World Journal of Zoology 10 (1): 34-40, 2015 ISSN 1817-3098 © IDOSI Publications, 2015 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjz.2015.10.1.91166

Biodiversity and Present Status of Threatened , Sylhet Sadar,

12Salma Akter, Jannatul Ferdous, 3 Shahab Uddin, 21Kabir Hossein, Golam Rasul and 4 Partho Protim Barman

1Department of Fisheries Technology and Quality Control, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh 2Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh 3Department of Aquaculture, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh 4Department of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Abstract: The biodiversity of Catfishes under Sylhet sadar were studied from June 2012 to December 2013. The study was conducted in the different Landing Centers and Fish Markets of Sylhet sadar (Kazir Bazar Fish Market, Lal bazar Fish Market, Major Tila Fish Market, Fanchugonj). Taxonomic studies were made on the basis of the physical features of the collected specimens. Among the total 60 catfishes of Bangladesh, only 19 catfishes were recorded under 8 families in Sylhet sadar. was the dominant family contributing 6 followed by the Siluridae (4 species), Schilbeidae (3 species) and Claridae (2 species). Other contributing families were Chacidae, Heteropneustidae, Pangasiidae and from which only one family was found. During the study, it is found that aor and Rita rita breed in two times in a year (May-July and November-December). Normally the study mentioned that the breeding period of varies from April to December but June and July is the peak time for the breeding of maximum catfish species (Sperata aor, Rita rita, Wallago attu, Bagarius bagarius, Ompok pabda, Mystus bleekeri, Clarias batrachus, Heteropneustes fossilis, Eutropiichthys vacha) in the Sylhet sadar. All these species are found in the study area more or less round the year.

Key words: Catfish Biodiversity Breeding Time Availability

INTRODUCTION which are the most important sources of protein in the human diet [4-6]. Sylhet sadar is blessed especially for Fish and Fisheries sector play an immensely freshwater aquatic biodiversity, because a large important role on the socio-economic development of freshwater basin geographically located in this region Bangladesh from time immemorial and it is the part of our mainly haor and floodplain land. Sylhet basin is a cultural heritage. Fisheries sector contributes about 3.00% freshwater region; as a result, the commercially important of the total export earning, 3.74% to GDP and 22.23% to freshwater catfish are more available in this region. agricultural sector [1-3]. Fish is one of the main food However, due to overfishing and inclusive irrigation of constituents in our diet as it includes essential fatty acids, haors and beels, complete destruction of habitat of catfish amino acids and some of the principal vitamins and occur which leads to alarming reduction of catfish minerals in sufficient amounts for healthy living. Recent diversity in the Sylhet sadar. nutritional studies have established that at least one-third Major sources of fish production in the past were the of the total requirement of the protein in the daily diet inland open water which contributes more than 90% of the must come from animal sources, fish and fish products country fish production and the remaining came from

Corresponding Author: Salma Akter, Department of Fisheries Technology and Quality Control, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh. 34 World J. Zool., 10 (1): 34-40, 2015 fresh water aquaculture and marine fisheries. But in recent So it is necessary to make a complete study about years, the availability of several fish species has declined catfish biodiversity of this region to know their present and many are thought to be critically endangered. Due to status and make some policy for their proper management over fishing and faulty management, policy including in Sylhet sadar. other manmade and natural causes like siltation of water bodies. Nowadays siltation has threatened the existence MATERIALS AND METHODS of most of the river and many are gradually being turned in to small canals through the inland open water fisheries The present study conducted with catfish species in has declined significantly during the last 3-4 decades. Sylhet sadar (Figure 1), that’s why several stations Other reasons are uncontrolled use of chemicals, fertilizers are selected for the sampling and survey purposes. and insecticides, destruction of natural breeding and This study was conducted from June 2012 to December feeding grounds, harvesting of wild brood fishes [7]. 2013 in the different spots of Sylhet area such as Kazir

Fig. 1: Location of the study area.

