Indigenous Ornamental Fish Diversity in Torsa and ... Ornamental Fish Diversity in Torsa and Ghargharia: Nature’s Conservation Strategy and

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J. Agric. Technol., 2(1&2): 21-27 (2015) ISSN: 2348-4721

Indigenous Ornamental Fish Diversity in Torsa and Ghargharia: Nature’s Conservation Strategy

D. Sarkar1, Arpita Dey2 and N. Ray3

1,2,3Fishery Unit, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari–736165, Cooch Behar, West Bengal E-mail: [email protected]

A rapid survey conducted during pre monsoon, post monsoon and winter season of three consecutive years (2011-2013) from selected sampling sites and landing centres of Torsa and its offshoot, Ghargharia river of Coochbehar District revealed 24 and 26 indigenous ornamental fish species belonging to 8 and 9 orders and 19 and 21 genera respectively. Cypriniformes was recorded to be the largest representing Order in both Torsa and Ghargharia bearing 10 and 12 species respectively. Study on availability of seven selected threatened indigenous ornamental fish as experimental species under order Cypriniformes (3), Cyprinodontiformes (2) and Perciformes (2), reported as rare in other river system of West Bengal, revealed their frequent availability in Torsa and Ghargharia river. In Ghargharia, most of the experimental fish species was recorded plenty in numbers. Chanda nama was absent in Torsa but it was present in moderate number in Ghargharia (15). Endangered species, Esomus danricus was found in good quantity in Torsa (34) which was recorded highest in Ghargharia (63) being 1.85 times higher than Torsa. The population of Amblypharyngodon mola and Colisa fasciatus in Ghargharia were recorded double than that recorded in Torsa. Puntius ticto, the vulnerable one was found 1.5 times higher in Ghargharia. Most significantly, Colisa lalia was recorded 7.00 times higher in Ghargharia showing better citation than Torsa. Only exception is Chanda ranga showing higher availability in Torsa. Present observation clearly indicates a relationship between course and area covered by the river and biodiversity richness. Torsa, being the main river course, facing indiscriminate anthropogenic exploitation demonstrates a declining trend of fish diversity whereas Ghargharia, the offshoot having lesser anthropogenic activities depicts more rich species diversity which enlightens us to think about the Nature’s inherent conservation strategy adopted by a more virgin offshoot like Ghargharia river.

Keywords: Conservation, Ornamental Fish Biodiversity, Torsa River, Ghargharia River

INTRODUCTION Coochbehar district of West Bengal lying between 25057′47″ to 26036′2″ North and between 89054′35″ to 88047′44″ East, is very unique in its topography and climatic characteristics bearing terai agro-climatic characteristics and a total water stretch of more than 6121 ha including hill stream rivers, beels and others aquaculture resources. The total riverine network includes some major rivers like Torsa, Ghargharia, Kaljani, Gadadhar etc which are the potential sources of huge indigenous fish diversity along with a considerable number of endemic ornamental fish population. Swain et. al., (2008) estimated more than 100 varieties of indigenous ornamental fish from total Indian freshwater ecosystem. Barat et. al., (2005) reported 21 ornamental fish species from Darjeeling and

Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal whereas a substantial database on fish diversity in Torsa and Ghargharia river of Coochbehar was reported by Sarkar et. al., (2015). However, the reports, till date, are insufficient specifically with respect to ornamental fish diversity in northern part of West Bengal which prompted the present investigation for generation of a primary database on the ornamental fish diversity and its current status in Torsa, the main river and Ghargharia, a tributary of Torsa river.

It is already reported that about 70% of exportable ornamental fish are contributed by Terai region of North Bengal indicating indeed the huge potential of ornamental fish sector in this particular agro-climatic zone. But unfortunately, the rich biodiversity are continuously being threatened by the act of devastating anthropogenic interference on

Journal of Agriculture and Technology

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water resources leading to a sharp decline in the indigenous fish population along with natural resources. Therefore, proper attention is the real need of the hour to protect such diversity in their natural habitat.

