First Record of Ichthyofaunal Diversity in Champanala, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India

Fishes are one of the important group of vertebrates influencing the human lives in various ways. Fish diversity is one of the most important life supporting system on the earth and plays a very important role in the socio-economic development of the country. The present study was conducted in Champanala, a channel of river Ganga in district Bhagalpur, Bihar to study and explore the present Ichthyofaunal diversity, habitat condition and possible threats. The study was conducted between January 2024 to April 2025. Altogether, 53 species of fishes belong to 20 families and 10 orders were recorded in this channel. Out of which 16 species of fishes belonging to Cyprinidae, 4 belonging to Bagridae and Schilbedae, 3 species in each Siluridae, Clupeidae, Masteacembelidae, Ophiocephalidae and Anabantidae, 2 Species in Gobiidae and Centropomidae respectively, only 1 species was found belonging to the family Panagasiidae, Claridae, Heteropneustidae, Nandidae, Sciaenidae, Dasyatidae, Mugilidae, Symbranchidae, Belonidae and Tetraodontidae respectively.The present status of Champanala is running under very pitiable condition and facing many threats like habitat fragmentation (during dry season), eutrophication and heavy aquatic pollution. As per local information some species like Patasi/Tinkatia, Bami, Singhi and Kawai are found in less number once found in abundance, may be due to severe pollution or adverse aquatic ecosystem. Hence a thorough study and monitoring is required to know the health status of this wetland -Champanala.