Current fish fauna in Mandulog River, Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte, Philippines

This paper provides the current fish species richness, composition, distribution, and conservation status in the Mandulog River, Iligan City, Philippines, highlighting its ecological significance and the impact of anthropogenic activities. A total of Fourteen species from 13 families were recorded, consisting of- 12 native and two introduced species from three sampling sites (upstream, midstream, and downstream). Native species dominated the fish assemblage, with Fibramia thermalis (44.22%) and Planiliza subviridis (18.03%) being the most abundant. This study confirmed the first record of Barbodes tumba, a threatened endemic species confined to upstream areas, reflecting their vulnerability to habitat disturbance. Conservation assessments of the 12 native revealed that ten species (85.7%) are classified as “Least Concern”, one as “Endangered” and another one species as “Data Deficient”. This study also documented two invasive alien species, Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias batrachus. The recent findings underscore significant threats to the Mandulog River’s biodiversity, including pollution, quarry mining, sedimentation, and invasive alien species. Recommendations emphasize conservation strategies targeting habitat restoration, invasive alien species management, and community-driven biodiversity monitoring to sustain the river’s ecological health and align with global conservation goals. published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES)