Interrelationship of bottom fauna, fish and fisheries of Gobindsagar Reservoir, Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Benthic interaction among the communities with reference to fish was determined
in Gobindsagar, an impoundment across the river Sutlej. The material for
investigation of intestinal contents of Cyprinus carpio and Labeo calbasu was
obtained from the three main ecological environments of the reservoir The
analyses were combined with a study of benthos from the same environment.
Conclusions drawn were that availability of benthos regulates the feeding
behaviour of Cyprinus carpio and Labeo calbasu. Under prevailing conditions both
these species have a selectivity for dipterans, especially larvae and pupae of
chironomids. The wide water level fluctuation affecting bathymetric distribution
of benthos led to change in availability of benthos and consequently had an influence
on the trophic spectrum of the carp. Greater landings of Cyprinus carpio from
zone II and I were primarily due to more availability of benthos coupled with other
environmental factors.