Home › Actinopterygii › Cyprinidae › Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora)
SPECIES PROFILE
Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora)
Tor
IUCN STATUS
Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Endangered
CLASS
Actinopterygii
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Himalayan rivers: Ganges, Brahmaputra
DIET
Omnivorous
HABITAT
Himalayan rivers, clear waters
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Actinopterygii
ORDER
Cypriniformes
FAMILY
Cyprinidae
GENUS
Tor
📋 Description
SIZE
1-2.7 meters long, up to 50 kg
COLORATION
Golden-yellow with large scales, streamlined body
ADAPTATIONS
Large scales for protection, strong swimmer
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Himalayan rivers, clear waters
DIET
Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Himalayan rivers: Ganges, Brahmaputra
REPRODUCTION
Spawns in monsoon, thousands of eggs
DIET DETAILS
Algae, insects, small fish
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Overfishing, habitat degradation
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Angling Prize: These 2-meter fish fight anglers with 20 kg of force in Cauvery's rapids with 5000 wild adults. Their golden scales shine in Himalayan rivers.
2
Migratory Giants: Traveling 100 km to spawn in Tirthan's headwaters their 50 eggs ensure survival in 1000 km ranges. Conservation bans protect their declining stocks from overfishing.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Cauvery River in Karnataka fishing camps offer golden mahseer sightings
Tirthan River in Himachal Pradesh Himalayan waters host golden mahseer sightings
Subansiri River in Arunachal Pradesh eastern Himalayas has golden mahseer sightings
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
October-March. Cooler months improve fishing conditions for mahseer in clear rivers.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Use fly-fishing techniques with local guides to catch mahseer in fast-flowing waters.
