Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

CONSERVATION NEEDS FOR A FRESHWATER SPINY EEL. MASTAEEMBALUS ARRNATUS FROM MARATHWADA REGION OF MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

S.P. Chavan, M.S. Kadam and N.E. Ambore

Abstract

Lotic and lentic ecosystem of Marathwada includs Godavari river system and its tributaries Nathsagar,Yeldari Siddheshwar,Vishnupuri (Shankar Sagar), Niwli, Majalgaon, are major and minor irrigaion reservoires.The available aquatic resource is rich in icthyobiodiversity. From many threatened and rare fish species of Marathwada, the spiny eel namely Mostacembalus armatus (cuv-val) has good market value as nutritious and tastey fish, hence captured from the habitat by not taking into consideration its breeding season, catch size, mesh size of the net, breeding habit fecundity etc.There were no conservation measure for the selected fish species from this region. Some bare facts regarding the issue are discussed with some vital conservative measures.