Fish diversity, physicochemical parameters of soil and water, length-weight relationships and condition factor of fishes of Urbashi Dam Karak, KPK, Pakistan

Abstract

Biodiversity is the difference between life forms that highlights the abundance and significance of living organisms in the ecosystem. Physiochemical parameters of water and soil have utmost importance in the dispersion of aquatic life and also in the breeding of aquatic organisms. Studies on the length-weight relationship are very important to fishing biology and stock assessment of fisheries resources. This research was carried out to elaborate on fish diversity, physicochemical parameters of water and soil, length-weight relationships (LWR) and condition factor (K) of fishes of the Urbashi dam in Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkawa, Pakistan. Fish samples were obtained by the help of local fisherman through nets, gill nets, drag nets, and cast nets from October 2020 to July 2021. The specimens were preserved in a 10% formalin solution. The length and weight of fish samples were determined with the help of a measuring tape and a digital balance. The physiochemical parameters like conductivity, PH, temperature, color, taste, TS, and TDS of water and soil were examined by collecting (n=3) samples from different sites of the Urbashi dam, i.e., the start, mid, and end. During the current research study, 7 species belonging to family Cyprinidae were known at species level. The obtained values of each parameter such as conductivity, PH, temperature, color, taste, TS and TDS of water and soil were compared with the standared values set by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the findings of this study, all physiochemical parameters were found to be within permissible ranges and non-harmful for culturing and growing fishes, as recommended by the (WHO). Labeo rohita and Tor khudree had positive allometric growth in the length-weight relationship (LWR), while Catla catla, Cirrhinus mrigala, Hypopthalmichthys molitrix, and Cyprinus carpio had negative allometric growth and Carassius auratus had isometric growth.The highest value of condition factor (K) was recorded in Carassius auratus, while the lowest was in Catla catla. Hence, the study explore useful information of ichthyofauna of Urbashi dam, which is beneficial for fisheries management as well as for further research. After analysis, it was concluded from the results that the physiochemical parameters of the water and soil of Urbashi dam lie within a suitable range which is suggested by WHO for fish growth, survival, and reproduction. Hence, the study aimed to enhance some more information in the aquaculture department of the country to narrate the population conditions of the fish species in the Urbashi dam.