Assessing ichthyofaunal assemblage structure and diversity of fragile Gomti river ecosystem, Uttar Pradesh, for sustainable conservation and management

Due to human interference, freshwater ecosystems are among the most threatened habitats on the planet. Gomti River is a major tributary of the Ganga River System (GRS). Assessment and exploration of the river were conducted from January to December 2023. In the present study, 76 fish species (70 native and 6 exotic) belonging to 56 genera, 32 families, and 12 orders were recorded from this river. Among these, 64 species belonged to the Least Concern (LC), three species to vulnerable (VU), and six to Near Threatened (NT). However, Hypophthalmichthys noblis and Clarius magur fall under the Data Deficient (DD) and Endangered (EN) category respectively on the IUCN Red List, 2023. The first time, we listed three fish species (Tariqilabeo latius, Pseudambassis lala, and Aplocheilus panchax) from this habitat. River Gomti and their ichthyofauna are experiencing tremendous manmade stress such as aquatic pollution, overfishing, illegal fishing activities, exotic invasion, climate change, and infestation of invasive aquatic weeds. Furthermore, the irrational fishing of juveniles and brooders, employing a sophisticated armory of fishing tactics, has threatened native fish populations. Proper implementation of fisheries acts and regulations, use of authorized fishing gear, community-based fisheries management, aquatic sanctuary development, river ranching, and raising public awareness could play a vital role in conserving the fish diversity of this river. This result is expected to contribute skeletal information for future studies in this riverine ecosystem.