Exploring the Biodiversity of Fishes of Gandiali Dam in District Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Ichthyological diversity reflects the richness of fish species in aquatic environments. Globally, 8,411 freshwater fish species have been documented. In Pakistan, approximately 193 freshwater fish species have been recorded, belonging to class Actinopterygii, subclass Teleostei, comprising three cohorts, six superorders, thirteen orders, thirty families, and eighty-six genera. The present study was conducted to investigate the status of fish biodiversity in Gandiali Dam, Kohat, during February 2024. A total of 25 specimens representing four species were collected and identified using the keys of Ahmed and Sandhu (2007). The identified species belonged to class Actinopterygii, comprising two orders (Cypriniformes and Siluriformes) and two families (Cyprinidae and Siluridae). The Cyprinidae family included Labeo rohita, Cyprinus carpio, and Cirrhinus mrigala, while Ompok bimaculatus represented the Siluridae family. The results indicate that Cyprinidae is the dominant family in Gandiali Dam. Notably, Ompok bimaculatus was recorded for the first time from this site. The study highlights the need for continuous monitoring to conserve and manage the fish biodiversity of Gandiali Dam sustainably.