RITU KUMARI, DEVAGY PRATAP SINGH, SUSHMA KEISHAM, PRINCE, H.S. MOGALEKAR
ABSTRACT
The prime objective of the study was to invent the fish diversity of Saryu River in Gabhirar village,Bihar.The diversity of fish fauna has never been studied in the Saryu River. In this study, the Seven species of freshwater fishes have been recorded belonging to 7 genera and 6 families. Cyprinidae was the dominant family (2 species) in the study area. Mastacembelus armatus, Clupisoma garua, Mystus vittatus, Labeo rohita, Gagata cenia, and Puntius sophore fall under the List Concern category, while Ompok bimaculatus falls under the Near Threatened category. All the 7 species of fishes found are endemic to India and are valued for their aesthetic qualities.
INTRODUCTION
The earliest extensive study documenting fish diversity in Indian rivers was conducted by Francis Hamilton in 1822, during which he recorded 269 fish species from the Ganga River and its tributaries (Hamilton, 1822). Following this pioneering work, numerous researchers across India have carried out similar studies at various times, and their findings have been published in diverse formats. (Jayaram, 1981; Das et al., 2020; Pradhan et al., 2021).
According to Fricke and Eschmeyer (2025), there are 37,109 recognized fish species globally, with 18,896 classified as freshwater species. In India, approximately 3,247 fish species have been identified, distributed across 1,044 genera, 256 families, and 57 orders (NBFGR, 2025). The diversity of fish species in river ecosystems is largely influenced by a range of ecological factors, including river size, surface area, average annual discharge, temperature, depth, water flow, channel structure, substrate composition, and climatic conditions. (Proff and Zimmerman, 2010).
The Saryu River, also referred to as the Ghaghra, originates in the Himalayas and travels through Uttar Pradesh before entering Bihar, where it eventually merges with the Ganga River in the Saran district. The river stretches over a length of approximately 350 to 400 kilometers and holds religious and cultural significance, especially in the Ayodhya region of Uttar Pradesh, where it is mentioned in ancient Hindu texts such as the Vedas and the Ramayana. Assessing fish diversity in a specific area like the Saryu River is essential not only for the sustainable management and conservation of fish populations but also for educating local farmers and communities about the importance of preserving their aquatic resources. The current study aims to evaluate the fish diversity in the Saryu River within the Siwan district of Bihar.
This study was undertaken to assess the ichthyofaunal diversity of the Saryu River, specifically in the Gabhihar region of Bihar. The primary objective is to enhance scientific understanding of the river’s fish diversity to support effective conservation strategies. Such knowledge is crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability of both fish populations and their natural habitats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fish sampling was conducted during the month of May at Gabhihar village in the Saryu River, Bihar. Collections were carried out during the morning hours(6:00 A.M.) using a range of nets with varying mesh sizes, including cast nets, gill nets, and drag nets, to ensure the capture of a broad spectrum of species. Following capture, fish specimens were anesthetized, cleaned, and preserved in 5% formalin solution. The preserved samples were then transported to the laboratory for further analysis. Species-level identification was performed using the taxonomic keys and methodologies described by Talwar and Jhingran (1991) and Jayaram (2010). The conservation status of each recorded species was determined based on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Version 2025-1).
RESULT
The primary aim of the study was to assess the fish diversity in the Saryu River, located in Gabhirar, Siwan district, Bihar. A total of seven freshwater fish species were recorded in the river. These include Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepède, 1800) from the family Mastacembelidae, Clupisoma garua (Hamilton, 1822) from Ailiidae, Mystus vittatus (Bloch, 1794) from Bagridae, two species—Labeorohita (Hamilton, 1882) and Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822)—from Cyprinidae, Gagatacenia (Hamilton, 1822) from Sisoridae, and Ompokbimaculatus (Bloch, 1794) from Siluridae (Table 1).
DISCUSSION
Virendra et al. (2025) carried out a study on fish diversity in the Burhi Gandak River between August 2020 and June 2021. They identified a total of 71 fish species, comprising 67 native and 4 exotic species. These species were distributed across 28 families, 52 genera, and 10 orders. The order Cypriniformes was the most prevalent, representing 45% of the total diversity with 19 recorded species.
Srivastava (2012) investigated fish diversity along a 10 km stretch of the Gandak River in Uttar Pradesh, documenting species composition, distribution patterns, conservation status, and the significance of ornamental and commercially valuable fishes. The study, conducted from November 2010 to October 2011, recorded 54 fish species, many of which hold commercial importance. Conservation assessments revealed that 45% of the species were categorized as Lower Risk Near Threatened (LRnt), 26% as Vulnerable (VU), 11% as Lower Risk Least Concern (LRlc), 11% as Not Evaluated (NE), and 7% as Endangered (EN). Among the recorded species, the Cyprinidae family was the most dominant, comprising 33%, followed by Bagridae (11%), Channidae (9%), and Tetraodontidae (5%).
