Based on the present investigation and reviewing the published and unpublished documents critically, this communication considers the post impoundment changes in the fish fauna of Kaptai reservoir. Investigation reveals that a total of 73 species of fish belongs to 47 genera, 25 families and 2 species of prawn are present in the reservoir. Of them, 31 are commercially important, 6  and 9 species are newly identified

Ahmed, K.K.

Alamgir, M.

Haque, M.E.

Mamun, M.A.

Aquatic Commons

Bangladesh]. Fish. Res.~ 7(1), 2003: 61-68 
Post impoundment changes in the fish fauna of Kaptai 
reservoir, Bangladesh 
K.K. Ahmed*, M.A. Mamun, M.E. Haque and M. Alamgir 
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Riverine Sub-station, Rangamati 4500, Bangladesh 
*Corresponding author 
Abstract 
Based on the present investigation and reviewing the published and unpublished 
documents critically, this communication considers .the post impoundment changes in 
the fish fauna of Kaptai reservoir. Investigation reveals that a total of 73 species of fish 
belongs to 47 genera, 25 families and 2 species of prawn are present in the reservoir. Of 
them, 31 are commercially important, 6 exotic and 9 species are newly identified. 
Key words: Fish fauna, Post impoundment change, Kaptai reservoir 
Introduction 
Kaptai reservoir is one of the largest man-made freshwater lake in the world 
(BLP/IDRC 1980), and the largest in Southeast Asia (Fernando 1980). With a surface 
area of 68800 ha at full supply level (FSL) (Ali 1985) it offers a wide possibilities for the 
development of fisheries and the enhancement of annual fish production. Before 
damming on the course of the river Karnaphuli in 1960-61, no investigation was done of 
its fish fauna. 
The fish population of Kaptai reservoir was primarily dependent on the previous 
riverine stocks that goes back to 36 years after impoundment, so, the scenario of fish 
fauna exists in this reservoir shows strong resemblance with those of the rivers, haors, 
heels system of Bangladesh. Even than, changes in the fish faunastic structure in respect 
to existence and abundance and shifting habitat have been occurred with time from 
riverine to lacustrine environment due to the formation of dam. In case of every 
reservoir created through damming where a common phenomena exist that fish those 
become captivated either it may be adapted itself to the new ecosystem or_ endangered or 
dwindled or become extinct from that environment. These phenomena have probably 
occurred to the history of Kaptai lake fish fauna. From 80s onward a number of species 
like Chinese carps, Thai punti has introduced. African magur, a carnivorous as well as 
highly competitive fish has accidentally introduced in the reservoir recently from the 
culture ponds as those oftilap:fa escaped from culture cages during 1985. This tilapia like 
the Chinese carps already adapted them in the reservoir water and contributes 
subsequently to the total landing. The African magur which recently escaped from the 
K.K. Ahmed et al. 
culture pond are found in the fisher's catch which may be harmful for many indigenous 
species due to its carnivorous habit. 
On the other hand, some species captivated during the closing of the river 
Karnafuli, have been adapted themselves successfully to the new ecosystem and now-a-
days, contributing substantially to the total landings. Some of the fish might have 
inhabited within the reservoir but not found frequently to the fisher's catches or in the 
harbors. As a result, a great controversy arisen regarding few rarely found species 
according to several author's whether they exists till today or not. The investigation is, 
therefore, undertaken considering the post impoundment changes in the fish fauna of 
Kaptai reservoir chronologically. 
Materials and p1ethods 
The present investigation was made over a period of two years from 1995 to 1997. 
The fish enlisted here were collected mostly from the fisher's catch at major fishing sites 
(Kattoli, Burighat, Suvalong and Bilaichhori) in the reservoir. A number of specimens 
were collected from Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) pontoon at 
Rangamati, the main fish landing center where fish were brought out every far off 
fishing grounds by carrier boats. Local retail markets were also accounted and a few of 
