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