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Diversity and Present Status of Fish Species in Three Floodplain Wetlands of

Central Assam, India

Article · January 2017

DOI: 10.9790/2402-1101015459

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IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT)
e-ISSN: 2319-2402,p- ISSN: 2319-2399.Volume 11, Issue 1 Ver. I (Jan. 2017), PP 54-59
www.iosrjournals.org

Diversity and Present Status of Fish Species in Three Floodplain

Wetlands of Central Assam, India
Mrigangka Malakar1* and Sanchita Boruah2
1
*Department of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam, India
2
D.H.S.K. College, Dibrugarh, Assam, India

Abstract: The present study deals with the documentation of fish diversity and fishing gears used from the
wetlands of Central Assam. The study was carried out in three important wetlands of Kamrup Rural district and
Kamrup Metro District, viz. Sol beel , Etila beel and Duani beel. Sol beel is situated in the Kamrup Rural
district and connected to the Kulsi River, during monsoon season. Etila beel and Duani beel is situated in
Kamrup Metro district and connected to Kolong and Digaru River tributary respectively. These three wetlands
are perennial in nature that remains covered by water along with its aquatic flora and fauna almost throughout
the year. Different types of fishes are available in these three wetlands. During the present study of Sol Beel a
total number of 29 species belonging to 18 families and 7 orders have been reported. And in Etila Beel, it was
recorded 38 fish species belonging to 21 families and 8 orders. In Duani Beel it was recorded 38 fish species
belonging18 families and 8 orders. Dominant species of these three beels are Channa punctatus, Anabas
testudineus, Colisa fasciata, Amblypharyngodon mola, Puntius sophore, Heteropneustes fossilis and less
dominant species is Notopterus chitala, Notopterus notopterus, Nandus nandus, Xenentodon cancila. The study
play a great role because indiscriminate killing of brood and juvenile fishes of local and commercial species
and over extraction of these fishes during breeding season greatly decreasing the fish diversity of the study
area.
Keywords: Wetland, fish diversity, Present Status, Indiscriminate killing, Central Assam

I. Introduction
Wetlands sustain all life and perform useful functions in the maintenance of ecological balance.
Wetlands are unique ecosystem having rich nutrient status and carrying capacity with immense production
potential hence considered as food and fodder resources for human and its related allies. Ecologically wetlands
are of great significant for an area as they support different food chain, food webs, regulate hydrological cycle,
recharge ground water, trapping of energy and shelter to large numbers of flora and fauna having great
ecological and economical value.[1,2]
Fishes are cool blooded aquatic vertebrates, which breathe by means of pharyngeal gills, propelling
and balancing themselves by means of fins. Fishes are the important element in the economy of many nations as
they have been a staple item in the diet of many people.
The diversity of fishes mainly depends upon the biotic and abiotic factors and type of the ecosystem,
age of the water body, mean depth, water level fluctuations, morph metric features and bottom have great
implications. The hydro-biological features of the collection centers also play an effective role in fisheries
output to a great extent. (Murugan et. al., 2012)
Fish diversity of river essentially represents the fish faunal diversity and their abundance. River
conserves a rich variety of fish species which support to the commercial fisheries (Shukla & Singh., 2013)
The success of the fishing techniques depends on various factors like selection of site, time, efficiency
of materials used and availability of fish etc. For successful fishing some attractant as a lure is popularly
employed in some parts of the country. Chemical poising, dynamiting, electro fishing etc. become very popular
but destructive for aquatic ecosystem including fishes against traditional method (Islam et. al., 2013).
Among habitat attributes, dissolved oxygen and PH are key habitat features and correlated with fish
diversity and found as the most important variables in shaping fish distribution (Shukla & Singh., 2013)
Fishes are the keystone species which determine the distribution and abundance of other organism in
the ecosystem they represent and are good indicators of water quality and health of the ecosystem (Moyle &
Leidy, 1992). India occupies 9th position in the world in provisions of freshwater larger biodiversity. There are
about 450 families of freshwater fishes globally. Roughly 40 are present in India. About 25 of these families
contain commercially important species (Khodake et. al., 2014)

DOI: 10.9790/2402-1101015459 www.iosrjournals.org 54 | Page

 Diversity and Present Status of Fish Species in Three Floodplain Wetlands of Central Assam, India

II. Objective of the Study

The main aim of the research work is to find out the fish diversity, level of abundance in the selected wetlands
and to find out the present status of the available fish species there.
The objectives are based on the following
 To study the fish diversity of the selected wetlands
 To study the level of abundance of the fish species of the selected wetlands
 To find out the present status (IUCN Status) of the available fish species of the selected wetlands

