© 2018 IJRAR August 2018, Volume 5, Issue 3 www.ijrar.

org (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138)

Fish Diversity and Physico-chemical Parameters of

Hillem River, Arunachal Pradesh, India
1
Renu Loyi, 2Geyir Bam, 3D.N. Das
1
PhD Research Scholar, 2M.Sc Student, 3Professor
1
Department of Zoology
1
Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono-hills, Doimukh, Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract : A case study was undertaken from March 2017 to February 2018 recently in the river Hillem of Basar, Lower Siang
district, Arunachal Pradesh. The sampling of fish was done from three sites of the river time to time using fishing devices and
techniques practiced by Galo tribes. A total of 33 species of fishes belonging to 12 families were taxonomically confirmed with
19 species under Cyprinidae followed by 3 species within Balitoridae, 2 species within Amblycipitidae and 1 species each within
Mesonoemacheilus, Clariidae, Sisoridae, Olyridae, Siluridae, Badidae, Channidae, Anguillidae and Mastacembelidae. The
physico-chemical parameters of the river water remained at permissible limit of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), thus free from
pollution and congenial for aquatic life. The sampling of fishes were restricted only in three sites for the study period because of
social ban on fishing by the natives aiming restoration of the ichthyofaunal abundance declined due to various anthropogenic
factors.

IndexTerms - Fish, Ichthyodiversity, Hillem, Basar, Arunachal Pradesh.

I. INTRODUCTION
Arunachal Pradesh is situated in the Eastern Himalayan province, the richest bio-geographical province of the Himalayan zone
making it a part of Indo Burma biodiversity hot spot regions of the world (Myers et al., 2000). It lies between the 26°28ʹ to
29°30ʹN and 90°30ʹ to 97°30ʹE, with an area of 83,743 km 2. Major part of the state is comprised of hill ranges of varying
elevation and is transverse by rivers and stream, which provide diverse habitat conditions giving home to different kind of fish
species. The river system of Arunachal Pradesh is known to be enriched with 213 species of fishes (Bagra et al., 2009).
The scientific study on the fresh water fishes of Indian subcontinent was started only in the early 19thcentury. Hamilton
(1822) described a total of about 1400 species from the river Ganga and its tributaries for the first time. Jerdon (1849) explored
and described the available freshwater fishes of southern India. It was followed by McClelland (1877) with a detail account of
Indian cyprinids. Later in 20th century remarkable work was carried out on fishes of the north India by Chaudhuri (1912). In
1913, Chaudhuri mentioned several fish species from the Abor hills presently East Siang district under the state of Arunachal
Pradesh. Many other workers have studied fishery resources of the state. Sen (1999) reported 52 species from Siang and Subansiri
districts; Nath and Dey (2000) recorded 131 species with their systemic account; Sen (2006) recorded 143 fish species from
Arunachal Pradesh; Tamang et al. (2007) reported 47 species from Senkhi stream of Papumpare district; Bagra et al. (2009) listed
a total of 213 fish species from 35 rivers of Arunachal Pradesh; Bagra and Das (2010) reported 44 fish species from river Siyom
of the state. However, there has been no such study on fish diversity of Hillem river previously.

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Study Area

Basar is a small town of Arunachal Pradesh, geographically located on the edge of great Himalayan mountain range is a
scenic landscape with rich evergreen forest, mountain, chilling perennial rivers and rivulets, water fall and mesmerizing paddy
fields. The exact geographical location of Basar township is at 27°58ʹN and 94°41ʹE (Fig.1). It has a mean elevation of 579 meters
(1899 feet). The major river of basar like Kidi, Hie, Ego abu and Hillem is home to innumerable aquatic species. The Hillem river
is one of the major rivers of the Sodo Doke and Bam village of Lower Siang district Arunachal Pradesh. It is one of the vital
resources for villagers inhabiting in and around the river as it provides water for agriculture and recreational activities as well as
habitat for very diverse species of Hillem is formed by the joining of two small streams, one called Lamda originated from the
Yirvi-lagtu mountain and flows across sodo doke, ragi-doke and another stream called Lamchi originated from uchi-ute (rhu)
range. These two streams, Lamchi and Lamda intersect to form Hillem, and flow across Basar and links with Kidi and Hei river of
Basar and forms Kamya hille and flows across Nyodu, Hebe, Tao, Heru, Kardo lete, Gite, Tasi-doni village and finally join
withthe Subansiri river at Tasi-doni.

