International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research

Authors
Tapan Sarkar

Abstract
Small indigenous fish species (SIS) are very important ecologically and economically. SIS are important source of protein, micro-nutrients, vitamins and minerals. A survey was done on the river Teesta, Jaldhaka and Torsa from March 2014 to February 2016.For each river two site were selected. Sampling was done on the monthly interval. A total of 85 SIS belonged to 6 order and 18 family were recorded from the three river. Cyprinidae was the most dominant family with 33 species followed by Balitoridae (8 species), sisoridae, Cobitidae and Sisoridae (7 species each), Bagridae (6 species), Osphronemidae, Centropomidae and Nandidae (3 species each), Amblyopsidae, Mastacembelidae, Channidae, Olyrida and Psilorhynchus (2 species) and Aplocheilus, Anabantidae, Clupeidae, Clariidae and Schilbeidae (1 species each). Seventy seven SIS were recorded from the river Teesta and Jaldhaka and 67 SIS from the river Torsa. Small indigenous fish species (SIS) were dominant in monsoon season. Number of SIS declined due to over and illegal fishing, habitat destruction, pollution etc.