Ichthyofaunal Diversity of Baran Dam District Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: One Health Perspective Analysis

Fish are cold-blooded vertebrates adapted to life in water. They breathe through gills and have a pair of fin-like appendages if present. Fish are among the most successful biodiversity of vertebrates in that they can exist in almost every type of aquatic habitat, including glacial water and new springs, as well as it may also endure an extremely wide range of salinity. The objective of the current research was to determine the ichthyofaunal richness and the place that fishes play in the Baran Dam, Bannu ecosystem, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The research work was conducted from a public health perspective from May 2023 to May 2024. In this study, 10 species were reported, namely Notopterus notopterus, Oreochromis mossabicus, Mystus bleekeri, Mystus seenghala, Ompok pabda, Ompok bimaculatus, Cirrhinus mrigala, Cyprinus carpio, Pampus argentus, and Channa punctatus. Famiy notopteridae was represented by Notopterus notopterus, and family cichlidae was represented by Oreochromis mossabicus. Mystus bleekeri, Mystus seenghala, Ompok pabda, and Ompok bimaculatus were represented by the family Siluridae; Cirrhinus mrigala and Cyprinus carpio were represented by the family Cyprinidae. Family Bramidae and family Channidae were represented each by a single species, Pampus argentus and Channa punctatus, respectively. The present study reveals that the environmental conditions of Baran Dam, Bannu, are favorable for fish survival and growth. Hence, it helps in producing healthy fish, and they are not injurious to human health. The results of this research have important implications for important conservation efforts as well as nutrient-rich food for the people of the area of Baran Dam, Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.