Eco-Biology of Indian Mahseer Fish- Neolissochilus hexagonolepis

Mahseer- the tiger in rivers are beautifully dressed in the colorful scales larger than the other Indian Major Carps. They grow to giant size and are abound in pristine clear and cold waters of Himalayan streams. Mahseer are most prized and important game and food fish. Neolissochilus hexagonolepis is one of the Mahseer fish species which lives in rivers, streams and lakes in the foothills to upper hills of varied altitudes in various geographical locations in India. It was originally identified from the upper Assam and named as Barbus hexagonolepis. The species is distinguishable from other carp fishes due to the interrupted groove behind the lower lip, hexagonal shape of the exposed portion of a scale, olive-green coloration on back, scales above the lateral line coppery-colored towards margin and bronze-green towards base, and others. The species has been reported to be distributed in Asian countries like India, China: Yunnan, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malay Archipelago. Until this publication, a little was known on its ecology, biology and behavior.