The ichthyofauna of Maliau Basin buffer zone at Malian Basin Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia

A survey of fish fauna at the Maliau Basin Conservation Area Buffer Zone was carried out during a scientific expedition by the Sabah Department of Fisheries from 7- 11 December 2009. Generally, the streams and rivers were typical of small- and intermediatesized channel morphology located at lower altitudes. A total of 15 species belonging to 13 genera and four families from four rivers and one off-channel creek were collected. Analyses based on the number of individuals caught showed 70% were represented by the family of Cyprinidae, Osphronemidae (23%), Gastromyzontidae (5%) and Claridae (2%). Betta gladiator, Rasbora sumatrana and Lobocheilus bo were the dominant fish caught. The presence of commercially important and of conservation concern endemic species in this Buffer Zone calls for a comprehensive management plan in order to warrant comprehensive protection of the Maliau Basin Conservation Area ichthyofauna diversity.