The present investigation has been dealt with some selected threatened ornamental fish species (as per CAMP, 1998 and IUCN, 2010) found in Torsa and its offshoot Ghargharia to assess the nature of exploitation in the rivers under study in terms of degree of threatening and also to observe nature’s inherent protection mechanism, if any, for conservation against human exploitation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study was carried out in Torsa, the main river and the Ghargharia an off-shoot of the Torsa river, flowing through Coochbehar district of West Bengal. The data on occurrence and abundance of indigenous ornamental fishes were collected during survey and sampling carried out bimonthly from five selected station of Ghargharia during September, 2011 to September, 2013 using cast nets and gill net of different mesh sizes (Arun, 1998). The specific river sites and markets at Baneswar and Maruganj, fed with Ghargharia river production, were surveyed for species diversity and relative abundance study. Similarly the specific river sites and markets at Pundibari, Rajarhat and Cooch Behar Barabazar fed with fish catch from Torsa river were surveyed for species diversity and relative abundance study. The live fish were counted, photographed and preserved in formaldehyde solution and identified using standard taxonomic keys of Jayaram (1961) and Talwar and Jhingran (1991). Data were analysed on the basis of availability of species at river sites and markets fed by the riverine resource. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2010) and CAMP (1998) were followed to assign the conservation status of the fish species collected.

Three cypriniformes indigenous ornamental fish namely Amblypharyngodon mola, Puntius ticto, Esomus danricus, two Cyprinodontiformes fish namely Colisa fasciatus, and Colisa lalia and two perciformes fish namely Chanda nama and Chanda ranga, reported as threatened, endangered and vulnerable fish species of West Bengal respectively (Mukherjee et.al.,2005.), were taken into account for a comparative study on their availability in two rivers and to find out nature’s own strategy, if any, to conserve its ichthyofauna diversity.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Species Diversity In Ghargharia: Twenty-six (26) indigenous ornamental fish species belonging to 9 orders, 14 familes and 21 genera were collected from five locations of Ghargharia river and its adjacent landing centres and markets. The list of fishes collected together with their local names, commercial value such as ornamental or food fishes and relative adundance are given in Table 1. Among orders, Cypriniformes was found to be the largest with 12 species followed by Persiformes with 5 species, Channiformes with 3 species and by 2 species each from Cyprinodontiformes and Siluriformes. All other orders were represented by single species each. Family Cyprinidae was the largest accomodating 3 genera and 5 species and the genus Puntius ranked first among the genera in its numerical strength with 3 species. Family Cobitidae with 3 genera and 3 species, Family Belontidae with 2 genera and 3 species and Channidae with 1 genera and 3 species ranked next to family Cyprinidae. Family Balitoridae, Chandidae and Mastacembelidae were with 2 members each and the other families were having single member each.

In Torsa: Twenty-four (24) indigenous ornamental fish species belonging to 8 orders, 12 families and 19 genera were collected from five locations of Torsa river and its adjacent landing centres and markets (Table 2). Cypriniformes was the largest order with 10 species followed by Persiformes with 4 species, Channiformes with 3 species and by 2 species each from Cyprinodontiformes and Siluriformes. All other orders were represented by single species each. Family Cyprinidae was the largest accomodating 4 genera and 6 species and the genus Puntius ranked first among the genera in its numerical strength with 3 species. Family Channidae with 1 genera and 3 species, Family Belontidae with 2 genera and 3 species and Channidae with 1 genera and 3 species ranked next to family Cyprinidae. Family Balitoridae, Cobitidae, Chandidae and Mastacembelidae were with 2 members each and other families were having single member each.

Evaluation of Fish Germplasm for Commercial Utilization In Ghargharia: While assessing the potential utilization of the collected fishes, it was found that Puntius sarana, Colisa fasciatus, Colisa lalia, Mystus vittatus and Chanda ranga among the 26 species


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have ornamental value. Botia dario, Amblypharyngodon mola, Mastacembelus pancalus, Macrognathus aculeatus, Esomus danricus, Somileptes gongota, Danio devario, Xenentodon cancila, Puntius sophore, Puntius ticto, Nemacheilus botia, Notopterus notopterus, Nemacheilius arunachalensis, Psilorhynchus balitora and Tetradon cutcutia are potential ornamental fish that can also be exploited for commercial purpose. Species such as Gudusia chapra, Salmostoma bacaila, Ophiocephalus gachua, Ophiocephalus striatus, Ophiocephalus punctatus, Glossogobius guris and Pseudotropius aterenoides are used preferably as food fish which can additionally be explored for ornamental value also (Table 1).

