Recently, Sikkim Chief Minister released ‘Chocolate Mahseer’ fish into the Rangeet river, underlining the importance of conserving indigenous fish species and protecting the state’s aquatic biodiversity.
About Chocolate Mahseer:
Chocolate Mahseer or copper mahseer (Neolissochilus hexagonolepis) is a freshwater fish species.
The fish species belonging to the genus Tor and Neolissocheilus under the family Cyprinidae are popularly known as ‘Mahseer’.
It is known by the local name kha saw in Meghalaya.
It was officially designated as state fish of Meghalaya and Sikkim.
Distribution: It thrives in nearly all the major rivers and hill-streams of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Tripura.
Habitat: The species inhabits clear, fast flowing streams and rivers with stony, pebbly or rocky bottoms. It is considered an indicator of healthy river ecosystems.
Threats: Its populations are in decline due to habitat degradation, overfishing and environmental changes
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