35 World J. Zool., 10 (1): 34-40, 2015

Bazar Fish market, Lal bazar fish market, Major tila fish market, Fanchugonj landing center and fish market. During the field survey, different areas of the haor, harvesting spots, market spot were visited.

Species Identification: Collected sample were sorted, rinsed with tap water, color was observed and morphmetric measurement were taken. Taxonomic studies Fig. 2: Family wise catfish species composition in Sylhet were made on the basis of the physical features of the sadar collected specimens. Fish were identified up to species level. The fish were identified using the species classification proposed by Hossain [8], Howlader [9], Shafi and Quddus [10], Day et al. [11], Talwar and Jhigran [12] and FishBase [13]. Identification was made on the morphometric and meristic characters. Attempts have been made to provide valid scientific name of all the genera and species were listed in accordance with the rules and principles as set forth in the international code.

Source of Data: Primary data are collected from field visits Fig. 3: Vulnerable catfish species composition in Sylhet and direct observation of existing condition, consultation sadar with relevant stakeholders, interviewing of target groups. Secondary data are collected from official document of available catfish species found in the Sylhet sadar is DoF, official document of BFRI, different NGOs official represented in Table 1 which is recorded during the study statistics, national and international journals and period. publications, Government, NGOs and other relevant Though from literatures, about 60 freshwater catfish organizations reports. species could be found. Rahman [14] described 55 species of catfish belonging 11 families. Fishbase [13] and Data Analysis: After collection, the primary data and Rahman [14] reported 2 species of catfish under the family secondary data were reviewed, stored, coded and then of Amblycipitidae, while no species were recorded under input into computer for further analysis. At each stage of this family during the study period in study area. survey data sheets were compared with original data Sylhet-Mymensingh basin fish stock assessment [15] sheets to ensure the accuracy of data entered. All the recorded total 92 species of fishes and prawn from the collected information were accumulated and analyzed by Sylhet-Mymemsingh basin. Among the total number of MS-Excel and then presented in textual, tabular and fish species recorded from the basin area, 21 species were graphical forms. found to be catfishes. Ali et al. [16] recorded 53 species of fin fish of which 12 species were catfish from Khulna RESULTS AND DISCUSSION district. All these species are found more or less round the year in the Sylhet sadar. The present study also found Species Diversity and Abundance: During the study that 3 (Three) vulnerable catfish species (Kajuli, Air, period total 19 species of catfish were recorded under 8 Gulsha), 5 (Five) critically endangered species families. Most dominated family is Bagriidae contributing (Rita, Ghaura, Bacha, Pangus and Baghair) and 5 32% with 6 (Six) species followed by the Siluridae 21% endangered species (Tengra, Guzza air, Kani pabda, with 4 (Four) species, Schilbeidae 16% with 3 (Three) Checa and Modhu pabda) are identified during the study species, Claridae 11% with 2 (Two) species. Other period (Tables 2, 3 &4). contributing families are Chacidae (5%), Heteropneustidae Among vulnerable catfish species in study area Air (5%), Pangasiidae (5%) and Sisoridae (5%) of which each (Sperata aor) contributing highest percentage (64.17%) family belong to one species identifying during the study followed by Kajuli (19.61%), Gulsha (15.67%), showed in period (Figure 2). All these species are found in the study Figure-3. Among critically endangered catfish species in area more or less round the year. However, a check list of study area Pangas contributing highest percentage

36 World J. Zool., 10 (1): 34-40, 2015

Table 1: Catfish in Bangladesh and checklist of available catfish species with their scientific name, local name, order and family name in the Sylhet Sadar Comments ------Scientific name Local Name Order Family Available Non-available coila Kajuli Siluriformes Schilbeidae Amblyceps mangois Chotto shingi Siluriformes Amblycipitidae Bagarius bagarius Baghaair Siluriformes Bagridae Chaca chaca Cheka Siluriformes Chacidae Clarias batrachus Magur Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias gariepinus African magur Siluriformes Clariidae Clupisoma garua Ghaura Siluriformes Schilbeidae Conta conta Kuta kanti Siluriformes Erethistidae Eutropiichthys vacha Bacha Siluriformes Siluridae cenia Chenua Siluriformes Sisoridae Gagata gagata Gang tengra Siluriformes Sisoridae Glyptothorax cavia Kani tengra Siluriformes Sisoridae Heteropneustes fossilis Shingi Siluriformes Heteropneustidae Mystus bleekeri Gulsha Siluriformes Sisoridae Mystus cavasius Kbashi Tengra Siluriformes Bagridae Mystus tengara Bujuri Tengara Siluriformes Bagridae Mystus vitatus Tengra Siluriformes Bagridae Neotropius atherinoides Batasi Siluriformes Schilbeidae Ompok bimaculatus Kani pabda Siluriformes Siluridae Ompok pabda Madhu pabda Siluriformes Siluridae Pangasius pangasius Pangas Siluriformes Pangasiidae Pseudecheneis sulcata Sisor Siluriformes Sisoridae Rita rita Rita Siluriformes Bagridae Silonia silondia Shillong Siluriformes Schilbeidae Sperata aor Air Siluriformes Bagridae Sperata seenghala Guzza air Siluriformes Bagridae Wallago attu Boal Siluriformes Siluridae Batasio batasio Tengra/Batasi Siluriformes Bagridae Bassio tengana Tengra Siluriformes Bagridae Hemibagrus menodad Ghagla Siluriformes Bagridae Mystus armatus Tengra Siluriformes Bagridae Rama chandramara Gura tengra Siluriformes Bagridae Ompok pabo Kala pabda Siluriformes Siluridae Ailia puctata Bashpata Siluriformes Schilbeidae Eutropiichthys murius Muri bacha Siluriformes Schilbeidae Gagata youssoufi Gang tengra Siluriformes Sisoridae Glyptothorax idicus Teli Siluriformes Sisoridae Glyptothorax telchitta Telchitta Siluriformes Sisoridae Gogangra biridescens Gang tengra Siluriformes Sisoridae Hara hara Kutakanti Siluriformes Sisoridae nangra Gang tengra Siluriformes Sisoridae Hara jerdoni Kutakanti Siluriformes Sisoridae Sisor rhabdophorus Sai sore Siluriformes Sisoridae Erethistes pussilus Kurkati Siluriformes Erethistidae Pseudolaguvia inormata Kani tengra Siluriformes Erethistidae Pseudolaguvia muricata Kani tengra Siluriformes Erethistidae Pseudolaguvia ribeiroi Kani tengra Siluriformes Erethistidae Pseudolaguvia shawi Kani tengra Siluriformes Erethistidae Olyra kerri Bot shinghi Siluriformes Olyridae Arius gagora Gagla Siluriformes Ariidae Batrachocephalus mino Katabukha Siluriformes Ariidae Osteogeneiosus militaris Apuia Siluriformes Ariidae Plotosus canius Gang magur Siluriformes Plotosidae Hypostomus plecostomus Choshok machh Siluriformes Loricariidae

37 World J. Zool., 10 (1): 34-40, 2015

Table 2: List of vulnerable catfish species with their local name in Sylhet Sadar Comments ------Scientific name Fish/ Local Name Amount (Kg) Present Absent Ailia coila Kajuli 10 Sperata aor Air 33 Mystus cavasius Kabashi tengra 0 Mystus bleekeri Gulsha 8

