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The river Barak flows along with plentiful tributaries through its different districts of Barak valley
along with numerous lotic and lentic water bodies and comprises of various fishery resources which
offers wonderful habitat for many ornamental fishes. During the preliminary investigation for the
duration of December 2012-November 2013, 66 species of ornamental fishes were recorded from the
local fish markets. Fishes belonging to 48 genera, 21 families and 10 orders were recorded. Of
these, family Cyprinidae was highest represented with 19 species followed by the family Cobitidae (5
species each) and Schilbeidae (4 species each), Clupidae, Bagridae, Mastacembelidae and
Ambassidae, Osphronemidae, Channidae (3 species each) followed by Anabantidae, Siluridae,
Sisoridae, (2 species each) others represented by single species. The study revealed that 8% were
nearly threatened 73% were least concerned 4% were data deficient 14% were Not Evaluated and
1% is vulnerable according to IUCN category and according to CAMP status 3% were Endangered,
29% were Lower Risk- Near Threatened, 27% were Vulnerable, 8% were Lower risk-Least
concerned, 3% were Data Deficient, 30% Not evaluated.
Key words: Ornamental fish, conservation, Barak valley, Assam