III. Materials and Methods

1.1 Study Area
The wetlands that are selected for the research work are (a) Sol beel is situated between 26o04/59//-
26º03 49// N and 91º26/45// -91º26/43// E and connected to the Kulsi River and located in the Kamrup Rural
/

District of Assam (b) Etila beel is situated between 26o10/-26o8/ N and 92o11/-92o8/ E and having a connection
to the Kolong river and located in the Kamrup Metro District of Assam (c) Duani beel is situated between 26
o
13/20//- 26º05/30// N and 92 º5/ -92º1/30 // E and connected to the Digaru river and located in the Kamrup Metro
District of Assam.

1.2 Selection of Sampling Station:

The sampling stations were selected randomly; altogether five sampling stations were selected for each wetland.
All stations were selected at 50 meter distance from each other.

1.3. Data Collection and Analysis:

Fish samples were collected through experimental fishing by using caste nets of various sizes, gill nets
(vertical height 1.0 m- 1.5 m; length 30 m -100 m), drag nets (vertical height 2.0 m), fish hooks of various sizes
and a variety of gears like polo, juluki, sepa, posa, jakoi etc by local fisherman. The documentation of present
study was carried out with the help of local fishermen, having more than 25 years of experience in fishing
technologies. Collected fish species were preserved in 10% formaldehyde in the field itself. Fish species have
been identified following the literature of Talwar & Jhingran (1991) and Vishwanath (2002). Status assessments
of the documented species have been evaluated by IUCN Red list of threatened species (2016).

IV. Results and Discussion

During the research work altogether 29 varieties fish species, belonging to 18 families and 7 orders
have been reported in Sol beel . Relatively less amount of fish species were reported in Sol beel as because this
beel is gradually converting to agricultural field. And in Etila beel, it was recorded 38 fish species belonging to
21 families and 8 orders. In Duani beel it was recorded 38 fish species belonging18 families and 8 orders.
Dominant species of these three beels are Channa punctatus, Anabas testudineus, Colisa fasciata,
Amblypharyngodon mola, Puntius sophore, Heteropneustes fossilis, Chanda nama, Botia dario, Labeo
bata,Channa gachua, Macrognathus aral and the less dominant fish species includes Mastacembelus armatus,
Monopterus cuchia, Puntius sarana, Xenentodon cancila, Notopterus chitala, Cirrhinus reba. The study play a
great role because indiscriminate killing of brood and juvenile fishes of local and commercial species and over
extraction of these fishes during breeding season greatly decreasing the fish diversity of the study area.

Table 1: Fish Diversity of Sol beel of Kamrup Rural District, Assam, India
Sl. Common Name IUCN Level of
No. (Assamese) Scientific Name Order Family Status Abundance
1 Arii Aorichthys seenghala Siluriformes Bagridae LC R
Mastacembelus
2 Bami armatus Synbranchiformes Mastacembelidae LC MA
3 Bardaia/Kadali Ailia coila Siluriformes Aillidae NT A
4 Barali Wallago attu Siluriformes Siluridae NT A
5 Bhakua Catla catla Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A
6 Bhangone/ Nara Labeo bata Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A
7 Botia Botia dario Cypriniformes Botiidae LC A
8 Chanda Chanda nama Perciformes Ambassidae LC A
9 Chengeli Channa gachua Perciformes Channidae DD A
10 Cheniputhi Puntius sarana Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC LA
11 Cuchia /Kuchia Monopterus cuchia Synbranchiformes Synbranchidae LC MA

DOI: 10.9790/2402-1101015459 www.iosrjournals.org 55 | Page

 Diversity and Present Status of Fish Species in Three Floodplain Wetlands of Central Assam, India

12 Darikana Esomus danricus Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A

13 Gangatope Tetradon cutcutia Tetradontiformes Tetradontidae NE A
Gedgedi
14 (Khaloibhangi) Nandus nandus Perciformes Nandidae LC A
15 Goroi Channa punctatus Perciformes Channidae LC A
Notopterus
16 Kandhuli notopterus Osteoglossiformes Notopteridae LC A
17 Kawoi Anabas testudineus Perciformes Anabantidae DD A
18 Kholihona Colisa fasciata Perciformes Belontiidae NE A
19 Kokila Xenentodon cancila Beloniformes Belonidae LC LA
20 Kurhi Labeo gonius Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A
21 Magur Clarias magur Siluriformes Clariidae LC A
Ambiypharyngodon
22 Moa mola Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A
23 Panimutura Glossogobius giuris Perciformes Gobiidae LC A
24 Puthi Puntius sophore Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A
25 Rau Labeo rohita Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A
Heteropneustes
26 Singhi fossilis Siluriformes Heteropneustedae LC A
27 Sol Channa striatus Perciformes Channidae NE A
28 Tingorah Mystus tengara Siluriformes Bagridae LC A
29 Turi Macrognathus aral Synbranchiformes Mastacembelidae LC A

