Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2017; 5(4): 171-178 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 JEZS 2017; 5(4): 171-178 Updated checklist of fish species in Pechiparai © 2017 JEZS reservoir, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu Received: 21-05-2017 Accepted: 22-06-2017 Sudhan C Sudhan C, Kingston DS, Jawahar P and Aanand S M.F.Sc Research Scholar, Department of Fisheries Biology Abstract and Resource Management, The updated status of finfish species in their distribution and abundance were investigated in Pechiparai Fisheries College and Research reservoir, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu. In total 60 species of belonging to 8 orders, 17 families Institute, Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Thoothukudi, and 37 genera were recorded from the study area. Among these, Cypriniformes topped the list with 1 Tamil Nadu, India family with 14 genera and 27 species and least by Synbranchiformes (1 family with 2 genera and 2 species) followed by Mugiliformes (1 family with 1 genus and 1 species). The results of the present study Kingston DS indicated that Pechiparai reservoir, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu is endowed with rich fish Professor and Head, biodiversity. Fisheries Training and Research Center, Tamil Nadu Fisheries Keywords: Pechiparai reservoir, fish fauna, cyprinidae, occurrence, abundance University; Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India 1. Introduction Tamilnadu is endowed with rich freshwater fish diversity. Daming and channelization across Jawahar P the rivers and streams affected on upstream and downstream migration of migratory species Professor and Head, [16] Department of Fisheries Biology proper migrating passages requisite to provided (Mogalekar et al., 2017) . The inland and Resource Management, fisheries resources of India are vast and comprise of river systems with tributaries and Fisheries College and Research distributaries, network of canals crisscrossing the country, scores of natural lakes, a large Institute, Tamil Nadu Fisheries number of man-made reservoirs, estuaries and lagoons [5]. There are 19,370 reservoirs spread University, Thoothukudi, over in 15 states, covering an area of 3.15 million ha in India. The area is expected to grow Tamil Nadu, India [5] further to 6 million ha (Desai, 2008) in due course of time (25 years). Aanand S Reservoirs in India are prime resources for capture fisheries and extensive aquaculture. They Assistant Professor, cover a total area of 3.15 million ha, out of which small reservoirs occupy 1.49 million ha Department of Aquatic followed by large (1.14 million ha) and medium (0.52 million ha) ones [6]. The low fish yield Environment and Management, from reservoirs is mainly due to unscientific management practices resulting from the Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Fisheries inadequate knowledge of the ecology, production functions and biodiversity of the systems [6] University, Thoothukudi, (Dixitulu, 2010) . Actually, the systematic reservoir fishery investigations were initiated by Tamil Nadu, India Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore as early as in 1963. The institute took up a detailed study of fisheries of Tungabhadra reservoir in Karnataka and Damodar Valley Corporation reservoirs (Konar, Tilaiya and Panchet) in Bihar. Later, an All India Coordinated Research Project on Ecology and Fisheries of fresh water reservoirs was [5-7] launched by ICAR through CIFRI . Dam is a man-made ecosystem that alters the ecology of upper reaches of the river. Ecologically, migratory fishes are affected the dam [16]. This natural run off is cut down from the point of dam construction. This often leads to disturbances in the ecosystem especially with fish community of the upper reaches. The reservoir itself may affect the ecology of the lower reaches of the river. Periodical discharge of sediments from the reservoirs may cause settling of mud and silt in the lower reaches with serious consequences on the fauna and flora [8]. Reservoir acts as fertility traps, reducing the amount of dissolved plant nutrients which would otherwise be freely arriving at the lower reaches. Besides adding fertility and subsequently to fish production, they offer employment opportunities particularly to the people Correspondence Sudhan C around, with a means of livelihood. While aquaculture in small water bodies such as ponds is M.F.Sc Research Scholar, capital intensive, development of fisheries in reservoirs, a culture based capture activity, is Department of Fisheries Biology labour intensive [8]. In other words, the reservoir is an ecosystem where fluviatile and lentic and Resource Management, conditions coexist. In reservoir, the quality of impounded water varies from watershed to