the listed specimens were collected from the laboratory of Bangladesh Fisheries 
Research Institute, Riverine Sub-station, Rangamati. Species enlisted here are preserved 
in the laboratory of Riverine Sub-station. Identification of fish was done following Day 
(1958), Talwar and Jhingran (1991), Rahman (1989) and Jayaram (1981). 
Results and discussion 
In this investigation a total of73 species offish belongs- to 47 genera, 25 families and 
2 species of prawns were recorded, of them, 31 are commercially important, 6 exotic and 
9 species are newly identified. Most of the species collected are as illustrated in the 
Table-1 with their present status within the community. Chookder (1966) in an 
unpublished report mentioned 54 species of fish inhabiting the reservoir area and added 
that, before construction of the dam the Karnafuli estuary and its upstream was rich in 
fish fauna. Sandercock (1966) studied first the fish fauna of Kaptai reservoir and enlisted 
27 commercially important species. Ahmed and Hasan (1981) prepared a check list of 27 
species of fish but they could not able to include very common, abundant and 
commercially important species inhabiting in the reservoir those even recorded in the 
daily landing register. While reporting on behalf of the committee for the evaluation of 
the fisheries management of Kaptai reservoir, Baily (1982) mentioned that the reservoir 
harbors 58 species of fish without providing any list. As the same way, Hye (1983) also 
mentioned 58 species belonging to 25 families of which 28 commercially important but 
failed to include a complete list of the same. ARG (1986) in their final report gave list 
comprising 49 indigenous and 5 exotic species, mentioning 31 commercially important. 
62 
Kaptai reservoir, Bangladesh 
Hafizuddin et al (1989) enlisted 58 species including 5 exotic ones and considered again 
the same number of commercially important species. Likewise, Halder et al. (1989) 
encounted 66 indigenous and 5 exotic species belonging to 49 genera, 26 families and 10 
orders. 
Sandercock (1966), in his pioneer work in the history of Kaptai reservoir fisheries 
mentioned Silonia silondia~ Bagarius bagarius and Clupisoma gama as commercial 
species and he predicted the future potential of these species in the commercial catches 
would be hampered as these fish were inhabited in some particular areas of the reservoir 
and added that among them S. silondia was found as rare species during that period. 
None of the above species was found by the present investigators or by the antecedents 
(Ahmed and Hasan 1981, ARG 1986, Alamgir et a11990). 
Table 1. Checklist of the fish fauna of Kaptai reservoir 
Family/Genus/Species Vernacular name Present status 
I. SYMBRANCHIDAE 
G- Monopterus McClelland Kuichcha/Kuchey c Monopterus cuchia 
2. F- TETRAODONIDAE 
G- Tetraodon Linneus 
Tetraodon cutcutia Potka/Tepa R 
3. F-BELONIDAE 
G- XenontodonRegan 
Xenontodon candia Kaikley/Kakila vc 
4. F- HEMIRHAMPHIDAE 
G-DermogenysVan Hasselt 
Dermogenis pussilus Ek thuta vc 
5. F- CYPRINODONTIDAE 
G- Aploche11us McClelland 
Aplocheilus punchax Tinchoka/Tekucha c 
6. F- CHANNIDAE 
G- Channa Scopoli 
Channa striatus Shoil c 
Channa punratus Cheng/Taki vc 
Channa marulius Gozar vc 
Channa orientalis Okol/Raga FC 
7. F- CYPRINIDAE 
G- Salmostoma Swainson 
Salmostoma phulo Chela vc 
Salmostoma bacaila Chela vc 
G- Esomus Swainson 
Esomus danricus Darkina/ Jhia FC 
G- Amblypharyngodon Bleeker 
Amblypharyngodon mola Mola/Moia c 
G- Rohree Sykes 
H- Rohtee cotio Dhela c 
63 
K.K. Ahmed et al. 
G- Labeo Cuvier Kalbaush/Kali 
Labeo calbasu Ghoinna vc 
Labeorohita Rui c 
Labeogonius Sada Ghoinna/Ghonia c 
Labeo bata Bata FC 
Labeoangra Bhanga Bata R 
G- Cirrhinus (Oken)Cuvier 
Cirrhinus mrigala Mrigala/Mirgi/Mirka c 
Chirrhinus reba Lasu/Bata/Raikh c 
G- Puntius Hamilton 
Puntius sophore Punti c 
Puntius ticto Tit Punti vc 
G- Aspidoparia Heckel 
Aspidoparia jaya Pi ali R 
Aspidoparia morar Pi ali R 
8. F- COBITIDAE 
G- Lepidocephalus Bleeker 
Lepidocephalus guntea Gutum/Gotey FC 
9. F- CLARIIDAE 
G- Clanas Scopoli 
Clarias batrachus Magur vc 
10. F- SILURIDAE 
G- Wallago Bleaker 
Wallago attu Boal c 
G- Ompok Laceped 
Ompok bimaculatus Pabda c 
11. F- HETEROPNEUSTIDAE 
G- Heteropneustes Muller 