In Torsa: While assessing the potential utilization of the collected fishes, it was found that Puntius conchonius, Colisa fasciatus, Colisa lalia, Mystus vittatus and Chanda ranga among the 24 species have ornamental value. Amblypharyngodon mola, Mastacembelus pancalus, Macrognathus aculeatus, Esomus danricus, Somileptes gongota, Danio devario, Xenentodon cancila, Puntius sophore, Puntius ticto, Nemacheilus botia, Notopterus notopterus, and Nemacheilius arunachalensis are potential ornamental fishes that can be exploited for commercial purpose. Species such as Gudusia chapra, Salmostoma bacaila, Ophiocephalus gachua, Ophiocephalus striatus, Ophiocephalus punctatus, Glossogobius guris and Pseudotropius aterenoides are used preferably as food fish which can additionally be explored for ornamental value also (Table 2).

Relative Abundance of Fish Species In Ghargharia: Recorded availablity of fish demonstarated that 9 species such as Puntius ticto, Puntius sophore, Esomus danricus, Amblypharyngodon mola, Gudusia chapra, Macrognathus aceculeatus, Mystus vittatus, Pseudotropius atherenoides and Notopterus notopterus were abundant in the system and were collected from all locations. Though 5 species occurred commonly in all the locations, the number of specimens collected for each species was relatively less. Species such as Colisa fasciatus, Xenontodon cancila, Mastacembelus pancalus, Puntius sarana and Salmostona bacaila belong to this category. Rest 12 species were found to be rare in this area and could not be collected from more than two locations and the numbers of specimens collected were also very less.

In Torsa: Relative abundance of fish species showed that 3 species such as Puntius ticto, Esomus

danricus and Pseudotropius atherenoides were abundant in the system and were collected from all locations. Though 7 species occurred commonly in all the locations, the number of specimens collected with respect to each species was relatively less. Species such as Macrognathus aculeatus, Gudusia chapra, Amblypharyngodon mola, Mystus vittatus, Colisa fasciatus, Puntius sophore and Salmostoma bacaila belong to this category. The other 14 species were found as rare in this area, which could not be collected from more than two locations and also the numbers of specimens collected were low.

Comparative Study on Species Diversity and their Relative Abundance in Torsa and Ghargharia Species population recorded in both netting and landing sites demonstrated non-significant variations and the data recorded in the Table 3 and Fig.1 showed average number of fish collected from both sites of Torsa and Ghargharia river.

In Torsa river (Fig. 2, Series 1), Puntius ticto was recorded significantly highest (42) followed by Esomus danricus (34). Amblypharyngodon mola was also found in moderate quantity (20) whereas Colisa fasciata, Colisa lalia and Chanda ranga population were recorded as very poor (13, 02,04 respectively) having non-significant variation between each other. Chanda nama was not at all found in Torsa. Mukherjee et.al. (2005) reported Amblypharyngodon mola, Puntius ticto and Esomus danricus as threatened, endangered and vulnerable fish species of West Bengal, all these beautiful species were found abundant in Torsa river, a major river flowing in North Bengal. The poor record of other experimental fish species namely Colisa fasciata, Colisa lalia and Chanda ranga (Fig. 5) gave some citation of these beautiful ornamental fishes from Torsa river though reported as the threatened species due to anthropogenic over exploitation leading to a declining population in Coochbehar river system.

In Ghargharia river (Fig. 2, Series 2), an offshoot of Torsa, Puntius ticto and Esomus danricus were recorded highest (64 and 63 respectively) followed by Amblypharyngodon mola (44) and others. Lowest quantity was recorded for Colisa lalia (14) followed non-significantly by Chanda ranga (01) and Chanda nama (15). Relatively high quantity was observed for Colisa fasciata (27). Like Torsa, Ghargharia also cited availability of the beautiful ornamental fish species as its own wealth, even in a better environment than Torsa.


