Study of ichthyofaunal diversity of Gandak river flanking Sonpur

Abstract

The diversity of fishes in Gandak river near Sonpur, Bihar, India was studied for a period of 12 month from August 2019 to Septemebr 2020. A stretch of 8 km of Gandak River revealed the ichthyofaunal diversity, assemblage structure, and distribution pattern, and threat status, ornamental and commercially important fishes. Gandak river ecosystem inhabits several aquatic organisms. Change in water quality due to pollution put the fish fauna under stress. Loss of fish species diversity used as an indicator of environmental degradation. This contribution focuses on the diversity of fish population and their conservation aspects in Gandak river ecosystem, Sonpur, Bihar, India. The study revealed the occurrence of 32 species of fishes.