FIELD IDENTIFICATION OF FRESHWATER FISHES.

     Fishes are not easy to observe in their natural habitats and , as a result , are difficult to identify in the field. Unlike , bird watching , there is limited equipment and scope for observing fishes when they are in their natural habitats. Most fish habitats are deep and turbid making it difficult to observe what goes on under the surface without the observer getting into the water. Although underwater observations of fishes with snorkels or SCUBA are being used in fish research , they require training and skills.  Therefore, they have not  been popular in India except in the sea , especially around the coral reefs . In addition , diving equipment is expensive. Despite these limitations , there are means of identifying fish in the field , without having to kill and preserve them in glass jars. Small fishes can be caught , avoiding much struggle and damage, by using small and nets and other makeshift devices.

Some prominent clues for field identification of fresh water fishes include the following :

1.Swimming right below the surface

2.Bottom dwelling habit

3.Snake-like shape

4.Bright eyespots.

5.Fin modifications

6.Striking colour patterns

The study and survey of freshwater fishes may be attempted at various scales , ranging over a small pond in a neighbourhood to large rivers , lakes and reservoirs that are spread over hundreds of hectares . It is always easy to study fishes within s\mall areas. However , one has to choose the right methods. Further , if we are interested in collecting all the species that might be found in any one particular habitat, several methods will have to be adopted. Some of the most easy-to-adopt methods are discussed below.

1.Small hand - drawn nets/towels

2.Dip nets

3.Drag nets

4.Cast nets

5.Gill nets

6.Traditional methods

7.Hook and line

8.Dynamiting