ICHTHYODIVERSITY OF

RIVER INDUS, AT JAMSHORO DISTRICT,

SINDH.

The Indus River in the North of Pakistan flows in a southerly

direction through the entire length of the country and merges

into the Arabian Sea at Karachi. The total length of the river is

about 3180 Km (1976 miles), the estimated annual flow is 207

Km3 and the river has a total drainage area greater than

1,165,000 Km2 = 450,000 m2 Korai, (2010).

Introduction of River Indus

Importance of Ichthyodiversity The study of fish and their stability is important. Fish population of

any given aquatic habitat can vary significantly from year to year.

Consequently, it would be necessary to carry out several studies in

the consecutive years in order to get clear picture. The stability of

fish has profound importance due to urgent need of environmental

management to know how much fish population naturally change

over time William, (1998). There are more than 186 freshwater fish

species described from freshwater bodies in Pakistan.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fish samples were collected from three stations of River Indus

at Jamshoro, 1. Karachi Wah, 2. Al-Mazar and 3. Phuleli, during

February 2010 to February 2011 on monthly basis. Samples

were collected from catch of fisher-men from three stations of

River Indus, by gill netting (mesh size 2.0-2.5 cm). Samples

were preserved in 10% formalin; 5 cc of formalin was injected

in the belly of fish with disposable syringe (BD), packed in

polythene bags and brought into laboratory at Department of

Fresh Water Biology and Fisheries, University of Sindh

Jamshoro.

MAP OF RIVER INDUS INDICATING SAMPLING SITES

IDENTIFICATION OF FISHES

The fishes was identified from the present literature,

various publication of Francis Day, Jayaram, K. C.

and Mirza, M. R. With counting fins, shape,

placement of pectoral, pelvic, anal and caudal fins.

Color pigments, size of body, body shape, barbells

(if present), scales present on the body, caudal fin

type, spines (if present), lateral line. These whole

parameter were considered.

RESULTS

Present study was the part of ongoing studies on ichthyodiversity

of River Indus. During present studies fifty fish species were

identified. Majorly twenty two fish species were belonged to

family Cyprinidae, six species to Bagridae, four species to

Channidae, three species to Mastacembelidae, two species each to

Cichlidae, Clupeidae, Siluridae, Notopteridae, Nandidae,

Schilbeidae and one species each to Clariidae, Gobiidae and

Belonidae.

Results

Cyprinid’s shows great diversity, thirteen species were

belonged to sub-family Barbinae, four species belonging to

sub family Cultrinae, three species to Rasborinae, one species

each to Cyprininae and Asidoparinae.

Secondly Bagridae consist large number of individuals, five

species were belonged to sub-family Bagrinae and single

specie to Ritinae. Securicula gora, Salmophasia bacaila, Chela

cachius, Barilius bendelisis and Aspidoparia morar were

rerecorded from River Indus after flood.

Conclusion

These species were not recorded for time being from River

Indus at Sindh by researchers; so far these species are

rerecorded during present studies. No parasitic or fungal

infection was found from the fishes of River Indus.