Fish Diversity in Jambadahalla Lake of Chikmagalur District, Karnataka

The present study deals with the diversity of fish fauna in manmade Jambadahalla lake of Chikmagalur district in Karnataka. Fish community in this lake was studied every month during January to June 2009. Fishes were collected with the help of fishermen using gill nets. A total of 26 fish species belonging to 11 families were recorded of which cyprinidae was dominated by 14 species followed by Bagridae and Channidae with 02 species and species each of Siluridae, Mastacembalidae, Ambassidae, Cichlidae, Claridae, Notopteridae, Gobidae and Heteropneustidae. Among fish orders, Cypriniformes was dominant with 14 species (53.84%), followed by Siluriformes and Perciformes with 05 species (19.23%) and Osteoglossiformes and Cyprinodontiformes with one species each respectively (3.85%). Regarding biodiversity status (IUCN, 1994), out of 26 species, 12 species as lower risk-near threatened (46.15 %), not assessed 05 species (19.23 %) vulnerable 07 species (26.92%), lower risk least concern is one (3.85 %) and remaining one (3.85 % %) is included under the category of endangered. The diversity of fish fauna in this lake is attributed to the introduction of exotic species and water quality.