Heteropneustes fossilis Shinghi/Jhial t 
12. F- SCHILBEIDAE 
G- Ailia Gray 
Ail1a coiiJa Baspata/Kaj ori c 
G- Pseudeutropius Bleeker 
Pseudeutropius atherinoides Batashi FC 
G- Eutropiich tys BUeker 
Eutrophichthys vacha Bacha vc 
13. F- BAGRIDAE 
G- M ystus Scopoli 
Mystusaor Ayre vc 
M ystus cavasius Gulsha vc 
Mystus bleekeri Tengra FC 
Mystus vittatus Tengra FC 
14. F- SISORIDAE 
G- Gagata Bleeker 
Gagata youssoufi Gagtengra FC 
15. F- NOTOPTERIDAE 
G- Notopterus Lacepede 
Notopterus chitala Chi tal vc 
64 
Kaptai reservoir, Bangladesh 
Notopterus notopterus Foli /Foloi c 
16. F- ENGRULIDAE 
G- Setipinna Swainson 
Setipinna phasa Phaissha vc 
17. F- CLUPEIDAE 
G- Gudusia Fowler 
Gudusia chapra Chapila vc 
G- Corica Hamilton Katchki/Soborn 
Corica soborna Khorika vc 
G- Gonialosa Regan 
Gonialosa manminna Bori chapila/chapila vc 
18.: F- MASTACEMBALIDAE 
G- Macrognathus Lacepede 
Macrognathus aculeatus Tara baim/Tota FC 
G- Mastacembelus(Gronovius) 
Scopoli 
Mastacembelus armatus Baim/Bara Bairn FC 
Mastacembelus pancalus Pakal/Guchi FC 
19. F- MUGILIDAE 
G- Rhinomugz1Gill 
Rhinomugil corsula Khorsula vc 
20. F- ANABANTIDAE 
G- Colisa Cuvier Lal Kholisha 
Colisa lalius PataKholisha/Bara VC 
Colisa fasciatus Kholisha VC 
G- Anabas Cuvier & Cloquest 
Anabas testudineus Koi FC 
21. F- GOBIIDAE 
G- Glossogobius Gill 
Glossogobius guiris Bele/Baila VC 
22. F- NANDIDAE 
G- Nand us Cuvier 
Nandus nandus Bheda/Meni R 
23. F- PRISTOLEPIDAE 
G- Badis Bleeker 
Badis badis Napit Koi c 
24. F- SCIAENIDAE 
G- fohnius Bloch 
]ohnius coitor Poa c 
25. F- CENTROPOMIDAE 
G- Chanda Hamilton 
Chanda ranga Chanda FC 
Chanda nama Chanda vc 
New identification 
F- CYPRINIDAE 
G- Dania Hamilton 
65 
K.K. Ahmed et al. 
Dania ~ondhii 
G- Crossocheilus Van Hasselt 
Crossocheilus Jatius 
G- Pun d us Hamilton 
Pundus jelus 
Puntius chola 
Puntius conchonius 
F- CENTROPOMIDAE 
G- Chanda Hamilton 
Chanda baculis 
Chandalala 
F- COBITIDAE 
G- Nemachilus Van Hasselt 
Nemachilus zonanternas 
F- BAGRIDAE 
G- Batasio Blyth 
Batasio tengana 
Species introduced 
F- CYPRINIDAE 
G- Cyprinus Hamilton 
Bara darkina 
Bara darkina 
Tit puti 
Puti 
Kanchon puti 
Chanda 
Chanda 
Gutum 
Tengra 
Cyprinus carpio Carpu 
G- Puntius Hamilton 
Puntius gonionotus Thai punti 
G- Hypophthalmicthys Bleeker 
Hypophthalmicthys molitrix Silver carp 
G- Ctenopharyngodon Steindachner 
Ctenopharyngodon idella Grass carp 
F- CICHLIDAE 
G- Oreochromis Smith 
Oreochromis nilotica 
F- CLARIIDAE 
G- Clarias Scopoli 
Clarias gariepinus 
Prawns 
F- PALAEMONDAE 
G- Macrobrachium de Man 
Macrobrachium rosenbergii 
Macrobra_-chium lamarri 
Til apia 
African magur 
Golda Chingri 
Kucha Chingri 
VC: Very common; C: Common; FC: Fairly common; R: Rare 
FC 
c 
c 
c 
c 
vc 
FC 
FC 
R 
c 
FC 
FC 
FC 
c 
FC 
FC 
VC 
After Sandercock (1966) nobody except Halder et al. (1989) mentioned the B. 
bagarius and there remains strong possibility of erroneous identification of this species 
66 
Kaptai reservoir, Bangladesh 
because, in ourinvestigation no single specimen was found. There might have been great 
possibility of existence of this species before and after the construction of the dam and 
disappeared afterwards. 
A check list made by Ahmed and Hasan (1981) for Kaptai reservoir fisheries is 
questionable where they could not include four very common abundant and 
commercially important species (Notoptems chitala~ Mystus aoz; -Channa striatus and 
Setipinna phasa) during their study and also interesting to note that they also failed to 
cite the pioneer work of Sandercock (1966). Moreover, two enlisted species, viz. 
Ailiichthys punctatus and Mystus seenghala are again a matter of question because 
Sandercock (1966), ARG (1986), Alamgir et al (1990) did not mention about A. 
punctatus in their checklist and only Alamgir et al (1990) collected a few specimen for 
M. seenghala. ARG (1986) corrected the name of A. punctatus as Ailia coilia and 
mentioned that such erroneous identification might have been occurred due to similar 
morphology between the two species. Though Halder et al (1989) reported Ailia coilia 
and M. seenghala in their checklist but they did not mention the name of A. punclatus. 
In the present investigation none of the two species (A. punclatus and M. seenghala) 
have been found so far. This A. coilia is available in the landing during the period of 
