An annotated checklist of fish fauna of Bukit Merah Reservoir and its catchment area, Perak, Malaysia

Abstract

The fish fauna was surveyed at Bukit Merah Reservoir of Perak (one of the oldest reservoir in Peninsular Malaysia) and its catchment areas. A total of 47 species from 19 families were recorded: 38 fish species were recorded from eight sampling stations located in selected tributaries (lotic zone), while another 25 fish species were recorded in the reservoir itself (lentic zone). Based on a combination of previously published checklists and the present survey, a total of 76 fish species were recorded at Bukit Merah Reservoir. Out of these species, 25 fish species from this survey were new records. Most of the new records were found in the catchment area of the river basin. The presence of two alien species, Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus, should be noted as these species could affect the population of native species.