Zafar Iqbal, Khalid Pervaiz and Muhammad Naeem Javed
Keywords: Attock region, fish fauna, Tor macrolepis, decline population, economic status.
Abstract: A survey was conducted in Attock region, Pakistan to study the population dynamics of Tor macrolepis and other fish species. Tor macrolepis specimens were 133 of the total 2839 fishes collected. Tor macrolepis varied in total length and lateral line scales from 5.0 to 45.0cm and 24 to 28 respectively. Out of 60 fish species identified, 38 species comprised < 1% individually. Seventeen species were from 1.0 to 5.0%; 4 species such as; Devario devario, Puntius conchonius, Puntius sophore and Cyprinus carpio were 5-10% and one species Crossocheilus diplochilus comprised 16.06%. Tor and Glyptothorix are endemic genera to this area. There were 22 commercially important species. The population of 10 highly commercial indigenous fishes was very low and has fallen drastically. These species are, Labeo rohita (0.38%), Cirhhinus mrigala (0.52%), Gibelion catla (0.06%), Mystus bleekeri (2.57%); Rita rita (0.03%), Sperrata sarwari (0.24%), Wallago attu (0.10%), Clupisoma naziri (2.04%); Channa marulius (0.24%), and T. macrolepis (4.68%). The decline in population of commercial fishes is attributed to indiscriminate overfishing, habitat degradation, aquatic pollution and abundance of competitive exotic species. The IUCN status of fish fauna of Attock is also discussed. Effective conservation measures are suggested to sustain Tor macrolepis and the fish fauna in Attock region.
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