Tor putitora

Tor putitora
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Genus: Tor
Species: T. putitora
Binomial name
Tor putitora
(F. Hamilton, 1822)

Tor putitora, the Putitor mahseer, Himalayan mahseer or golden mahseer, is an endangered species of cyprinid fish that is found in rapid streams, riverine pools and lakes in the Himalayan region and south Asia, ranging from Iran south to Sri Lanka, and east to Thailand.[1] It is a popular gamefish, the largest species of mahseer, and can reach up to 2.75 m (9.0 ft) in length and 54 kg (119 lb) in weight, though most caught today are far smaller.[2] It is threatened by habitat loss, habitat degradation and overfishing, and it is estimated that it already has declined by more than 50%.[1]

The Indian Golden Mahseer is distinguished from its cousins in the Mahseer family by its long snout, slender and long body. Its caudal, pelvic and anal fins show tint of reddish golden color. While the body above its lateral line is generally golden in color come adulthood, the gold color might be absent in young specimens.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Jha, B.R. & Rayamajhi, A. (2010). "Tor putitora". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  2. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2012). "Tor putitora" in FishBase. January 2012 version.


A specimen of a Juvenile Tor Putitora (est. 14")
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