Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

An annotated checklist on marine bony fishes of the Pulicat Lake, India

Volume 67 Issue 1

M. Yosuva, D. Jeyapragash, A. Tiburtius and A. Saravanakumar

doi:10.6024/jmbai.2025.67.1.2521-13

Abstract

The Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish water lagoon on India’s southeast coast. It has rich biodiversity and supports local economies through fisheries. Sampling was conducted weekly at the Pulicat fish landing centre from January 2023 to April 2024. The study provides an updated checklist of fish species recorded from Pulicat Lake, comprising 202 species categorised under 23 orders, 65 families, and 136 genera, along with information on their abundance and conservation status. Among the recorded bony fish species, 177 were commercial fishes and 25 were classified as non-targeted species. This updated checklist supports the fish diversity database, also the data contributes to promoting the scientific research, conservation, and management efforts and the sustainable utilisation of fishery resources in Pulicat Lake.

Keywords

Fish diversity, checklist, Pulicat Lake, commercial fish, non-targeted fish

Date : 19-06-2025