Mahseer Fish Profile

[INDOMAHSEER]

About

Mahseer is the common name used for the genera Tor, Neolissochilus, and Naziritor in the family Cyprinidae (carps). The name Mahseer is however more often restricted to members of the genus Tor. The range of this fish is from Malaysia, Indonesia, across southern Asia to Pakistan, including the Indian Peninsula. They are commercially important game fish, as well as highly esteemed food fish. Mahseer fetch high market price, and are potential candidate species for aquaculture. Several of the larger species have suffered severe declines, and are now considered threatened due to pollution, habitat loss and overfishing.

Mahseers inhabit both rivers and lakes, ascending to rapid streams with rocky bottoms for breeding. Like other types of carps, they are omnivorous, eating not only algae, crustaceans, insects, frogs, and other fish, but also fruits that fall from trees overhead. The first species from this group were scientifically described by Francis Buchanan-Hamilton in 1822, and first mentioned as an angling challenge by the Oriental Sporting Magazine in 1833, soon becoming a favorite quarry of British anglers living in India. The golden mahseer has been known to reach 2.75 m (9 ft) in length and 54 kg (118 lb) in weight, although specimens of this size are rarely seen nowadays. In addition to being caught for sport, mahseer are also part of commercial fishing and ornamental or aquarium fish.

The importance of mahseers as a World-famous game fish is well known. The group comes in a spectrum of colors from deep burnt copper, through gold, silver, dark black, and inhabit different rivers through out the length and breadth o India, Pakistan, Burma, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Srilanka, and even Thailand (Thomas, 1897). Among the seven different recorded species (Tor Putitora, Tor Mussulah, Tor Khdree, Tor Mosal, Tor Progeneius, Tor Tor, and Acrossocheilus hexagonolepis). Tor Putitora or golden mahseer is ont of the most-sought after species provideng the main fishery in the uplands all along the Himalayan belt extending from Kashmir in the north-west to Sadiya in the north-east. The fish is also known as Greyhound or the thick-lipped mahseer and has been observed to attain the weight of 70kg - 80kg (Misra,1962). Anglers regards golden mahseer as one of the finest sport-fish and it is a source of recreation to innumrable sportsmen both Indian & Foreigner. Thomas, 1897 in his famous book entitled "The Rod in India" stated that pound for pound mahseer is far superiur to "Lordly Salmon" in sporting qualities. To the local fisherman too, mahseer have been of considerable importance because of their large size, hardy texture, high commercial value and longer shelf life.


The Legend & Myth of Mahseer Fish

Mahseer Fish (Tor Sp.)is often known and considered as one of the most expensive freshwater fish in the world. With its brightly colored scales, majestic look and barbells at the tip of its mouth, it is also known as the King of The River. In Indonesia, most people believe that mahseer fish is not only that they are considered to be a live talisman who can brings luck & fortune. It have often believed that these magnificent fish could keep its owner from danger by sometimes dying itself. It also believed as a powerful protector against evil and unluckiness. In Java area, this fish is believed that Mahseer fish or known as “God Fish” by the natives is a reincarnations of the King of Siliwangi’s army, people believed that touching this fish body / scales can bring special blessing. In Sumatra, mahseer fish often known as the “Divine Fish” it said that this fish have a supranatural power and can only be caught by acquiring a special blessing and permission from the caretaker of that sacred place.Internationally, Mahseer fish usually used as a majestic ornamental fish because it have magnificent bright-colored scales, an attractive body, aggressive yet friendly characteristics that made this fish is a high demand and collectible ornamental fish; in other country mahseer fish have a different market types not only as an ornamental fish but also as an addictive game fish because that mahseer fish known have a tremendous power that can gave addictive thrill for sport fishing enthusiast, some country such as Nepal, India, Malaysia, etc have made a mahseer sport fishing as a national tourism project that attracts many tourist regularly and can contribute significantly to their national income / GDP. Beside used as an ornamental and sport fishing purposes, mahseer fish also commonly used as a premium consumption fish, mahseer fish have an edible scales and a delicate taste with a hint of wild fruit taste in its flesh, in Malaysia, Hongkong, China, etc. mahseer fish dish is a high ranked and high demand dish that served for special occasion.


Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Teleostomi
Superorder	Ostariophysi
Order	Cypriniformes
Suborder	Cyprinoidei
Family	Cyprinidae
Subfamily	Cyprinidae
Genus	Tor Gray, 1834 Neolissochilus Rainboth, 1985 Naziritor Mirza & Javed, 1985

Species

In all over the world, Mahseer fish species were expected have more than 25 species, where some of them have been identified as:

• Tor Tambroides;
• Tor Soro;
• Tor Douronensis;
• Tor Tambra;
• Tor Ater;
• Tor Laterivittatus;
• Tor Polyplepis;
• Tor Sinensis;
• Tor Mosal;
• Tor Kulkarnii;
• Tor Musullah;
• Tor Progeneus;
• Tor Puttitora (The Golden Mahseer);
• Tor Tor;
• Tor Khudree;
• Tor Brevifilis;
• Tor Hemispinus;
• Tor Qiaojiensis;
• Tor Yunnanensis;

Environment Parameter

Water Temperature	22° C – 28°C
Water Acidity (pH)	6.8 ppm - 7.3 ppm
Water Hardness (GH)	5°H - 12°H
Water Salinity	0.05 ppm or less
Water Depth	0.50 m - 2 m
Water Flow Rate	2 l/m - 7 l/m
Dissolved Oxygen (D.O)	7.5 ppm - 8.5 ppm
Substrate	Gravel / Rock

Profiles

Temprament	Active; May jump in a new tank
Diet	Omnivore; but tends more like to flakes, Worms
Care	Requires a large aquarium / pond for adult size, and a fast current water flow. This can be provided by powerheads, and powerfilters. Should be kept in schools.
Max. Size	100cm - 150cm (3kg - 4kg) in captivity; 200cm - 250cm (10kg - 15kg) in the wild
Growth Rate	Slow; it takes approx 3 years to grow to 30cm from hatched

Pictures