|
|
| Golden mahseer |
| Species |
|
|
| ....................................................................................................................................................... |
| 'Mahseer' is the common name for several species of large scaled barbels (one of them not of the same genus) found in the subcontinent. The Barbus tor putitora is a coldwater cyprinid related to the European barbel (Barbus barbus) and carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio). Once found all along the Himalayan foothill rivers from West of Afghanistan to parts of South-East Asia, now the great mahseers are found only along the Indian Himalayas. It's South-Eastern cousin does not attain a size to be called 'great'. As Thomas says - 'There be more than one Richmond
in the field'. There are seven of them. All except the last two are found in the Himalayan
fisheries, former two being the bigger and more widespread, the latter
three being commoner in the East Himalayas (Assam, Sikkim, Arunachal). The T. putitora
is a totally different beast from the other versions. Elusive, finicky,
moody and arguably the most beautiful fish in India, the Yellowfin lives
in big, fast water, grows bigger and takes with unmatched aggression
when it does. It's fight in Himalayan waters is aided by the biggest
fins and some of the biggest rivers. Most Yellowfins tend to run downriver
rather than up making good running shoes a necessity. It's possible
to hook a record size Mahseer in some of the waters, but landing them
is a story we'd like you to write. ><"";>
|
| Species |
