Abstract:
A study of species composition and some biology of fish population in
Chanthaburi River, Chanthaburi Province was carried out by surveying and sampling all
sample for 10 areas during June 2008 to May 2009. The results show that 28 species
(17 Families, 25 Genus) of fish were found at those areas. Seven species or 25% of total
fishes that found at those areas were from the family Cyprinidae. Three species or
10.71% of total fishes were from the family Belontiidae. Other fishes that found only two
species (7.1%) were from the family Eleotridae, Gobiidae and Channidae. One species
of fish was found in the family Notopteridae, Clupeidae, Clariidae, Hemirhamphidae,
Mastacembelidae, Syngnathidae, Mugillidae, Chandidae, Gerreidae, Sillaginidae,
Pristolepidae and Osphronimidae. Walking catfish (Clarias batachus, Linnaeus) is
intended to extinction. Sumatra tiger barb (Puntius partipentazona, Fowler). Wrestling
halfbeak (Dermogenys pusilla, Kuhl & Van hasselt). Siamese glassfish (Ambassis
siamensis, Fowler) and Catropra (Pristolepis fasciata, Bleeker) were dispersed around
the survey areas, especially Siamese glassfish. The results of growth pattern of fish in
the relation of weight and length indicate that all fishes are allometric growth. For the
composition of fish community, the composition by weight was according to ecology
system in the case of energy transfer. For the abundance of fishes, the results show that
the standing crop was 206 fish/100 m2. Survey area at the water source was found a
number of fishes around 430 fish/100 m2. The richness index, evenness index and
diversity index are 3.80, 0.51 and 1.05, respectively. The evenness index is less than 1,
it shows that less species of fishes were found and does not diverse of fishes in those
survey areas. This knowledge from the research could be benefit for further researches
to pay attention on fish resources in Chanthaburi River and other water resources.