Table 3: List of Critically endangered catfish species in Sylhet sadar Fig. 5: Endangered catfish species composition in Sylhet Comments ------sadar Scientific name Local Name Amount (Kg) Present Absent Rita rita Rita 22 5 (Five) endangered and 3(three) vulnerable catfish Clupisoma garua Ghaura 8 species were reported in the present study. Ailia coila, Eutropiichthys vacha Bacha 7 Sperata aor, Mystus bleekeri recorded as vulnerable Pangasius pangasius Pangus 62 catfish species, critically endangered species were Rita Bagarius bagarius Baghair 15 Gagata cenia Chenua 0 rita, Clupisoma garua, Eutropiichthys vacha, Pangasius pangasius, Bagarius bagarius and endangered species Table 4: List of Endangered catfish species with local name in Sylhet sadar were Mystus tengara, Sperata seenghala, Ompok Comments bimaculatus, Ompok pabda, Chaca chaca were identified ------during the study period. Scientific name Local Name Amount (Kg) Present Absent It was not expected that all the available catfish Mystus tengara Bujuri Tengra 9.0 Sperata seenghala Guzza air 7.0 species would be found in the study area, but the Ompok bimaculatus Kani pabda 3.0 non-available and less availability of some catfish species Ompok pabda Modhu pabda 5.0 indicates the alarming decline of the catfish biodiversity Silonia silondia Shilong 00 in the study area. The effective conservation measures are Chaca chaca Checa 3.0 not taken at this very moment, many of the valuable catfish species will be threatened to extinct in near future. Therefore not only regional survey on catfish but also countrywide and long-term investigation of catfish is needed for conservation and rehabilitation of this resource.

Breeding Season of Recorded Commercially Important Catfish Species: Catfish mainly breed in the open running Fig. 4: Critically endangered catfish species composition water area. Normally fishes breed during the monsoon in Sylhet sadar season (June to September) while catfish can breed in monsoon and winter season also. Some species breed (54.39%) followed by Rita (19.3%), Baghaair (13.16%), twice in a year, while the other species breed once in a Ghaura (7.02%), Vacha (6.14%) showed in Figure 4. year. During the study, it is found that Sperata aor and Among endangered catfish species in study area Bujuri Rita rita breed in two times in a year (May-July and Tengra (Mystus tengara) contributing highest percentage November-December). Normally the study mentioned that (33.33%) followed by Guzzia air (25.93%), Madhu pabda the breeding period of catfish varies from April to (18.52%), Kani pabda (11.11%), Checa (11.11%) showed in December but June and July is the peak time for the Figure 5. breeding of maximum catfish species (Sperata aor, Rita Abundance of the collected catfish species has been rita, Wallago attu, Bagarius bagarius, Ompok pabda, represented in Table 1. According to IUCN [17], there Mystus bleekeri, Clarias batrachus, Heteropneustes are 54 species of catfish in Bangladesh and among them fossilis, Eutropiichthys vacha) in the Sylhet sadar 17 species are threatened, 5 (Five) critically endangered showed in Table 5.