Fisheries College and Research watershed, and even within the same watershed depending on the soil, climate and human Institute, Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Thoothukudi, activities. It also varies with shape of the reservoir basin, photoperiod, wind action and quality Tamil Nadu, India of water [6-7]. ~ 171 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability among hydrodynamic features of Pechiparai reservoir include length organisms and ecosystem complexes in which they occur [31]. of the dam (1821 feet); mean depth (32.5 feet); catchment It includes diversity of forms right from the molecular unit to area (20719.9 hectares); water holding capacity in full (14200 the individual organisms and then to the populations, million cubic feet) and lowest water holding capacity (4350 communities, ecosystem, landscapes and biosphere [32]. When million cubic feet). fluviatile conditions are altered by dam construction, the native fauna, especially the aquatic organisms, are altered [30]. 2.2 Fish sampling design Some species dwindle, some become endangered and some Fishes were collected from Pechiparai reservoir, kanyakumari disappear. However a few less desirable species preponderate district with the help of local fisherman using different types and bio-diversity is greatly affected. After construction of of nets like gill net, drag net and cast net and hook at the dams in the upper reaches, some important indigenous species regular intervals from April 2016 to May 2017. After decrease or disappear. Productivity of a reservoir is dependent collection, fishes were preserved in 10% formaldehyde on its biogenic capacity to transform solar energy into solution; larger fishes were given injection of same solution in chemical energy. The energy fixed at primary producer level their abdomen and other parts of the body to avoid bacterial passes through trophic chain and a fraction of it ends up as contamination. Each container was labeled properly against fish flesh. Therefore, the structure of different food biotic the physical data sheet of sampling and brought to the communities (trophic dynamics) assumes great significance to laboratory for identification and species confirmation by reservoir fisheries management [31]. using keys like Talwar and Jhingran (1991); Jayaram (2010) Exposed to the warm tropical climate, the water bodies in and fish base. The different species recorded during the India are extremely productive and they harbor an enviable research work were checked for International Union for spectrum of fish genetic resources [25]. Optimum utilization of Conservation of Nature (IUCN 2015 version 2015.2) and these resources can lead to a manifold increase in inland fish Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species production, earning the country a place among the top inland (CITES) in order to assess conservation status fish species [9- fish producing nations of the world. As a result of the 10]. construction of dams under various multipurpose river valley projects, a number of fresh water impoundments have come 3. Results into existence [30-32]. The main problem in developing the During the study, 60 species belonging to 8 orders, 17 fisheries of reservoirs has been, inadequate stocking of families and 37 genera were recorded and reported. Among advanced fingerlings, stocking of small sized fingerlings, these, Cypriniformes topped the list with 1 family with 14 skewed proportion of stocked fingerlings and inappropriate genera and 27 species followed by Siluriformes (4 family release of fingerlings at a specific place and time. In many of with 5 genera and 11 species); Perciformes (4 family with 6 the small and big reservoirs, tilapia has become a dominant genera and 9 species); Cyprinodontiformes (2 family with 3 species in several reservoirs with landings comprising small- genera and 5 species); Beloniformes (3 family with 3 genera sized fishes. The love among the people for the exotics has and 3 species); Anguilliformes (1 family with 1 genera and 2 found another niche and reservoirs are being stocked with species); Synbranchiformes (1 family with 2 genera and 2 silver carp, grass carp and common carp to the detriment of species) and Mugiliformes (1 family with 1 genera and 1 indigenous fauna. Regional preferences and biodiversity species). The percentage composition of orders was issues have not been borne in mind while developing the represented in the Figure 1. reservoir fisheries. It is time that fast growing local species The highest number of fish specimens were found to be with a consumer preference and high economic value are also Oreochromis mossambicus (n=200) followed by Etroplus stocked with efforts to produce their seed close to the suratensis (n=130); Gambusia affinis, Etroplus maculatus reservoir concerned.