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Fig. 1: Experimental Ornamental Fish in Torsa and Ghargharia River

Fig. 2

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70

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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Series2

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The comparative study between the main river Torsa and the offshoot Ghargharia depicted an inherent conservation strategy applied for sustaining their own diversity. In Ghargharia, most of the experimental fish species were recorded in plenty as compared to Torsa e.g. Chanda nama was absent in Torsa but was present in sufficient number in Ghargharia(15). Endangered species Esomus danricus though present in higher quantity in Torsa was recorded in even higher quantity in Ghargharia

showing 1.85 times greater availability than Torsa. The number of Amblypharyngodon mola and Colisa fasciatus in Ghargharia was double than that recorded in Torsa. Puntius ticto, the vulnerable one was calculated 1.5 times higher in Ghargharia. Most significantly, Colisa lalia was found 7.00 times higher in Ghargharia showing better citation than Torsa. Only exception is Chanda ranga which was reported to be higher in quantity in Torsa than Ghargharia.

Table 1: List of Fish Species Collected and Identified from Ghargharia River Together with Local Name Commercial Importance, Number and Relative Abundance

Local Name Scientific Name Order Family Number/ Collection

Relative Abundance Category

Chapila Gudusia chapra Clupiformes Clupeidae 50 +++ fo Loach Noemacheilus botia Cypriniformes Balitoridae 03 + po Ghutum Noemacheilus arunachalensis Cypriniformes Balitoridae 02 + Po Kukur botia Somileptes gongota Cypriniformes Cobitidae 05 + Po Mowa Amblypharyngodon mola Cypriniformes Cobitidae 44 +++ po Darikana Esomus danricus Cypriniformes Cyprinidae 63 +++ Po Puti Puntius sophore Cypriniformes Cyprinidae 47 +++ po Puti Puntius ticto Cypriniformes Cyprinidae 64 +++ po Puti Puntius sarana Cypriniformes Cyprinidae 23 +++ ho Balitora Psilorhychus balitora Cypriniformes Psilorhynchidae 01 ++ fo Chala Salmostoma bacaila Cypriniformes Cyprinidae 23 ++ po Chang Ophiocephalus gachua Channiformes Channe 03 + fo Lata Ophiocephalus punctatus Channiformes Channidae 18 + fo Shoal Ophiocephalus striatus Channiformes Channidae 15 + fo Kholsa Colisa fasciatus Cyprinodontiformes Belontidae 27 ++ ho Kholsa Colisa lalia Cyprinodontiformes Belontidae 14 + ho Kakila Xenentodon cancila Beloniformis Belonidae 36 ++ fo Chanda Chanda ranga Perciformes Chandidae 15 + ho Chanda Chanda nama Perciformes Chandidae 01 + ho Balia Glossogobius guris Perciformes Gobiidae 01 + fo Gochi Macrognathus aculeatus Persiformes Mastacembelidae 51 +++ po Gota Mastacembelus pancalus Persiformes Mastacembelidae 36 ++ po Tangra Mystus vittatus Siluriformes Bagridae 59 +++ ho Batasi Pseudeutropius atherenoid Siluriformes Schilibeidae 45 +++ fo Pholi Notopterus notopterus Osteoglossiformes Notopteridae 46 +++ po Cutcutia Tetradon cutcutia Tetradontiformes Tetradontidae 01 + Po

+++=abundant, ++=Common, +=rare, ho=highly ornamental, po=potential ornamental, fo=food fish and ornamental

Table 2: List of Fish Species Collected and Identified from Torsa River Together with Local Name, Commercial Importance, Number and Relative Abundance

Local Name Scientific Name Order Family Number/ Collection

Relative Abundance Category

Chapila Gudusia chapra Clupiformes Clupeidae 22 ++ fo Loach Noemacheilus botia Cypriniformes Balitoridae 01 + po Ghutum Noemacheilus arunachalensis Cypriniformes Balitoridae 02 + Po Kukur botia Somileptes gongota Cypriniformes Cobitidae 06 + Po Mowa Amblypharyngodon mola Cypriniformes Cobitidae 20 ++ Po Devario puthi Danio devario Cypriniformes Cyprinidae 01 + Po Darikana Esomus danricus Cypriniformes Cyprinidae 34 +++ Po Puti Puntius sophore Cypriniformes Cyprinidae 13 ++ Po Puti Puntius ticto Cypriniformes Cyprinidae 42 +++ Po Puti Puntius conchonius Cypriniformes Cyprinidae 06 + Ho Chala Salmostoma bacaila Cypriniformes Cyprinidae 20 ++ fo Chang Ophiocephalus gachua Channiformes Channidae 02 + fo Lata Ophiocephalus punctatus Channiformes Channidae 08 + fo