LC= Least concern A= Abundant

NT= Near MA= Moderately
threatened Abundant
NE= Not evaluated LA= Less Abundant
DD= Data deficit R= Rare
IUCN=International
Union for
Conservation of
Nature

Table 2 : Fish Diversity of Etila beel of Kamrup Metro District

,Assam, India
Sl. Common Name Level of
No. (Assamese) Scientific Name Order Family IUCN Status Abundance
Aorichthys
1 Arii seenghala Siluriformes Bagridae LC R
Noemacheilus
2 Balibotia assamensis Cypriniformes Balitoridae LC A
Mastacembelus MA
3 Bami armatus Synbranchiformes Mastacembelidae LC
4 Barali Wallago attu Siluriformes Siluridae NT A
5 Bardaia/Kadali Ailia coila Siluriformes Aillidae NT A
6 Bhakua/Bahu Catla catla Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A
7 Bhangone/ Nara Labeo bata Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A
8 Botia Botia dario Cypriniformes Botidae LC A
9 Chanda Chanda nama Perciformes Ambassidae LC MA
10 Chengeli Channa gachua Perciformes Channidae DD A
11 Cheniputhi Puntius sarana Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC LA
12 Chital Notopterus chitala Osteoglossiformes Notopteridae NT LA
13 Darikana Esomus danricus Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A
14 Darikana Rasbora daniconius Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A
15 Gangatope Tetradon cutcutia Tetradontiformes Tetradontidae NE A
Gedgedi
16 (Khaloibhangi) Nandus nandus Perciformes Nandidae LC A
17 Goroi Channa punctatus Perciformes Channidae LC A
Notopterus
18 Kandhuli notopterus Osteoglossiformes Notopteridae LC MA
19 Kawoi Anabas testudineus Perciformes Anabantidae DD A
20 Kholihona Colisa fasciata Perciformes Belontiidae NE A
21 Karoti Gudusia variegata Clupeiformes Clupeidae LC R
22 Kokila Xenentodon cancila Beloniformes Belonidae LC A
23 Kuchia/Cuchia Monopterus cuchia Synbranchiformes Synbranchidae LC MA
24 Kurhi Labeo gonius Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A
25 Lasim Cirrhinus reba Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC LA
26 Magur Clarias magur Siluriformes Clariidae LC A

DOI: 10.9790/2402-1101015459 www.iosrjournals.org 56 | Page

 Diversity and Present Status of Fish Species in Three Floodplain Wetlands of Central Assam, India
27 Mali/ Kaliajora Labeo calbasu Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A
28 Mirika Cirrhinus mrigala Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A
Ambiypharyngodon
29 Moa mola Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A
30 Panimutura Glossogobius giuris Perciformes Gobiidae LC A
31 Puthi Puntius sophore Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A
32 Puthi Puntius conchonius Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A
33 Rau Labeo rohita Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A
34 Ritha Rita rita Siluriformes Bagridae LC R
Heteropneustes
35 Singhi fossilis Siluriformes Heteropneustedae LC A
36 Sol Channa striatus Perciformes Channidae NE A
37 Tingorah Mystus tengara Siluriformes Bagridae LC A
38 Turi Macrognathus aral Synbranchiformes Mastacembelidae LC A

LC= Least
concern A= Abundant
NT= Near MA= Moderately
threatened Abundant
NE= Not
evaluated LA= Less Abundant
DD= Data deficit R= Rare
IUCN=Internatio
nal Union for
Conservation of
Nature

Table 3: Fish Diversity of Duani beel of Kamrup Metro District, Assam, India

Sl. Common Name Scientific IUCN

No. (Assamese) Name Order Family Status Level of Abundance
Aorichthys
1 Arii seenghala Siluriformes Bagridae LC R
Noemacheilus
2 Balibotia assamensis Cypriniformes Balitoridae LC A
Mastacembelus
3 Bami armatus Synbranchiformes Mastacembelidae LC A

