from three sampling sites: Domukha, Kotihom and Bengdada in rainy and winter seasons. Water temperature, pH and water velocity were recorded at each site. A total of 20 fish species belonging to 4 orders and eight families were recorded. Cypriniformes has recorded as the dominant order with 16 species, followed by Siluriformes with two species and Perciformes, and Synbranchiformes with a single species each. The value of Shannon’s diversity Index (H’) was higher in winter (3.06; Domukha) than a rainy season (1.06; Bengdada), indicating higher diversity in winter than rainy season. Only a slight variation in pH was recorded during the study period, i.e. 7.9 (highest) and 7.8 (lowest). The highest and the lowest temperatures recorded in the rainy season were 280C and 270C, and that of winter were 170C and 150C. The highest and the lowest water current recorded in the rainy season were 0.75 m/s and 0.68 m/s, and that of winter were 0.55 m/s and 0.52 m/s. It should be noted that to have comprehensive fish diversity status, future investigation covering more seasons and more sampling sites is essential.
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