The Freshwater Fish diversity of Goa
The Freshwater Fish diversity of Goa
Of the states in Peninsular India with rivers originating in the Western Ghats, Goa remains the least explored. As part of the efforts to catalogue the freshwater fish diversity of the Western Ghats, NBFGR Kochi Unit in collaboration with ICAR Research complex for Goa conducted surveys of freshwater habitats in Goa from 22-27 October 2013 and 1-6 March 2014. Eight sampling locations (Valpoi-1 and 2, Chorla Ghat, Anjunem, Morla Nadi, Collem-1 and 2, Pansamol) covering the two major river systems in Goa, Mandovi and Zuari, were sampled using cast nets, drag nets and scoop nets. The survey yielded 40 species of freshwater fish and 7 species of crustaceans and 2 species of molluscs. The research team included Dr. V. S. Basheer, Senior Scientist (NBFGR), Sreekanth G. B., Scientist (ICAR RC for Goa), Manju Lekshmi, Scientist (ICAR RC for Goa), Rahul G. Kumar, Shanis and Shyam (NBFGR).
The major species obtained during the survey are Pethia setnai, Haludaria pradhani, Rasbora dandia, Aspidoparia morar, Devario malabaricus, Devario aequipinnatus, Garra mullaya, Aplocheilus lineatus, Dawkinsia filamentosa, Mystus malabaricus, Schistura altipedunculatus, Carinotetraodon travancoricus, Channa gachua, Channa marulius, Puntius mahecola, Ompok sp. etc. Crustaceans observed during the survey were Macrobrachium canarae, Caridina sp. and Parathelphusa sp.