Influence of physio-chemical parameters on fish diversity in Muthupet estuary, Southeast Coast of India

Abstract

The present investigation was intended to study the variation between physico-chemical parameters and Fish diversity of Muthupet estuarine. Samples were collected on a monthly basis from January 2014 to December 2015 at Muthupet estuarine. Correlation between fish and physico-chemical parameters such as total rainfall, atmospheric temperature, water temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrate, phosphate and silicate were performed. The significant (P < 0.05) variation among seasons as well as a high influence of these parameters was observed on fish diversity. A total of 22 fin fish species were recorded during the study period in Muthupet estuarine. Maximum Percentage of average fish abundance L. parsia (11%) was recorded in the year 2014 and 2015. The diversity index of muthupet estuary indicates that the estuary is less polluted. Present study revealed that physiochemical parameters play a vital role in species distribution.