• Prof. B. SAI RAM PATTNAIK
• Amanuel Aklilu

Ethiopia is a country with an area of water bodies covering approximately 7400 km2, home of diverse aquatic life including more than 180 fish species of which about 40 are endemic. The diversity in some of the lakes and rivers is exceptionally well than others. The present study is made on the river basin of Omo along side of the Gibe III Hydroelectric reservoir between November, 2022 to May, 2023 at three different sites. To study the diversity of fishes along with selected physic-chemical parameters sampling of water, collection of fishes and laboratory analysis of sampled water was done. The average value of pH was 7.78 with the lowest and highest values of 7.35 and 8.1 at sampling sites. The water temperature ranged between 31.9 - 30.9°C with an average value of 31.2°C. The temperature variations in the lake were normal for metabolic activities of organisms such as fish production. Mean DO of the reservoir was 6.34 mg.lit-1 with lowest and highest values of 5.4 – 6.98 at sampling stations which is at the normal range. The conductivity was found from three water samples between (84.5- 57.9) µS.cm-1 with an average value of 69.63 µS.cm-1. Using electrical conductivity as water quality index (Moore, 1989), the lake has good water quality of its range 80.40–178.80 µS.cm-1. TDS show total dissolved solids resulted from dissolved salt and rock particles in the water it is positively correlated with conductivity. During the present study a total of 38 specimens belonging to 8 families were identified from all three sites out of which nine were frequently distributed and studied thoroughly. Some of the species such as Mermoids, Cichlidians found were very rare and endemic in nature. Based on the study report it can be concluded that the ecology and water quality of the reservoir is suitable for Aquaculture and possibilities for commercial exploration for fish production.

Aquaculture, Endemic, Fisheries, Gibe III reservoir, Omo river, Physico-chemical

"Diversity of Fishes with relation to some physic-chemical parameters in Kindo-Koysh of Wolaita Zone, around Gibe III Reservoir, Southern Ethiopia", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 10, page no.e656-e663, October-2023, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2310395.pdf

"Diversity of Fishes with relation to some physic-chemical parameters in Kindo-Koysh of Wolaita Zone, around Gibe III Reservoir, Southern Ethiopia", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 10, page no. ppe656-e663, October-2023, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2310395.pdf