Fish diversity of Damak and lower Terai region of Ratuwa River of Jhapa district, Nepal

Abstract

Fish samples were collected from twenty five sampling stations of Damak and lower Terai region of Ratuwa River from August, 2018 to October, 2018 by using Cast net, Hapa net, and mosquito nets. We collected 27 fish species of Cypriniformes in two families: Cyprinidae with 12 species and Cobitidae with three species. While order Anguilliformes (Angullidae), Clupeiformes (Clupeidae), and Synbranchiformes (Synbranchidae) got the single family with single fish species. Siluriformes with three families: Schelbeidae with single species, Pangasidae with single species and Claridae with two species. Similarly, Order Perciformes with two families: Belontidae with three species and Channidae with two species were recorded. Some fish of Damak, and Ratuwa River has been plummeting. It is due to over population, over fishing practices, illegal electro-fishing, use of stupefied poison herbs, and use of fry nets. There might be some other reasons for plummeting fish species. This is due to the lack of Knowledge of harmful effects of throwing non degradable things in the water. The common species of Damak and Ratuwa River were Barilius barila, Barilius bendelesis, Guducia chapra Puntius chola, Puntius phutunio, Puntius sophore, Channa punctatus, Channa barca, Esomos danricus, Lepidocephalus guntae, Brachidanio deria, and colisa fasciatus.