Species Diversity, Distribution and Status of Fishes in Tinau River, Nepal

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the fish diversity, distribution, abundance and status of fishes in Tinau River. The Tinau River supports for the habitat of many fresh water fishes of many types like carps, barbs, minnows, catfishes, eels etc. The study was focused on the diversity pattern of fishes and data was collected through selecting the sampling site and the field was visited on 4 different seasons. The study revealed that total 26 fish species have been collected from the Tinau River, belonging to 4 orders, 9 families and 19 genera. The most commonly observed fish species during the study period were Barillus bendelensis and Puntius sophore and Garra spp. Similarly, Tor tor and Brachydenio rerio were rare caught fishes. The physiochemical parameters were found to be related with the composition and distribution of the fished in Tinau River. Highest Shannon weiner diversity index was observed in station IV (1.14) and in the month of July (1.11). Similarly, the maximum richness was observed in station IV (6.63) and in the month of April (9.97). Evenness index was found to be higher in January (0.97) and in the station III (1.18). No significant difference in the diversity status was obtained during the investigation period rather it was a seasonal phenomenon in the composition of fish species.