Int. j. Adv. Lif. Sci., Available online on at www. International Journal of Advanced Life Sciences (IJALS) ISSN 2277-758X Xavier Innocent et al., IJALS, Vol.1. Jan. 2012 RESEARCH ARTICLE Int. J. Adv. Lif. Sci., Available online on at www. ijals.com Page 73 Introduction The freshwater environment have varied faunal community and composition and are interrelated each other, among this fishes are well known species and it serves food source, in the form of rich protein. Further, the fishes are the top of the food chain and can serve as indicator of balanced environment Karr et al. (1986) also environmental quality and anthropogenic stress in aquatic ecosystem Fausch et al. (1990). Extensive historical documentation is available on fish species in India (Day, 1875-78; Jayaram, 1981, 1999; Talwar and Jhingran, 1991) and still continuing by the zoological survey of India with less explored freshwater habitats, including ponds and temporary pools. Lakes, rivers, and streams are facing several environmental problems throughout the world largely associated with anthropogenic activates in their catchment area Young et al., (2004). The present investigation focused on freshwater fish faunal diversity and species richness in Suthamalli pond a small water storage system of Tamirabarani river originated from the Western ghats. Materials and Methods The study area is the Suthamalli pond, Tirunelveli district lying between lat 8.44ºN and long 77.44ºE in the Tamirabarani river basin, the Fish faunal diversity of Suthamalli pond, Tirunelveli District, Tamilnadu B. Xavier Innocent*, M. Karuthapandi and M. Syed Ali Fathima Department of Zoology, St, Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Palayamkottai - 627002. Email address : xiyuvaraj1010@gmail.com Abstract The study investigated 18 fish species belonging to 14 genera and 8 families in the Suthamalli pond. Cyprinids which constitute major and minor carps were found to be numerically abundant and also showed high species richness. Among the 18 fish species, four vulnerable, three endangered, and four least risk status fish were recorded. Besides, the study also observed that industrialization, urbanization and farming activates around the pond are the factors that are probably responsible for low fish composition and diversity. This study could serve as baseline information to assess relevant water bodies in the future management and conservation of fishery resources. Keywords: Fish faunal diversity, richness, abundance and conservation. Corresponding Author B. Xavier Innocent Department of Zoology, St, Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Palayamkottai - 627002. xiyuvaraj1010@gmail.com