A REVISION TO THE FRESHWATER FISH DIVERSITY OF PASCHIM MEDINIPUR AND JHARGRAM DISTRICT OF WEST BENGAL, INDIA

In the present contribution, an attempt has been made to provide a systematic classification of freshwater fishes of Paschim Medinipur and Jhargram Districts of West Bengal along with their human use and conservation status, as far as possible. Revision recognized 113 species of freshwater fishes (101 primary freshwater species, 12 secondary freshwater species), belonging to 12 orders, 32 families and 73 genera. Fourteen species of exotic fishes have been introduced to freshwater bodies of the Paschim Medinipur and Jhargram District. The top order with diverse species composition was Cypriniformes (45 species, 28 genera and 2 families). The most diverse family was Cyprinidae with 40 species and 25 genera. Freshwater fishes of Paschim Medinipur and Jhargram Districts revealed existence of 5 ornamental fishes, 63 food fishes and 46 were ornamental as well as food fishes. Out of the 113 freshwater fish species, 10.60% are under vulnerable or near threatened categories. Updated checklist will lead to a better understanding of the fish diversity of this area for conservation.