Physico-chemical Parameters and Freshwater Fish Diversity of Sip River Madhya Pradesh, India

This study was carried out to analyze the variation in water quality and to investigate the current status of the fish fauna of the Sip river. Water samples and fish specimens were collected on monthly basis from six stations in the months of August 2017- July 2018. All the water quality attributes were found in the acceptable range that supports fish species, except stations IV and V, where pollution load was gradually increases. Seasonal changes in the physico-chemical parameters such as water temperature, pH, DO, free CO2 and total alkalinity revealed the effect on fish species diversity as well as health status of the river. The checklist of fish species recovered during the study was a total of 19 fish species belonging to 9 families, 13 genera and 4 orders. The family Cyprinidae dominant with 11 species, followed by Ambassidae 2 species, while as Bagridae, Channidae, Gobidae, Heteropneustidae, Nandidae and Siluridae each recorded 1 species, respectively. A total of 341 individuals of different fish species were caught from the different stations by using various fishing gears like cast net, gill net, hook and rod methods. Among all the stations studied, the maximum values of abundance 112 and 105 individuals was recorded from V and II stations, followed by I and VI stations having 57 and 51 individuals, while as minimum abundance 7 and 9 individuals was recorded from III and IV stations, respectively. Maximum values of Shannon-Weiner index (2.454) and Simpson’s index (0.906) were recorded from station-V (Pandagaon), while as minimum values of these indices (0.529 and 0.345) were recorded from stations-IV (Syampura). However, maximum values of Margalef’s index (2.793) and Pielou’s index (0.9898) were found from station-II (Ambhakadim) and station-III (Jiryna). The results of the study showed that the Sip river harbors rich ichthyofaunal diversity, but due to some anthropogenic pressure and illegal fishing practices adversely affected the fish diversity. The present study provide base line data initiative to update the current status of fish diversity and water quality parameters and will be useful to enhance the management and conservation strategies, for the fish species of Sip river. Therefore, important steps should be taken into consideration to increase the long-term sustainability of water health and fish activities in the river system