Assessing fish diversity and occurrence in the rivers of the Amravati district including Melghat, Maharashtra, India: An ecological approach

Fish assemblages are one of the four biological indicators used to analyze aquatic ecosystems and are a crucial component of ecosystems. The present study was carried out from the major rivers and their tributaries in Amravati district including Melghat landscape in Maharashtra. Fishes were collected with the help of locals and fishermen by following a maximum random methodology. Photographic evidence of fishes and ecological parameters concerning habitat was recorded onsite and the specificity of fishes occurrence was studied. 33 species of fishes belonging to 16 different families were recorded of which cyprinidae is the most abundant and 16 species were newly reported from the study sites. The obtained data revealed that the Wardha river showed more specificity followed by the Tapi river and others. A keen observation of species specificity reveals their preference for the particular rivers due to supporting ecological elements present there. The study shows a statistical significance for both fish documented and ecological parameters studied respectively. In a world where aquatic biodiversity is declining, this study may add to our understanding of the diversity and specificity of freshwater fishes in Maharashtra and provides important insights for conservation and management strategies.