#channidae

Based on the importance and crucial role in biosphere, studying fish is a debatable issue. Among animal research its study is as prominent as bright day light. Biodiversity refers to the number of different species living in an ecosystem. The current study was carried out from May 2016 to August 2016 to find out Ichthyofauna of Garhi Usmani Khel Stream and Meherdy Stream at Dargai District Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. The fish specimens were then identified by studying various morphometric measurements and meristic counts. This study included eight species; Barilius pakistanicus, Puntius chola, Channa punctata, Channa gachua, Acanthocobitis botia, Crossocheilus diplocheilus, Mastacembelus armatus and Ompok pabda belonging to four orders (Cypriniformes, Channiformes, Mastacembeliformes, Siluriformes) and five Families (Cyprinidae, Channidae, Nemacheilidaeidae, Mastacembelidae, Siluridae). Cyprinidae was the most dominant family comprised of three species; Barilius pakistanicus, Puntius chola and Crossocheilus diplocheilus. The family Channidae included two species i.e. Channa punctate and Channa gachua while Nemacheilidaeidae, Mastacembelidae and Siluridae were represented by only one species each, Acanthocobitis botia, Mastacembelus armatus and Ompok pabda respectively. It was concluded that Ompok pabda is strictly endangered in River Swat and especially in Garhi Usmani Khel Stream and Meherdy Stream. It is strongly recommended to conserve this species (Ompok pabda).