Certain limno-chemical characteristics and commercial fish catch in monoha beel ecosystem, Morigaon, India

A detailed study of the limno-chemical characteristics of Monoha beel was conducted at four study sites at four seasons viz – Premonsoon, Monsoon, Retreating monsoon and winter of 2011 and 2012. A direct relationship of air temperature with water temperature, depth, transparency and dissolved oxygen and pH with chloride, carbonate and free carbon dioxide were recorded during the study period. The beel water found slightly alkaline throughout the study period. A total of 47 phytoplankton genera belong to 14 genera of Chlorophyceae, 11 genera of Cyanophyceae, 19 genera of desmids, 2 genera of Euglenophyceae and 1 genera of Dinophyceae were recorded. A total of 27 genera of zooplankton were recorded of which 13 genera belong to Rotifera, 6 genera belong to Copepoda, 5 genera belong to Cladocera and 3 genera belong to Protozoa. 54 species of fishes belong to 19 families were recorded of which Cypriniformes were the dominant group. Total fish catch during 2011 was 11114 kg and during 2012 was 26239kg. The average annual fish catch from Monoha beel has been estimated 152.3 kg/ha/yr (Total 11114 kg) in 2011 and 359.5 kg/ha/yr (total 26239 kg) in 2012. The result of group catch shows that the composition of Indian Major carp ranged between 10.1% and 16.43%, Minor carp 27.37% and 62.22%, Cat fish 7.99% and 29.19%, Feather back 2.51 and 3.06%, Exotic carp 1.82% and Miscellaneous group 13.72 and 31.11%. On the basis of present findings it can be concluded that Monoha beel eco- system is suitable for fish culture.