Ichthyofaunal diversity of various water bodies of Kokrajhar district, BTAD, Assam

Abstract

Background: Kokrajhar district of Assam is endowed with myriads of rivers and beels which in turn house a rich
variety of fish species. Methodology: The present study deals with the extensive ichthyological field survey
conducted over a period of one year from June 2014 to May 2015. Results: The survey revealed the occurrence of
inexplicable diversity of fishes representing 77 species distributed under ---9 orders, 26 families and 53 genera.
Labeo genus with 7 species was the most diverse followed by the genus Channa with 6 species. The fishes were
divided into seven broad categories namely Indian major/minor carps, Exotic carps established in Assam, Live fishes,
Cat fishes, Feather back, ornamental fishes and river fishes representing 10, 4, 10, 23, 2, 18 and 10 species
respectively. Out of the 77 species recorded 74 were considered as food fish while only 3 species viz. Erethistes
pusillus, Tetradon cutcutia and Aplocheilus panchax as not food fishes, 36 were commercially important food fish.
Chitala chitala and Tor tor had sport values in addition of being commercially important food fish. Conservation
status revealed that Tor putitora was the only fish species that was under endangered category. Apart from this a total
of 2, 10, 47, 16 and 1 species represented vulnerable, near threatened, least concerned, not evaluated and data
deficient categories respectively