Distribution of freshwater fishes in Annassery pond, Thalakkulathoor Panchayat, Kozhikode Thaluk, Kerala

Abstract

In the present communication, an attempt has been made to systematically classify freshwater fishes in Annassery pond Kozhikode. The survey was conducted for a period from June 2020 to May 2021 mainly focused on the distribution and diversity of freshwater fishes. The field studies identified about 8 species of fish belonging to 7 genera, 6 families, and 5 orders based on IUCN status. The fishes diversity in aquatic ponds are very limited and the first-ever systematic survey on the fish diversity of this pond. Among the diversified fishes, Siluriformes and Anabantiformes were found most dominant order represented by 7 and 2 genera. Currently, most of the freshwater fishes population are gradually decreasing may due to climatic factors influences, and manmade activities, in this context to assess the diversity of fishes are important to understand the existing native fish stocks and exotic fish population ratio at the pond level.