A study on freshwater fish fauna of Kendrapara district of Odisha, India was provided. A total of 63 species of fishes under 44 genera, 25 families and 8 orders has been recorded. Highest species diversity was observed in the Cyprinidae (33.3%) followed by Bagridae (7.9%). The fish fauna includes 49 least concern (LC), 5 near threatened (NT), 2 data deficient (DD) and 7 not assessed (NA) as per IUCN. The study shows that water bodies of kendrapara district including numerous economical importance food fishes as well as ornamental fishes belongs to freshwater, marine and brackish water habitat. In the study 44 species coming under capture fishery, 45 species has ornamental value, 21 species for culture and 10 species under sports fishery. Water quality of different water bodies are not contaminated as the study shows both the pH & DO are within the tolerance limit of class ‘D’. So the water quality of the water bodies under Kendrapara district will be recommended for aquaculture and

Fish fauna distribution, Kendrapara, Odisha, water quality parameters.

The fish fauna available in different water bodies of Kendrapara district is really useful for the coastal community as there livelihood. The results of the present study may use as base line information for planning a conservational management of fish and fisheries resources of Odisha in feature. Al so introduces in-situ & ex-situ cultivation techniques for conservation sustainable management of fish genetic resources.

Baliarsingh, B. K., Swain, S. K., Oliver King E.D., Nandi, D. and Rath, B. (2020). Distribution and Status of Freshwater Fish Fauna and its Habitat in the Water bodies of Kendrapara District, Odisha, India. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 1