Fin-fish diversity in Moraghat forest, a territorial forest of Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Fin-fish diversity at Moraghat forest of Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal was assessed from March, 2013 to August, 2014. The objective was to investigate the ichthyofauna composition in all the water bodies (lotic and lentic) of this forest. A total of sixty nine established species belonging to nine orders and twenty six families were recorded. Among the 69 species, thirty eight species were found under the order Cypriniformes, twelve species were found under the order Perciformes, eight species were found under the order Siluriformes, six species were found under the order Synbranchiformes and a single species was found under the order Osteoglossiformes, Anguilliformes, Beloniformes, Cyprinodontiformes and Tetraodontiformes each. This observation indicates that Cypriniformes is comparatively the most dominated order. Maximum number of species were sampled during monsoon and continued up to midpost monsoon. Out of 69 Species River Nonai had 65 species belonging to 47 genera, followed by River Garati with 63 species belonging to 45 genera, Gossaihat wet land with 62 species belonging to 47 genera, pond of Khuttimari with 43 species belonging to 34 genera and lastly by pond of Totapara with 31 species belonging to 21 genera. It points out that Gossihat wet land, Nonai River and Garati River are more diversified than other two water bodies.