38 World J. Zool., 10 (1): 34-40, 2015

Table 5: Breeding season of recorded commercially important catfish specie

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION REFERENCES

The objectives of the study were set to observe the 1. Khan, M.A.R., M.I. Miah, M.B. Hossain, A. Begum, catfish diversity in water bodies in Sylhet sadar. M.H. Minar and R. Karim, 2013. Fish Biodiversity and A total of 19 species belonging to 8 families were Livelihood Status of Fishing Community of Tista accounted and identified from Sylhet sadar, among River, Bangladesh. Global Veterinaria, 10(4): 417-423. them Bagriidae was the most dominant catfish family 2. Al-Mahmud, N., M.R. Hasan, M.B. Hossain and with 6 (Six) species found in the Sylhet sadar followed M.H. Minar, 2012. Proximate Composition of Fish by Siluridae 4 (Four) species, Schilbeidae 3 (Three) Feed Ingredients Available in Lakshmipur Region, species, Claridae 2 (Two) species. Other contributing Bangladesh. American-Eurasian J. Agric. And families are Chacidae (5%), Heteropneustidae, Pangasiidae Environ. Sci., 12(5): 556-560. and Sisoridae of which each family belong to one species. 3. Azim, M.A., M.R. Islam, M.B. Hossain and Not all the recorded species were equally available. M.H. Minar, 2012. Seasonal Variations in the During the study, it is found that Sperata aor and Rita Proximate Composition of Gangetic Sillago, rita breed in May-July and November-December. Sillaginopsis panijus (Perciformes: Sillaginidae). Normally breeding period of catfish varies from April to Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research, December but June and July was peak time for the 11(5): 559-562. breeding of maximum catfish species observed in this 4. Kabir, K.M.R., R.K. Adhikary, M.B. Hossain and study. M.H. Minar, 2012. Livelihood Status of Fishermen of Due to overfishing, geographical change, habitat the Old , Bangladesh. World Applied Sciences Journal, 16(6): 869-873. degradation, pollution and illegal fishing the catfish 5. Chowdhury, A.K.J., D. Saha, M.B. Hossain, biodiversity degrading rapidly in the Sylhet sadar. M. Shamsuddin and M.H. Minar, 2012. Chemicals Different types of fishing gears were observed to catch Used in Freshwater Aquaculture with Special catfish in the study area, such as Seine net, Currentjal, Emphasis to Fish Health Management of Noakhali, Fashjal, Kafrijal, Mosharijal, Fandajal etc were more Bangladesh. African Journal of Basic and Applied common fishing gears. However only traditional fishing Sciences, 4(4): 110-114. done in the study area where as some small-scale fishing 6. Rahman, M.S., A.A. Mamun, M. Rahman, was done also in commercial purposes. M.B. Hossain, M.H. Minar and N.J. Maheen, 2013. In a nutshell, it could be said that the fish production Illegal Marketing of Freshwater Turtles and in Sylhet sadar had declined alarmingly. Beside this, Tortoises in Different Markets of Bangladesh. there was no effective management committee as well as American-Eurasian Journal of Scientific Research, policy for this Sylhet sadar. So, some management 8(1): 15-23. policies should be adopted. With the increase of fish 7. Azher, S.A., F. Khanom, S. Dewan, M.A. Wahab production the socio-economic conditions of fishermen and M.A.B. Habib, 2007. Impacts of fish sanctuaries will be improved. For this, GOs and NGOs organization on macrobenthic organisms in a haor River, the should be come forward and assisted fishermen to go Mohisherkandi Boranpur, Kishoregonj. Bangladesh ahead. J. Fish., 30: 11-22.

39 World J. Zool., 10 (1): 34-40, 2015

8. Hossain. 1971. The commercial fishes of the Bay of 13. Fish Base, 2013. List of freshwater fishes for Bengal (Survey for the development of fisheries, East Bangladesh. http:// www. fishbase. org/ Country/ , Chittagong) UNDP project Pub No. 1 Pak, Country Checklist. php Access on December, 10, 22: 1-6. 2013. 9. Howlader. 1976. A taxonomic account of penaeid 14. Rahman, A.K.A., 2005. Freshwater fish of shrimps of Bangladesh w aters. Bangladesh Bangladesh. Zoological society of Bangladesh, Journal of Science and Industrial Researches, Dhaka, pp: 366. Xl (1-4): 122-138. 15. Sylhet-Mymensingh basin fish stock assesment, 2002 10. Shafi, M. and M.M.A. Quddus, 1982. Fisheries Final report. Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Resources of Bangladesh (Bangladesher Matshaya Reverine station, Chandpur, Bangladesh, pp: 63. Sampad, in Bengali), Bangla Academy, Dhaka, 16. Ali, M.Y., G.M. Salim, M.A. Mannan, M.M. Rahman, Bangladesh. W. Sabbir and A. Murshida, 2004. Fish species 11. Day, Jr. J.W., C.A.S. Hall, M.W. Kemp and availability observed in the fish landing centers of A. Yanez-Arancibia, 1989. Estuarine Ecology. John Khulna district in Bangladesh. Journal of Biological Wiley and Sons, New York, pp: 576. Science, 4(5): 575-580. 12. Talwar, P.K. and A.G. Jhigran, 1991. Inland fishes of 17. IUCN. 2000. Red Book of Threatened Fish of and adjacent countries. Mohan Primlani for Bangladesh. IUCN Bangladesh country office, Oxford and IBH publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, Dhaka, Bangladesh, pp: 116. pp: 1-2.

40