Fisheries and Aquaculture Journal
Open Access

Abstract

Comparative Analysis of Fish Fauna of District Mardan and Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Ashfaq Ahmad*

The current study aimed to investigate the diversity and distribution of freshwater fish in the districts of Mardan and Swabi, located in the Northwest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. Mardan and Swabi are home to numerous streams and rivers between the Indus and Kabul rivers, making them an important area for fishing and farming. A total of 200 fish samples were collected from April to September 2021. Ten species were identified in Swabi, belonging to the families cyprinidae, cichlidae, bagridae, and clupeidae, and orders cypriniformes, perciformes, siluriformes, and clupieformes, with the most abundant being the cyprinidae family. Eight species were identified in Mardan, including Mastacembelus armatus, Garra gotyla, Cyprinus carpio, Puntius ticto, Caraccius auratus, Oreochromis mosambicus, Puntius sophore, and T. putitora. The results suggest that overfishing and water pollution are major factors affecting the survival and expansion of fish species in the area. To improve the fish populations in the rivers and streams, proper stocking and regulations to control overfishing and pollution are needed. The study found that the cyprinidae family was the most dominant, with eight species identified in the experimental area. However, the number of mastacembelidae and cichlidae was found to be low due to pollution, toxic heavy metals, and other environmental factors that affect breeding and other activities of fish.

Published Date: 2023-04-26; Received Date: 2023-02-09