The Current Status of Small Indigenous Fish Species (SIS) of River Gorai, a Distributary of the River Ganges, Bangladesh

Hanif Ma,Alam Mj,Chaklader Mr,Mahmud S,Rumpa Rj,Nahar A,Siddik Mab

doi:10.4172/2332-2543.1000162

Abstract

Small indigenous fish species (SIS) play a vital role in providing animal protein sources for human. The Gorai river, a Ganges tributary is a habitat of considerable number of SIS. A total of 11040 individual from 40 species were collected belonging 7 orders and 19 families using 5 fishing nets and 1 fish trap of which 2 species were critically endangered, 7 endangered, 7 species vulnerable, 18 species not threatened, 2 data deficient and 4 species were not in evaluated category. Dominant orders were Cypriniformes and Perciformes each contained 12 species, dominant family was Cyprinidae (11 species) and most dominant species was Chela cachius (2253 individuals). Diversity indices ranges from Simpson’s dominance index (0.06-0.09), Simpson’s index (0.91-0.94), Shannon Weiner index (3.08-3.24), Evenness (0.56-0.66), Menhinick’s index (0.61-0.67), Margalef’s index (4.48-4.77), Equitability (0.84-0.89) and Fisher alpha (5.86-6.31), respectively. Highest numbers (38) of SIS were caught by set bag net. Maximum total length 4.6 cm of Corica soborna was the new record. Considering the nutritional importance and reducing number of SIS inhabiting in the river Gorai, the present study aimed at documentation of SIS, their threatened status and conservation of SIS through laws and regulations.

Highlights

Small indigenous fish species (SIS) is denoted the species of fish which can grow to a maximum size of 25 cm or 9 inches in their mature or adult stage of lifecycle [1]
Certain species were found throughout the year (TY) either in large amount (LTY) or small amount (STY) but some species were very rare (*) including O. cotio, P. chola, S. sarana, P. ticto, E. danricus, B. dario, A. testudineus, B. badis, L. guntea, C. gachua, C. punctatus, M. vittatus, C. garua, S. silondia and H. fossilis
Thirteen species of SIS were rarely found in the study areas including Osteobrama cotio, Puntius chola, Systomus sarana, Puntius sophore, Pethia ticto, Botia dario, Anabas testudineus, Badis badis, Lepidocephalichthys gunte, Channa gachua, Channa punctatus, Mystus vittatus, Clupisoma garua, Silonia silondia, and Hateropneustes fossilis of which Systomus sarana and Clupisoma garua were critically endangered

Summary

Introduction

Small indigenous fish species (SIS) is denoted the species of fish which can grow to a maximum size of 25 cm or 9 inches in their mature or adult stage of lifecycle [1]. About 260 indigenous freshwater fish species are available in Bangladesh of which 143 has been reported as SIS. These species have been considered as an excellent source of essential protein, macro and micro-nutrients, vitamins and minerals, which can play a significant role in the fulfilment of nutritional deficiency in human being [2]. A huge number of small indigenous species of fishes are under threatened condition due to frequent decline in the water area of Bangladesh but there is a lack of concern over this constant decline of SIS biodiversity. Considering future prospects of SIS in Bangladesh, the present study was aimed to focus on the diversity, seasonal abundance, impacts of fishing gears and conservation of SIS in the river Gorai, Bangladesh

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion