International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies ISSN 2028-9324 Vol. 10 No. 2 Feb. 2015, pp. 466-472 © 2015 Innovative Space of Scientific Research Journals http://www.ijias.issr-journals.org/ Corresponding Author: Sana Ullah 466 Diversity of Edible Fishes at Rhound Stream District Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan Sana Ullah 1 , Zaigham Hasan 2 , Fawad Aziz 1 , Imrana Amir 1 , and Ibrar Muhammad 1 1 Fisheries and Aquaculture Lab, Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan 2 Fisheries Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Copyright © 2015 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. ABSTRACT: The present study was conducted from April through September 2013 to find out the edible fishes of Rhound Stream at District Dir Lower Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Different types of nets and of various mesh sizes, and hooks were used for collecting fishes. During the study period, ten edible fish species were identified. Taxonomically, the collection was embodied to three orders, Cypriniformes, Channiformes and Mastacembeliformes and three families. The most abundant family was Cyprinidae represented by 7 genera and 8 species while Mastacembelidae and Channidae each were represented by only one species. The collected fish species were Schizopyge esocinus, Raconma labieta, Cyprinion watsoni, Cyprinus carpio, Crossocheilus diplocheilus, Garra gotyla, Puntius ticto, Puntius sophore, Channa punctatus, and Mastacembelus armatus. Our study revealed that Rhound stream is having rich edible fish fauna. If proper stocking is carried out, it can harbor more fish quantity and species, and may become the back bone area’s economy. KEYWORDS: River Panjkora, Rhound Stream, Check list, River Barandu, River Swat, Conservation. 1 INTRODUCTION Aquatic water bodies covering 70% world’s surface are one of the greatest hopes of humans for future food supplies [1]. Sea foods have always been a matter of interest for humans on account of having essential amino acids, protein, fatty acids, vitamins, carbohydrates and minerals [2]. Of all the sea foods, fish is more consumed commonly. Use as a stapled food item and key factor of water bodies around the world makes fish as the most important aquatic organism. As fishes are major part of human diet so research about fish fauna have been carried out throughout the world. Fisheries sector is also providing employment and playing a predominant role in boosting up the economy of many countries [3]. Moreover it plays a major role in second trophic level of aquatic systems [4]. The fish fauna of any water body is an important feature of fishery perspective. The distribution of fish species vary due to different geographical and geological surroundings [5]. A lot of work has been carried out in various aquatic systems throughout Pakistan for evaluating the fish fauna. Although updated information is available regarding Ichthyofauna of most of the water bodies in Pakistan. Therefore the present study was conducted to know about the edible fish fauna of Rhound stream at District Dir Lower Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. 2 MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1 STUDY AREA District Dir Lower is situated with Longitudes and Latitudes of 34º, 37′ to 35º, 07′ North and 71º, 31′ to 72º, 14′ East respectively with approximate 2700 feet (820 meter) above mean sea level [6]. District Dir Lower experience an annual rain fall of 1468.8mm and 253.7mm during December and March respectively [7]. District Dir is bounded by District Chitral to the