Tor tor

The Tor tor, commonly known as the tor mahseer or tor barb, is a species of cyprinid fish that thrives in the fast-flowing rivers and streams with rocky substrates in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Pakistan. This fish is prized both as a source of food and as a game fish. Unfortunately, its population in the Himalayan rivers is rapidly declining due to several factors, including pollution, overfishing, dam construction, climate change, and the introduction of other mahseer species.

The decline is not limited to the Himalayan rivers; it is also occurring in the rivers of Central India. Tor tor can grow up to 36 cm at maturity, with some individuals reaching lengths of up to 150 cm, and the maximum recorded length is 200 cm. These fish are well-armored with large scales that can be as long as 10 cm.

The habitat of Tor tor indicates that it is adapted to feeding on the riverbed, facilitated by its sub-terminal or inferior mouth and barbels that help it sense its surroundings. Despite its significance, much remains to be learned about the breeding habits of Tor tor, a critical need given its declining numbers.

Conservation efforts for Tor tor are complicated by challenges in accurately identifying the species. This uncertainty has resulted in its classification as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List. Issues such as dam construction disrupting spawning behaviors, the introduction of non-native fish, and climate change further exacerbate the threats facing the Tor tor population in the Himalayan region.