Fish diversity and abundance in relation to water quality of Gaya reservoir, Bihar (India)

Surabhi Saloni^a, Pradeep Kumar^a, Lakshman Saha & Waquar Ahsan^b
aDepartment of Zoology, R.K. Dwarika College, Patna, Bihar, India
^bP.G. Department of Zoology, M.G. College, Gaya, Bihar, India
Received :22^nd April, 2019 ; Revised : 12^th June, 2019

Abstract : Freshwater fish diversity, abundance and richness status of Gaya reservoir (Bihar) was studied monthly from September 2017 to October 2018 in three sampling sites. The present study has shown that Gaya reservoir supported 3 fish species belonging the same class, order and family. Fish diversity was assessed by calculating the various diversity indices such as Shannon-Weiner Index (H), Simpson’s Dominance Index (D), Simpson’s Index of diversity (I-D), Pielons Evenness and Margalef Index of species richness and seasonal water quality parameters such as water, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, free CO₂, DO, BOD hardness, chloride, nitrate and phosphate has been recorded and were found suitable for fish population. It can be concluded that reservoir supported rich fish population. It needs proper management and utilisation of these fish’s wealth and sustainable steps to monitor and conserve these fish health. However, the present paper deals with fish diversity in the freshwater fishes of Gaya, as the water bodies harbour a large number of fish fauna. The survey is based on present observations and description of fishes as recorded in Systems Nature by Carls Linnaeus.