Author(s): B. Laxmappa, Ravinder Rao Bakshi, D. Venkata Siva Narayana

Abstract: The diversity of freshwater fish species of the Krishna River in Mahabubnagar district was studied from January 2012 to December 2014. The study area covered about 250 km from Makthal taluk where the Bhima tributary joins the Krishna River, the state border of Telangana to Kollapur taluk in the district. The survey was mainly focused on Ichthyofaunal diversity. A total of 109 fish species belonging to 7 orders 19 families and 46 genera was recorded during the study. Order Cypriniformes were most dominant group represent by 61 species followed by Siluriformes, Perciformes, Synbranchiformes, Beloniformes, Osteoglossiformes and Anguilliformes. Among the families recorded, Cyprinidae was the most dominant followed by the Bagridae. Results of the present study showed that 59 species common, 31 species scanty and 19 species were found rare in the area. The study also revealed that the river isrnmostly stressed in nature due to anthropogenic activities and over exploitation of fishes throughout the year. It is suggested that some urgent steps and awareness programmes is needed to educate people about the importance of the Krishna River, its biodiversity and fish productivity in future.

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