Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part A (2020)

Our research focuses on the biodiversity of fishes in the Gandiali Dam in the district of Kohat. With the assistance of local fishermen, all 20 fish specimens were taken from Gandiali Dam in the district of Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. From February to August 2022, he used various nets, including hand nets, cast nets, and hooks. Small live fishes (up to 15 centimetres) have been transferred directly to formalin and died at the scene (mix of 1 part formalin and 9x water or 10 milliliter formalin and 90 milliliter water), while big live fishes have been transferred to the solution that died instantly (mix of 1 part formalin and 9x water or 10 milliliter formalin and 90 milliliter water), After a few minutes, the deaths happened in this solution, and at the time of death, all of the fins expanded, allowing the number of fin rays, etc., to be counted, making verification of many species simple. A thin incision is made on the abdomen to preserve large specimens (15 to about 30 cm or above), and concentrated formalin was infused at many body regions along the abdominal region. Thus every fish sample was then identified to the species level. The species were identified based on their primary colours, particular spots or signs on the body surface, body shape, structure of various fins, and so on. A total of 7 species were reported during the sampling period, which belonged to two orders (Cypriniformes and Channiformes), two families (Cyprinidae and Channidae) and seven genuera. Family Cyprinidae is the most richest family having 6 species (19 samples) viz Cyprinus carpio, Labeo rohita, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Hypophathalmichthys molitrix, Carassius auratus and Puntius ticto. Family Channidae was represented by Channa punctatus (1 sample). During the sampling period, most abundant specie reported was Cyprinus carpio (08 samples) followed by Labeo rohita. The present study concludes with a note that the water bodies of Gandiali dam District Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are home to rich and diverse fauna of cyprinids, and cyprinids have successfully adapted themselves to the haline water of the area. Further studies are required to evaluate the mechanism which enables those freshwater fishes survive and thrive in such extreme haline environment.