FISH DIVERSITY OF TULSIHAWA LAKE, RUPANDEHI, NEPAL

Abstract

The study on the fish diversity of Tulsihawa Lake, Rupendehi, Nepal was carried out four different seasons from October 2021 to July 2022. The cast net was used to collect fish samples hiring local fishermen. Physico-chemical parameters were also analyzed. A total species richness of 19 species was collected from Tulsihawa Lake, out of which 2 species were nonnative. Order Cypriniformes and family Cyprinidae were dominant both in species composition and individual capture. Amblyphryngodon microlepis was dominant species accounting 50.53% followed by Puntius sophore (14.99%) and Chanda nama (8.21%). The water quality parameters were found within suitable range that supports fish diversity. Fish diversity was positively correlated with temperature, transparency, dissolved oxygen, and alkalinity whereas turbidity, pH, and total hardness negatively correlated. The Shannon - Weiner diversity index, Margalef's richness and evenness index indicated a strong relationship with overall species richness. So, it is concluded that Tulsihawa Lake harbors suitable habitat for variety of fish species and aquatic inhabitants.