Tor putitora

(Hamilton, 1822)

Vernacular names
English : Putitor mahseer
French : Carpe de Putitor

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Huge species reaching 2,75 m in length for a weight of 54 kg. Slender body with long snout. Flanks with broad diagonal black band from gill coverts to upper tail peduncle. Upper side of flanks dark grey, lower side clear. Orange-red tail fin.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the south Himalayan river drainages, from eastern Pakistan to north India, Nepal, Bangladesh and north-west Myanmar. Lives in fast-flowing montane rivers with rocky substrate.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a wide distribution but most of its populations are severely threatened by overcollection and destruction of habitat (dams, pollution).
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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