Fish scales as bio-indicator of water quality of River Ganga

Various studies have been conducted in the past on the fresh waters related to the various aspects of limnology, physico-chemistry, primary productivity, plankton etc. in relation to environmental conditions and ecology, flora and fauna of River Ganga. In the present investigation some recent approach have been made to study the various parts of fishes like gill structures, scales for age determination, length and weight of fish for growth assessments etc. The SEM study of scales in relation to pollution and environmental conditions is a recent approach. At this stage, in the present study the scales of two most common fishes found in the study stretch were involved to create a base line.