Table 2 (Contd.)…


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…Table 2 (Contd.) Shoal Ophiocephalus striatus Channiformes Channidae 02 + fo Kholsa Colisa fasciatus Cyprinodontiformes Belontidae 13 ++ ho Kholsa Colisa lalia Cyprinodontiformes Belontidae 02 + ho Kakila Xenentodon cancila Beloniformis Belonidae 08 + Po Chanda Chanda ranga Perciformes Chandidae 04 + ho Balia Glossogobius guris Perciformes Gobiidae 02 + fo Gochi Macrognathus aculeatus Persiformes Mastacembelidae 23 ++ Po Gota Mastacembelus pancalus Persiformes Mastacembelidae 07 + Po Tangra Mystus vittatus Siluriformes Bagridae 13 ++ ho Batasi Pseudeutropius atherenoides Siluriformes Schilbeidae 26 +++ fo Pholi Notopterus notopterus Osteoglossiformes Notopteridae 04 + po

+++=abundant, ++=common, +=rare, ho= highly ornamental, po=potential ornamental, fo=food fish and ornamental

Table 3: Number of Selected Fish Collected from Sampling Sites of Torsa and Ghargharia River Flowing in Coochbehar District of West Bengal

Experimental Fish Species Common Name Torsa (in Number)*

Ghargharia (in Number)*

Amblypharyngodon mola Mowa 20 44 Esomus danricus Darikana 34 63 Puntius ticto Puti 42 64 Colisa fasciatus Kholsa 13 27 Colisa lalia Kholsa 02 14 Chanda nama Chanda 00 15 Chanda ranga Chanda 04 01 CD at 5% -- 16.21 20.35

*per netting/average of nettings

CONCLUSION Anthropogenic interference on riverine as well as wetland resources in the form of improper and irrational fish catch, disposal of municipal wastes into the water resources, aquatic weed infestation, agricultural run-off, pesticide use in upper stretch of river etc (Sarkar and Ray,2004) were also found to be very common in the present study area. Fortunately, the chance of industrial pollution is very less in the said area due to lesser growth of industrial sector. So far as the course of river was concerned, the anthropogenic activities have been detected to be more profound in the main course of Torsa where the population pressure as well as agricultural run-off are higher than their off-shoots. The course of the Ghargharia was recorded to flow though the less crowded rural or semi-urban area where the anthropogenic activities are expected to be low. There is an inherent strategy of nature to conserve its own creation even at the cost of its maximum tolerable limit against stress (Mukherjee et. al., 2005), imposed upon it by inconsiderate or less considerate mankind. The same truth has been reflected in our present study. Torsa, the main river course having maximum exploitation and Ghargharia, the offshoot having less anthropogenic activities are expressing a greater degree of

difference in their intensity and variability ofish population as they flow through different demographic areas.

Research works should explore these river offshoots so that biodiversity can be cited more and more for documentation of rich biodiversity as well as conservation strategy expressed by these natural resources as observed in the present study. Threatened ornamental fish species like Chanda ranga,,Chanda nama, Colisa lalia and Colisa fasciatus which were not reported earlier or Amblypharyngodon mola, Esomus danricus and Puntius ticto which were reported as endangered, vulnerable and threatened one in case of the rivers of West Bengal can be explored satisfactorily from virgin river off-shoots like Ghargharia documenting rich biodiversity. In addition, it is the appropriate need of the hour to generate awareness amongst the people towards minimizing their exploitation on the natural resources to save and conserve successfully the lives existing there.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Authors are grateful to the Department of Biotechnology and Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi for financial support to conduct such activities.


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Mukherjee, M. and Sarkar, G. (2005), In: Endangered Fishes of West Bengal, with a Special Reference to North Bengal on Research, Restoration, and Future Plan of Action, Published by Deptt. of Fisheries, Aquaculture, Aquatic Resources and Fishing Harbour, April 2005.

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Sarkar, D. and Dey, A. (2015), “In Search of Ichthyofauna Diversity: A Study on Torsa River in Cooch Behar District of West Bengal”, International Journal of Pure & Applied Biosciences, Vol. 3, No. 4.

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Indigenous Ornamental Fish Diversity in Torsa and ... Ornamental Fish Diversity in Torsa and Ghargharia: Nature’s Conservation Strategy and