Fish Diversity of Dipang Lake in the Mid-Hill of Kaski District, Nepal

Abstract

Present study deals with the fish diversity of Dipang Lake located in the mid-hill of Kaski District, Nepal from May to November in 2017. It explored the fish diversity, species richness, evenness and physico-chemical parameter of Dipang Lake. Fish sampling were done by using cast net, gill net and local fishing gears. Fifteen different species (native and exotic) of fish belonging to 5 orders, 7 families, and 12 genera were recorded from this aquatic ecosystem. The order Cypriniformes (46%) was dominant in terms of both species composition as well as individuals captured. At family level, Cyprinidae contributed by 29.43% and Cichlidae 25% compare with family Channidae (4%) in total number of individual species sampled. Puntius sophore was the most dominant fish species (18.33%) of the total catch. The higher diversity index (2.10) and richness (2.16) was recorded in July and evenness index was recorded in May (0.883). Similarly, higher diversity index and richness were observed at station IV (2.08) and III (2.08) respectively. Higher evenness index recorded at station II (0.859). However, water quality parameters (water temperature; 23ºc to 30ºc, pH; 6.2 to 8 ppm, DO; 5.1 mg/l to 8.38mg/l, free CO xiii

2;

0.8 mg/l to 3.2 mg/l, Hardness; 12 mg/l to 36 mg/l, Alkalinity; 50 mg/l to 100 mg/l) were observed within desirable range supporting freshwater fish. Due to pollution, illegal fishing, and excessive proliferation of aquatic weeds, human encroachments and introduction of exotic fishes the fish diversity and frequency were found decrease day by day. Keywords: Dipang Lake, Fish diversity, Physico-chemical parameter