Electronic Journal of Biology

Exotic Fish Biodiversity in Churni River of West Bengal, India

Study included survey and sampling carried out in ten sites of the Churni River to ascertain the qualitative and quantitative abundance of exotic fish species inhabiting the river. Extensive survey showed that eight exotic fish species under 3 orders, 4 families and 6 genera were listed from the Churni River. Results also demonstrated that 5–8% exotic fish of total catch was present in the Churni River where, both Oreochromis mossambicus (2.5–3.2%) and Cyprinus carpio (2–3%) have established highest populations and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) showed lowest population among all exotic fish species. Therefore, it may be concluded that the reverine ecosystem consisting various natural foods in different niches of the river is an important exotic fish diversified zone. Moreover the exotic fishes, as an efficient consumer of these foods, reduce the river pollution and stabilize the riverine ecosystem and acts as an instrument for yield optimization in the river.

Author(s): Jatindra Nath Bhakta, Probir Kumar Bandyopadhyay

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