Fish Diversity of Balasore District, Odisha

A systematic checklist of freshwater fishes of Balasore district of Odisha, India was provided. A total number of 66 species of fishes under 47 genera, 25 families and 8 orders has been recorded. Highest species diversity was observed in the Cyprinidae (42.4%), followed by Siluridae (22.7%). The fish fauna includes 2 vulnerable (VU), 2 near threatened (NT), 46 least concern (LC), 3 data deficient (DD) and 13 not assessed (NA) species as per IUCN. The present fish fauna is a composite of primary freshwater fishes, estuarine fishes and widely distributed forms. The present finding shows that Balasore district is blessed with diverse fish fauna including numerous economically important food fishes. The water quality of the rivers and streams of the district are not contaminated as the value of pH and DO are within the tolerance limit of class 'D' water prescribed for fish culture and wild life propagation.