Freshwater Fish Diversity in Sungai Kelantan

An extensive survey on ichthyofauna was carried out at five tributaries of Sungai Kelantan in 2009 to determine whether turbidity has influence on the diversity of fishes. Fishes were collected using various fishing gears and secchi disc was used to measure water transparency or light-penetration level. Species Richness and Simpson index of diversity were used in the analysis to compare the species diversity. A total of 779 fishes were collected comprising 36 species belonging to nine orders (Beloniformes, Channiformes, Cypriniformes, Mastacembelliformes, Osteoglossiformes, Perciformes, Sygnathiformes, Symbranchiformes, and Siluriformes) and twelve families. The ichthyofauna were dominated by the cyprinids (19 species) and detrivores. The result shows that Sungai Pergau, upper part of the Sungai Kelantan system, having the least turbid water, were identified as having the most diverse fish community compared to the lower part of the Sungai Kelantan system. This study can be regarded as a significant contribution to the understanding of ichthyofauna of the Kelantan river.