The Adda-holé and Kempu-holé rivers are formed by a network of numerous creeks that originate from the dense hilly forests in Gundia region and are an integral part of Western Ghats of Karnataka. Water samples were collected from the two rivers for three consecutive seasons – summer, monsoon and winter for physico-chemical analysis and fish sampling was also done. The results revealed that the hydrobiology of Addaholé is more favourable for supporting the diversity of freshwater ornamental fishes including the endemic species, whereas the attributes of Kempu-holé made it less favorable for freshwater ornamental fishes. A total of 24 species under 14 families, 8 orders and 22 genera were recorded from the Adda-holé and Kempu-holé rivers, of which 4 species are endangered. The study has revealed that the habitat alterations have effects on the fish diversity and population in the given area.

Keywords : Western Ghats, Ornamental fishes, Adda-holé, Kempu-holé, Diversity, Endemics.