Gunasekar&Isaac, (2017) conducted a study on fish diversity in the Indrapuri Dam located in Rohtas district. Conducted between August 2015 and January 2016, the survey identified 25 freshwater fish species across 5 orders, 12 families, and 21 genera. Among these, the family Cyprinidae had the highest representation with six species, followed by Schilbeidae with five species, and Bagridae with three species. Two species each were recorded from the families Siluridae and Cichlidae. The remaining families—Clariidae, Erethistidae, Heteropneustidae, Pangasiidae, Mastacembelidae, Channidae, and Notopteridae—were each represented by a single species.
Kumari and Yadav (2020) conducted a year-long study from January to December 2019 on fish diversity across five tributaries of the Ganga River—Mithai Dhar, Bhirkhi Dhar, Gomati Dhar, Budhma Dhar, and the Sursar River of the Kosi basin. They recorded a total of 45 fish species, classified into 33 genera, 18 families, and 8 orders. The order Cypriniformes was the most dominant, accounting for 42.2% of the species, followed by Siluriformes (24.4%), Perciformes (15.6%), Osteoglossiformes and Symbranchiformes (each 4.4%), and Clupeiformes and Tetraodontiformes (each 2.2%). The family Cyprinidae showed the highest species richness with 15 species, followed by Bagridae with 4 species. Based on IUCN classification, the study found 2 species listed as Vulnerable, 7 as Near Threatened, 33 as Least Concern, 1 as Data Deficient, and 2 species as Not Evaluated
Murugan and Prabaharan, (2011) carried out a study on fish diversity in the Kamala Basin reservoir located in Darbhanga district. Conducted between June 2010 and May 2011, the study identified 35 fish species belonging to 22 families. Among these, the family Cyprinidae was the most prominent with 31 species, followed by Cobitidae and Ophiocephalidae with 4 species each, and Bagridae with 6 species.
Kumar Niraj (2012) investigated fish diversity in Turkaulia Lake, situated in East Champaran, Bihar. Over a one-year period from June 2011 to July 2012, he recorded 40 fish species distributed across 9 orders, 18 families, and 27 genera. The Cyprinidae family was the most abundant, comprising 14 species. Among the recorded genera, Puntius was the most dominant, followed by various species of carps and catfishes.
In comparison, our survey of the Saryu River, conducted during a single morning visit, recorded seven distinct fish species representing 6 families and 7 genera.
Table 1.: Fish diversity of Saryu River,Gabhirar, Siwan district, Bihar
| Order/Family/Species | Common Name | Local Name | Length Range (cm) | Endemic/ Exotic | IUCN Status | Category |
| Order: Synbranchiformes | ||||||
| Family: Mastacembelidae | ||||||
| Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepède, 1800) | Zig-zag eel | Bami | 12.0 | Endemic | LC | Commercial/ Aquarium |
| Order: Siluriformes | ||||||
| Family: Ailiidae | ||||||
| Clupisoma garua (Hamilton, 1822) | Garuabachcha | Bachwa | 8.0 | Endemic | LC | Commercial/gamefish |
| Order: Siluriformes | ||||||
| Family:Bagridae | ||||||
| Mystus vittatus (Bloch, 1794) | Striped dwarf catfish | Tengara | 5.9 | Endemic | LC | Commercial/ Aquarium |
| Order:Cypriniformes | ||||||
| Family: Cyprinidae | ||||||
| Labeo rohita (Hamilton 1882) | Rohu | Rohu | 7.8 | Endemic | LC | Food |
| Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822) | Pool barb | Puti | 7.0 | Endemic | LC | Ornamental/ Food |
| Order: Siluriformes | ||||||
| Family: Sisoridae | ||||||
| Gagata cenia (Hamilton, 1822) | Clown Catfish | Baghi | 2.5 | Endemic | LC | Ornamental |
| Order:Siluriformes | ||||||
| Family: Siluridae | ||||||
| Ompok bimaculatus | Butter catfish | Chechera | 9.5 | Endemic | NT | Food |
LC-Least Concerned
NT – Near Threatened;
CONCLUSION
Of the 7 species of freshwater fishes, 6 species listed under List Concerned category. All the 7 species of freshwater fishes are ornamentally appreciated and are having food value too.
*References can be provided on request
