The Diversity of Freshwater Fish at Three Selected Lakes in Jengka, Pahang

Abstract

Freshwater fishes in Malaysia are relatively diverse with species of primary freshwater fishes. The total species richness of freshwater fishes of Malaysia remains unknown, this is due to many inland water bodies that have not been sampled. This study was conducted to ascertain the abundance of the freshwater fish at selected lakes in Maran, Pahang. The aim of this study to determine freshwater fish diversity and the relationship with water characteristics. All captured fish were measured, weighed and identified. Sample of water were collected from each lake. Water was analysed for pH, temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen and biological oxygen demand. A total of 107 individuals of fish compromising 8 species and 7 families were recorded. Trichopodus trichopterus was the most abundant species with total of 44 individuals which belonging to Order Anabantiformes and the least species with total of one individual captured which belonging to Order Cypriniformes, which is Puntigrus partipentazona. The highest diversity of fish was recorded at Lake 3 with Shannon Wiener Diversity Index H’= 1.428 and the lowest was at Lake 1 with H’= 0.968. The highest evenness index of fish species was detected at Lake 3 with Pielou’s Evenness J’= 0.797 and the lowest was at Lake 1 with J’= 0.698. Meanwhile, the most diverse species was found at Lake 3. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) ordination diagram of fish communities and selected water properties showed that Notopterus notopterus, Pristolepis fasciata and Puntigrus partipentazona were associated with the environment variables such as total dissolved solids (TDS) and turbidity while Oreochromis mossambicus and Oxyeleotris marmorata were not associated with any of the variables.and water salinity.