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STUDY AREA

III II
I
Hillem River
Figure 1: Map and Satellite Image of Study Area

2.2 Study Period and Methodology

The study period was divided into four seasons viz., pre-monsoon (March-May), monsoon (June-August), post-monsoon
(September-November) and winter (December-February). Samplings were conducted four times from March 2017 to February
2018 from three sites, site I (27°59ʹ15ʺN and 94°40ʹ31ʺE), site II (27°59ʹ16ʺN and 94°40ʹ27ʺE), site III (27°59ʹ16ʺN and
94°40ʹ23ʺE) of the river using various traditional techniques depending on the flow and current of water during different seasons
(Fig. 2). Simultaneously, physico-chemical parameters of water viz., temperature, pH, dissolve oxygen, free carbondioxide,
alkalinity, hardness, salinity and total dissolved solids for six alternate months were analysed following APHA (1998) and
Trivedy and Goel (1986). The fish, thus collected were preserved in 10% formalin following the protocol of Jayaram (1999).
Identification and taxonomical studies were carried out with the help of standard keys of Talwar and Jhingran (1991), Jayaram
(1999), Nath and Dey (2000) and Vishwanath et al. (2007). The conservation status of collected fishes were also analysed (IUCN,
2018-1). Fishes collected are deposited in Rajiv Gandhi University Museum of Fishes, Rono Hills, Itanagar.

(a) (b) (d)

(c) (e)

Figure 2 . Some of the Indiginous Techniques Of Fishing a) and b) Hibok penam, c) Tahum Kunam and
Plants Used for Poisoning of Fish d) Millettia pachycarpa and e) Cyclosorus extensus

III. RESULTS

3.1 Water Quality

To check the quality of river water, eight physico-chemical parameters were measured. The water samples were
collected every alternate month for a year from March 2017 to February 2018 (Table 1). Collection was done in the morning fro m
6.30 am to 8.30 am in a glass stopper bottle. Followings are the results of various parameters.

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3.1.1 Temperature
During the study period, average water temperature ranged from 16.3°C (winter) to 26.3°C (monsoon). As reported by
villagers, the average water temperature has been rising with time, as it used to go as low as 9-10°C in winter. This could be
attributed to global warming as water temperature is closely related to atmospheric temperature. Water temperature is one of the
most important factors on the maturity, spawning period and development of fish (Bhatt et al., 1984).
3.1.2 pH
The pH values were ranging from 7.2 to 8.2. The average highest pH value was recorded during pre-monsoon (7.2) and
lowest during Monsoon (8.2). Higher pH value is normally associated with the high photosynthetic activity in water (Hujare,
2008). The pH value of natural water body fluctuates due to the biological activity, influx of municipal waste and other such
contaminations. It is known and observed that any alteration in water pH is accompanied by the change in other physicochemical
parameters.
3.1.3 Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
DO is one of the most important parameters of water quality. In the present study, the average lowest (5.1 mg/l) DO was
recorded during pre-monsoon and its highest (7.2 mg/l) was observed during post-monsoon. It was observed that DO value
increases with decrease in temperature. The dissolved oxygen level depends on the primary production and respiration of aquatic
organism present in the water.
3.1.4 Free Carbondioxide (CO2)
The average free carbon dioxide value ranged from 5.3 mg/l to 7.2 mg/l. The lowest which was recorded during winter
and its highest during monsoon. The variation of free CO2 occurs due to the absorption by the primary producer for
photosynthesis and also due to the activity of other living organisms.
3.1.5 Alkalinity
The average maximum value was recorded during monsoon (66.0 mg/l) and minimum value during winter (37.2 mg/l).
The main sources of natural alkalinity are rocks which contain carbonate, silicates and phosphate. Other sources are waste
discharges from vicinity.
3.1.6 Hardness
Hardness is the ability of water to cause precipitation of insoluble calcium and magnesium salts of higher fatty acids
from soap solutions (Jena et al., 2013). The average highest (82.0 mg/l) value was observed during pre-monsoon and that of the
lowest (48.2 mg/l) in post-monsoon.
3.1.7 Salinity
Salinity is a measure of the content of salts in water. Salts are highly soluble in water and can affect the well-being of
aquatic life as well as agriculture. The average maximum salinity was observed during pre-monsoon (2.7 ppt) and minimum
during post-monsoon (0.2 ppt).
3.1.8 Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Total dissolved solid is an important parameter for checking the quality of water. The total suspended solid showed the
average minimum (0.7 ppt) during post-monsoon and its maximum (1.3 ppt) during pre-monsoon.

Table 1. Average variations in physico-chemical parameters of Hillem River (three sites)

Month Temp. pH DO CO2 Alkalinity Hardness Salinity TDS (ppt)
(Marʹ17- (°C) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (ppt)
Febʹ18)
March 20.2±0.67 7.2±0.56 5.3±1.35 6.5±1.02 46.6±1.02 82.0±0.76 2.7±1.37 1.3±0.97
April 22.6±1.22 7.8±0.87 5.2±1.08 6.4±0.97 47.5±1.45 79.5±1.22 1.8±0.76 1.2±0.78
May 24.3±1.25 8.1±0.56 5.1±1.12 6.2±1.67 57.5±1.43 76.6±1.03 1.2±0.78 1.1±1.03
June 25.1±0.77 8.2±0.45 5.3±1.32 6.8±1.45 62.4±1.23 72.3±1.56 1.1±0.65 1.0±1.01
July 26.3±2.13 7.8±0.67 5.5±1.02 7.2±1.01 66.0±0.97 68.2±2.03 0.9±0.67 1.0±1.33
August 26.1±0.09 7.6±0.32 5.8±0.99 6.9±0.98 58.3±1.33 55.2±1..11 0.7±0.43 0.8±1.23
September 24.4±1.02 7.4±0.36 6.3±1.22 6.5±1.33 54.5±1.55 48.2±1.45 0.4±1.34 0.7±1.10
October 22.2±0.56 7.5±0.65 7.1±1.12 6.0±1.23 50.2±1.02 49.2±1.22 0.3±1.01 0.8±1.00
November 18.4±1.03 7.8±0.25 7.2±1.24 5.3±1.02 48.3±1.20 50.2±1.06 0.2±1.00 0.9±1.25
December 17.5±0.56 7.5±0.77 6.8±0.98 5.4±0.89 43.6±0.79 58.8±1.85 1.0±0.75 0.9±0.82
January 16.3±1.33 7.6±0.35 6.5±1.14 5.5±1.21 37.2±1.13 67.2±1.10 1.7±0.65 1.0±1.40
February 18.9±1.05 7.3±0.22 5.9±0.89 5.8±1.43 40.5±1.34 77.2±1.62 2.1±1.00 1.1±1.03

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3.2 Fish Diversity

A total of 33 species of fish belonging to the 5 orders, 12 families and 25 geneses was reported from the Hillem River
(Table 2). All the fish species recorded from the Hillem River are already documented from other drainage systems in Arunachal
Pradesh. From the present study, it is evident that river Hillem despite being a small river has a rich ichthyofaunal diversity.
Cyprinidae family was found to be most dominant with 19 species and followed by Balitoridae (3 species); Amblycipitidae (2
species); Mesonoemacheilus, Clariidae, Sisoridae, Olyridae, Siluridae, Badidae, Channidae, Anguillidae and Mastacembelidae
with 1 species each. As far as the species composition is concerned, the Cyprinidae was 58% followed by Balitoridaedae (9%),
Amblycipitade (6%) and rest 3% each (Fig. 3).

Figure 3. Percentage Distribution of Species of Different Families

According to IUCN (2018-1), out of the 33 fish species 18 species fall in Least Concerned (LC) category with 55%; 7
species in Near Threatened (NT) with 21%; 4 species in Not Evaluated (NE) with 12%; 2 species in endangered (EN) with 6%; 1
species in Data Deficient (DD) with 3%; 1 species in Vulnerable (VU) with 3% (Fig. 4).

Figure 4. Percentage Distribution of Conservation Status of Recorded Fish Species

IV. DISCUSSION
The physico-chemical parameters of the river water remained at permissible limit of BIS. Temperature was significantly
positive correlated with CO2 (r=0.898) and alkalinity (r=0.921) at 0.01 level; simply negative correlated with free DO (r=-0.545),
hardness (r=-0.023), salinity (r=-0.313) and TDS (r=-0.193) while positive correlated with pH (r= 0.425). pH was positively
correlated with CO2 (r=0.221), alkalinity (r=0.572), hardness (r=0.135), TDS (r=0.034) while negatively correlated with DO (r=-
0.327) and salinity (r=-0.306). DO was significantly negative correlated with CO2 (r=-0.694), TDS (r=-0.642) and hardness (r=-
0.799) at 0.05 and 0.01 level respectively; simply negative correlated with alkalinity (r=-0.430) and salinity r=-0.566). CO2 was
significantly positive correlated with alkalinity (r=0.805) at 0.05 level; simply positive correlated with hardness (r=0.2180,
salinity (r=0.029) and TDS (r=0.060). Alkalinity was negative correlated with hardness (r=-0.090), salinity (r=-0.432) and TDS
(r=-0.221). Hardness was significantly positive correlated with salinity (r=0.879) and TDs (r=0.940) at 0.01 level. Salinity was
significantly positive correlated with TDS (r=0.875) at 0.01 level (Table 3).
As far as abundance of the species is concerned, certain species like Barilius bendelisis, Devario devario, Aborichthys
kempi, Schizothorax richardsonii, etc. were mostly common. While some species such as Bangana dero, labeo pangusia, Channa