4 Barali Wallago attu Siluriformes Siluridae NT A

5 Bardaia/Kadali Ailia coila Siluriformes Aillidae NT A

6 Bhakua/Bahu Catla catla Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A

7 Bhangone/ Nara Labeo bata Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A

8 Botia Botia dario Cypriniformes Botidae LC A

9 Chanda Chanda nama Perciformes Ambassidae LC A

10 Chengeli Channa barca Perciformes Channidae DD A

11 Cheniputhi Puntius sarana Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC LA

12 Chital Notopterus chitala Osteoglossiformes Notopteridae NT LA

13 Darikana Esomus danricus Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A

14 Darikana Rasbora daniconius Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A

15 Gangatope Tetradon cutcutia Tetradontiformes Tetradontidae NE A

Gedgedi
16 (Khaloibhangi) Nandus nandus Perciformes Nandidae LC A

17 Goroi Channa punctatus Perciformes Channidae LC A

Notopterus
18 Kandhuli notopterus Osteoglossiformes Notopteridae LC A

19 Kawoi Anabas testudineus Perciformes Anabantidae DD A

20 Kholihona Colisa fasciata Perciformes Belontiidae NE A

21 Karoti Gudusia variegata Clupeiformes Clupeidae LC R

22 Kokila Xenentodon cancila Beloniformes Belonidae LC A

DOI: 10.9790/2402-1101015459 www.iosrjournals.org 57 | Page

 Diversity and Present Status of Fish Species in Three Floodplain Wetlands of Central Assam, India

23 Kuchia/Cuchia Monopterus cuchia Synbranchiformes Synbranchidae LC MA

24 Kurhi Labeo gonius Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A

25 Lasim Cirrhinus reba Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC LA

26 Magur Clarias magur Siluriformes Clariidae LC A

27 Mali/ Kaliajora Labeo calbasu Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A

28 Mirika Cirrhinus mrigala Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A

Ambiypharyngodon
29 Moa mola Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A

30 Panimutura Glossogobius giuris Perciformes Gobiidae LC A

31 Puthi Puntius sophore Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A

32 Puthi Puntius conchonius Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A

33 Rau Labeo rohita Cypriniformes Cyprinidae LC A

34 Ritha Rita rita Siluriformes Bagridae LC R

Heteropneustes
35 Singhi fossilis Siluriformes Heteropneustedae LC A

36 Sol Channa striatus Perciformes Channidae NE A

37 Tingorah Mystus tengara Siluriformes Bagridae LC A

38 Turi Macrognathus aral Synbranchiformes Mastacembelidae LC A

LC= Least
concern A= Abundant
NT= Near MA= Moderately
threatened Abundant
NE= Not LA= Less
evaluated Abundant
DD= Data
deficit R= Rare
IUCN=Internati
onal Union for
Conservation of
Nature

V. Conclusion
Presence of fishes in an aquatic habitat is a good indicator of the health and status of that
ecosystem. There are many reasons why ecologists are interested in ascertaining the diversity status.
Fisheries are probably more diverse group at all taxonomic levels and have more species than all other
vertebrate groups. Fish is a basic diet of the people of Assam. 90% of the population of Assam eats fish. The per
capita consumption of fish is 5 kg per year. The beels in Brahmaputra valley, in general, capable of producing
about 500 kg fish/hec./year. But present rate of production is 100 kg fish/hec/year. No scientific attempt has so
far been made to evaluate the problems and potentialities of the beels to help fish production. The fish species
of the study area is under heavy pressure due to indiscriminate killing of fries, fingerlings and gravid fish.
Killing of gravid fishes causes heavy loss of eggs per day during the breeding season. Festive fishing is another
major constraint which causes great depletion of fish species because during this practice a sizeable number of
breeders are lost. Festive fishing is associated with the celebration of different festivals by different ethnic
communities. Due to decreasing fish catch many fisherman converted the wetland areas into agricultural land.
Non implementation of fishery acts also greatly decreasing the fish diversity of the study area. Due to the above
mentioned reasons, and other anthropogenic activities, the diversity of fish species in the study area is greatly
decreasing day by day. Therefore the documentation of available fish species and evaluation of their present
status is utmost necessity for proper implementation of further conservation measures.

DOI: 10.9790/2402-1101015459 www.iosrjournals.org 58 | Page

 Diversity and Present Status of Fish Species in Three Floodplain Wetlands of Central Assam, India

Acknowledgements
We acknowledge Department of Science and Technology; INSPIRE Program Division, New Delhi for
providing financial assistance to carry out the study and encouragement for publication. We also thankful to the
local people for their co-operation and help during the time of data collection.

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