Fish Diversity of the Titas River, Bangladesh: Present Status and Conservation Needs

F. T. Juhra
Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh

Abdullah Al Asek
Halda River Research Laboratory, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh

Mohammad Shamsil Arafeen
Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh

M. A. Habib Siam
Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh

J. K. Owaresat
Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh

Md. Manzoorul Kibria

Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh
Halda River Research Laboratory, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52756/lbsopf.2024.e01.011

Keywords: Fish, diversity, Titas River, Conservation, Bangladesh

Abstract:
The transboundary river Titas, originating from India, follows through Bangladesh and shows a significant number of fish species throughout its journey. The current research identifies a collective of 64 species across 29 families. Among these, Cypriniformes emerged as the predominant order, with 22 species. The remaining, 16, 11, 4, 3, 2, 2, 2, 1, and 1 species were recorded from Perciformes, Siluriformes, Clupeiformes, Synbranchiformes, Osteoglossiformes, Beloniformes, Decapoda, Cichliformes, and Tetraodontiformes, respectively. Considering the status from IUCN Bangladesh 2015, among the total species, 9.38% were endangered, 10.94% were vulnerable, 12.50% were near threatened, 59.38% were least concerned, 6.25% were data-deficient, and 2.78% were not evaluated. The diversity index, richness index, and evenness index yielded values of 1.78790, 4.90816, and 0.42990, respectively. Analysis of the diversity and richness indices indicated that fish fauna diversity peaked during July (monsoon) and reached its lowest point in January (winter). Throughout the study duration, the proportion of rare fish species in the total catch, at 21.81%, underscores the site’s considerable potential for natural conservation. The main reasons for the decreased diversity in the studied areas are brood fish catching and the usage of small mesh-sized nets during breeding season. This problem could be overcome by creating both permanent and temporary fish sanctuaries (during breeding seasons) and increasing awareness among fishery communities and consumers about the importance of the conservation of fish diversity.

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How to Cite
F. T. Juhra, Abdullah Al Asek, Mohammad Shamsil Arafeen, M. A. Habib Siam, J. K. Owaresat, and Md. Manzoorul Kibria (2024). Fish Diversity of the Titas River, Bangladesh: Present Status and Conservation Needs. © International Academic Publishing House (IAPH), Dr. Somnath Das, Dr. Ashis Kumar Panigrahi, Dr. Rose Stiffin and Dr. Jayata Kumar Das (eds.), Life as Basic Science: An Overview and Prospects for the Future Volume: 1, pp. 131-143. ISBN: 978-81-969828-9-8 doi: https://doi.org/10.52756/lbsopf.2024.e01.011

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