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pomanensis, Mastacembelus armatus, etc. were found occasionally. Species like Clarius magur. Olyra logicaudata, Anguilla
bengalensis, etc. were rare and showed some degree of seasonality. As per IUCN-2018-1 (Table 2), a number of 18 species were
found under least concerned (LC), 7 species were near threatened (NT), 1 species were vulnerable (VU), 1 species were data
deficient (DD), 2 species as endangered (EN) and 4 species under not evaluated (NE). The species like Bangana dero, Barilius sp.,
Danio sp., Pethia sp., etc. were listed in least concern category. The species under vulnerable was Schizothorax richardsonii
while, Labeo pangusia, Neolissochilus hexagonolepis, Tor tor, Balitora brucei, Schistura devdevi, Aborichthys kempi and
Anguilla bengalensis were listed in near threatened. Some of the species namely Garra arunachalensis, Ambelyceps
arunachalensis, Exostoma tenuicaudata and Channa pomanensis were listed under not evaluated category. Two species namely
Tor putitora and Clarias magur were listed in endangered category while, Pterocryptis indicus is the only species which was falls
in the data deficient category.
Table 2. Fishes of Hillem River
Order Family Sl.No. Species Local name IUCN Status
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae 1 Bangana dero Ngopi LC
2 Barilius bendelisis Orpu LC
3 Barillius barna Orpu LC
4 Chagunius chagunio Orpu LC
5 Crossocheilus latius Ngoru LC
6 Danio dangila Tapo LC
7 Danio rerio Tapo LC
8 Devario aequipinnatus Tapo LC
9 Devario devario Tapo LC
10 Garra annandalei Ngoru LC
11 Garra arunachalensis Ngoyo NE
12 Garra lissorhynchus Ngope LC
13 Labeo pangusia Tingir NT
14 Neolissochilus hexagonolepis Gahey NT
15 Pethia conchonius Ngertak LC
16 Pethia ticto Ngertak LC
17 Schizothorax richardsonii Ngori VU
18 Tor putitora Tado EN
19 Tor tor Gahe NT
Balitoridae 20 Acanthocobitis botia Ringom LC
21 Balitora brucei Ngope NT
22 Schistura devdevi Modi ribo NT
Mesonoemacheilus 23 Aborichthys kempi Ribo NT
Siluriformes Amblycipitidae 24 Ambelyceps arunachalensis Tame NE
25 Amblyceps apangi Tayek LC
Clariidae 26 Clarias magur Tayak EN
Sisoridae 27 Exostoma tenuicaudata Ngora-pakka NE
Olyridae 28 Olyra longicaudata Paata naare LC
Siluridae 29 Pterocryptis indicus Tamo DD
Perciformes Badidae 30 Badis badis Yajam chempe LC
Channidae 31 Channa pomanensis Talo NE
Anguilliformes Anguillidae 32 Anguilla bengalensis Ngobe NT
Synbranchiformes Mastacembelidae 33 Mastacembelus armatus Gerne LC

Table 3. Correlations between Different Water Parameters

Temp. pH DO CO2 Alkalinity Hardness Salinity TDS
(°C) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (ppt) (ppt)
Temp. (°C) 1
pH 0.425 1
DO (mg/l) -0.545 -0.327 1
CO2 (mg/l) 0.898(**) 0.221 -0.694(*) 1
Alkalinity (mg/l) 0.921(**) 0.572 -0.430 0.805(**) 1
Hardness(mg/l) -0.023 0.135 -0.799(**) 0.218 -0.090 1
Salinity(ppt) -0.313 -0.306 -0.566 0.029 -0.432 0.879(**) 1
TDS (ppt) -0.193 0.034 -0.642(*) 0.060 -0.221 0.940(**) 0.875(**) 1

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** Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).

* Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed).

Davario acquipinnatus Garra arunachalensis

Schizothorax richardsonii Acanthocobitis botia

Aborichthys kempi Pterocryptis indicus

Amblyceps apangi Channa pomanensis

Exostoma tenuicaudata Barilius barna

Garra annandalei Neolissochilus hexagonolepis

Figure 5. Some of the Ornamental and Edible Fishes of Hillem River

V. CONCLUSION
From the above investigation, it is clear that river Hillem is having a good number of fish species. The occurrence of the
endemic, endangered, and near threatened species assumes the importance of river in terms of conservation and also further study
should be carried out on species under data deficient category and species which have not been assessed by IUCN till now.
Although the administration and public of Basar are regulating the fishing activities by banning and imposing fine on illegal

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fishing, the conservation of the important ornamental and edible species through various other strategies is the need of the hour
for future.

VI. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The first author (RL) is thankful to Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi, Government of India for financial help
through DBT JRF-Fellowship no. DBT/2017/RGU/803, second (GB) and third (DND) authors along with first author are thankful
to RGU for providing necessary requirements to carry out the work at the Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono
Hill, Arunachal Pradesh, India.

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