ISSN: 2577-4050
Authors: Ahmad A*, Haq HU, Zahid M, Mahmood I and Mushtaq M
The current study aimed to investigate the diversity and distribution of freshwater fish in the districts of Mardan, located in the northwest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. Mardan is home to numerous streams and rivers between the Indus and Kabul rivers, making it an important area for fishing and farming. A total of 250 fish samples were collected from February to November 2021. Eight species were identified in Mardan, including Mastacembelus armatus, Gara gotyla, Cyprinus carpio, Puntius ticto, Caraccius auratus, Oreochromis mosambicus, Puntius sophore, and Tor 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.
Keywords: Fish Fauna; Biodiversity; District Mardan; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
