Description
The Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora) is a large, powerful freshwater fish native to the fast-flowing rivers and streams of the Indian subcontinent, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. It is prized both as a game fish and for its ecological importance.
🐟 Basic Info:
- Scientific name: Tor putitora
- Common names: Golden Mahseer, Himalayan Mahseer
- Family: Cyprinidae (carp family)
- Origin: Himalayan river systems and tributaries
- Adult size: Up to 2.75 meters (over 9 feet) and 50+ kg (110+ lbs), though most are much smaller in captivity or aquaculture
- Lifespan: 20+ years in the wild
🧬 Appearance:
- Streamlined body built for strong currents
- Bright golden to bronze scales with dark vertical bars when young
- Strong jaws and prominent lips suited for bottom feeding
🌿 Habitat & Behavior:
- Prefers clear, oxygen-rich, fast-flowing waters
- Migrates upstream to spawn in gravelly riverbeds
- Omnivorous: eats algae, aquatic insects, crustaceans, and smaller fish
🧑🌾 In Captivity / Aquaculture:
- Not common in home aquariums due to size and oxygen demands
- Occasionally raised in fish farms or large outdoor ponds
- Requires cool, clean water, high flow, and ample swimming space
- Very sensitive to pollution and temperature changes
Additional Information
| Size |
6-7" |
|---|