peak water level (November to January). 
Hye (1983) and ARG (1986) mentioned the name of Mystus guleo and M. tengra 
respectively but Haffizuddin et al. (1989) and Halder et al (1989) did not include both 
of these fish and in this investigation same result is found. The existence of Ompok 
bimaculatus is also controversial according to the works of Sandercock (1966), Ahmed 
and Hasan (1981), ARG (1986) and Alamgir et al. (1990). Because the workers except 
Sandercock ( 1966) mentioned 0. bimaculatus as Ompok pabda but in our investigation 
it was found that 0. bimaculatus is very common in fishers' catch not Ompok pabda. 
Similar opinion was made by Halder et al (1989) in their checklist for the same 
reservoir. 
Rita rita~ described by Halder et al (1989) and Alamgir et al (1990) and Puntius 
sarana (Ahmed and Hasan 1981, ARG 1986 and Alamgir et a11990) was not found in the 
present investigation. Halder (1989) reported that Puntius saranawas caught in the large 
numbers at the inception of the reservoir. The species become disappeared from the 
reservoir and on the other hand, Puntius gonionotus, an exotic species introduced here 
escaping from the research cages accidentally and with the stocked fingerlings, and 
going to be established within this environment and being found in the normal catch. 
At the inception of the reservoir Tor tor was found to catch in riffle areas of 
Karnafuli reservoir at Barkal and of the Kassalong river at Gangaram ( Sandercock 1966) 
but at present, this species found rare in the landings. Meanwhile, the evidence of 
observing fry and fingerlings of the same through fisher's catch at Barkal immediately 
after breeding season is claimed by BFRI scientists. This species may be treated as 
endangered and immediate steps should be taken for the conservation of this highly 
priced fish by artificial propagation and banning the catch in the reservoir. 
Considering the geographical distribution, the Danio sondhii and the Dermogenys 
pussilus covers the Kaptai reservoir and south-eastern part of Bangladesh (Talwar and 
67 
K.K. Ahmed et al. 
Jhingran 1991, Rahman 1989), the Kaptai reservoir may be regarded as possible habitat 
for those rarely found species although they are not still recorded from any other inland 
waters. From the inception of landing (1965-66) to 1984-85 the contribution of tota1 
landing was made by major carps (21%) which have been replaced recently by Clupeids 
(Kechki+Chapila, 64%). However, adopting proper management techniques and 
following the conservation measures strictly, can make this reservoir a prominent source 
for diversified ichthyobiota. Nevertheless, the list of these fish fauna is not exhaustive 
and it may be believed that there are more species yet to be accounted and identified and 
those species may be harbored in the remote areas and parts rest in India. 
References 
Ahmed, B. and S. Hasan, 1981. A check list of the fishes of the Karnafuli reservoir. Bangladesh J 
Zool, 9(1: 37-40. 
Alamgir, M., S.H. Chowdhuary and A.S. Ahmed, 1990. New records of the ichthyofauna of Lake 
Kaptai. Chitragong University Studies, Part II: Science, 14(2). 
Ali, L. (ed.), 1985. Proceeding of the National Seminar on Fisheries Development in Bangladesh, 
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Aquatic Research Group (ARG), University of Chitagong, Bangladesh. 1986. Hydrobiology of 
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Hy.e, M.A., 1983. Fishery potentials ofKaptai Lake. ADAB News, 10: 2-6. 
Jayaram, K. C., 1981. The Freshwater Fishes of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma and Sri 
· Lanka. Zool. Survey ofindia, CalCutta; XXII+ 475pp. 
Rahman, A.K.A., 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Bangladesh. Zoological Soc. of Bangladesh, 364 pp. 
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Canadian Colombo Plan Project F-475). East Pakistan Agricultural Developmen~ 
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(Manuscript received 31 August 2002) 
68 


Post impoundment changes in the fish fauna of Kaptai

reservoir, Bangladesh

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Post impoundment changes in the fish fauna of Kaptai reservoir, Bangladesh

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