Putitor mahseer (Tor putitora)

Scientific name: Tor putitora Hamilton, 1822

The Putitor mahseer (Tor putitora) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 13–30°C (55–86°F). Native range: Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Mynmar.

Putitor mahseer care at a glance

Temperature: 13–30°C (55–86°F)

Biology

Inhabit streams, riverine pools and lakes. Found in rapid streams with rocky bottom. Omnivorous, feeding on fish, zooplankton, dipteran larvae and plant matter. Juveniles subsist on plankton while fingerlings feed mainly on algae. Ascend streams to breed over gravel and stones and returns to perennial ponds after breeding. The most common Himalayan mahseer and a very attractive sport fish, with excellent food value. Specimens over 30 cm and 5 kg in weight are rarely caught in recent times. Threatened due to over harvesting and habitat loss.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Tor putitora
Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order: Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 275
Common length: 183
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 7.4 - 8.0 benthopelagic; potamodromous; depth range 0 - ? m, usually 0 - 1 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Asia: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Mynmar.
Conservation status (IUCN): Endangered (EN) (A4acde)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm = 1.5; Fec = 26,998)