Fun Golden Mahseer Facts For Kids

The golden mahseer belongs to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Actinopterygii, order Cypriniformes, family Cyprinidae, and genus Tor. The scientific name of this interesting fish is Tor putitora. They are present in almost 18 different species in India. They are native to the Himalayan region. It is a fish that lives in cold water. The habitat of the Mahseer includes high-oxygenated water and a rocky bed. The Mahseer (Barbus tor putitora), once found from Afghanistan to Southeast Asia, is the most magnificent fish found in many of the Himalayan rivers.

This fish can now be found in the Indian Himalayas and in some parts of Nepal. Mahseer is a migratory fish that migrates to warmer waters during the winter. Because this fish has a keen sense of smell, it can discover food from a considerable distance. Its diet consists primarily of fish and aquatic arthropods. The local anglers often lure them by the baits to catch them. Catching them is a sport in the Himalayan areas while they are swimming in rivers or any of their natural habitat.

What type of animal is a golden mahseer?

Golden mahseer is a type of fish that is golden and silver in color. It has other names as well like Himalayan mahseer or Putitor mahseer.

What class of animal does a golden mahseer belong to?

Golden mahseer fish belongs to the phylum Chordata, class Actinopterygii, order Cypriniformes, family Cyprinidae, and genus Tor. The scientific name of this interesting fish is Tor putitora.

How many golden mahseers are there in the world?

The exact population of these fishes is not known yet, but are under the endangered category, their population is quite less. There are 45 different species of Golden mahseer in the world right now, and out of them, around 18 species are found in India, famous as Indian golden mahseer.

Where does a golden mahseer live?

Golden mahseer is native to sub-Himalayan rivers in India, as well as different parts of the world like Bhutan, Pakistan, Nepal, and Myanmar up to 3,500 ft (1066 m) in elevation. Although golden mahseer prefers streams and rivers in the sub-Himalayan foothills, they can also be found in rivers, both natural and man-made.

What is a golden mahseer's habitat?

The golden mahseer fish species is found in fast-moving waters, such as hill rivers with rocky and sandy bottoms. Golden mahseer climate ranges from 41-77 F ( 5-25 C). The fish also has been reintroduced into lakes and can be found in huge reservoirs. The golden mahseer lives in the Himalayan foothills, Ganga, the Indus, and Brahmaputra basins, as well as the Balamore, Tambraparini, Cauvery, and Kosi Rivers in the south. Adults live in lowlands lakes and rivers and move upstream under heavy monsoon conditions to find ideal spawning grounds.

Who do golden mahseers live with?

They are often found in small schools.

How long does a golden mahseer live?

Golden Mahseer can live for up to 20 years, and grow to be over 6 ft (1.8 m) in length!

How do they reproduce?

Females prefer tributary confluences and frequently lay eggs at dark, near submerged gravel. While the female is laying eggs, the male moves around the caudal (tail) region to fertilize the spawn with its milt (fish semen). The adults soon return to deeper ponds downstream.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of the golden mahseer is Endangered. They have threats of habitat destruction and overfishing. To design plans over their conservation in India, there held a national meeting in the capital to discuss by WWF-Indian. Pollution, habitat degradation, and overfishing have all contributed to the species' population decrease across much of its natural distribution, and it is currently classified as endangered. There is a scarcity of data on the species' habitat, feeding, and breeding ecology.

What do golden mahseers look like?

Golden mahseer is a huge cyprinid that is often regarded as the toughest of the freshwater sport fish. The dorsal side of a grown-up golden mahseer species is golden, while the fins of this fish are reddish-yellow. Golden mahseer is further distinguished by its huge scales and broad muscular lips with comparably longer barbels.

How cute are they?

These giant fish are very cute. The golden yellow and silver texture on their body gives them an elite look.

How do they communicate?

The information on their communication methods is under studied. The golden mahseer lives in the Himalayan foothills, Ganga, the Indus, and Brahmaputra basins.

How big is a golden mahseer?

The golden mahseer length is 9 ft (2.75 m). They can even reach a length of 10-12 ft (3-3.65 m) under very good living conditions and are called giant golden mahseer.

How fast can a golden mahseer swim?

The golden mahseer is a fast swimmer, and it can reach speeds of up to 50 mph (80 kph)! This fish is also very agile, and it can easily dodge predators.

How much does a golden mahseer weigh?

The average weight of a golden mahseer size can reach up to 119 lb (50 kg). The weight can increase to more if they are fed good, like that Malaysian golden mahseer and golden mahseer India.

What are the male and female names of the species?

There are no specific names for the male and female sexes of this fish.

What would you call a baby golden mahseer?

The babies of this fish species do not have any particular name.

What do they eat?

The golden mahseer is a carnivore, and it prefers to eat insects, small fish, zooplankton, and crustaceans as its food. The local anglers often lure them by these baits to catch them. In some states of India, it is a sport as well. But because of this sport and excess fishing to catch them, their population of this fish has decreased.

Are they dangerous?

No, these species are not dangerous for human beings. The golden mahseer is a peaceful fish, but it can be aggressive towards smaller fish and golden mahseer predators.

Would they make a good pet?

The life expectancy of these fishes in an aquarium is quite less as compared to the natural environment. They can live up to five years in a golden mahseer aquarium.

Did you know...

The major cause of their decrease in population is poisoning and electrocution.

Naming the Golden Mahseer

Mahseer is also known as tiger among fish since it approximately means as Mahi which means fish, and sher which means the tiger. Mahseer is a migratory fish that migrates to warmer waters during the winter. Because this fish has a keen sense of smell, it can discover food from a considerable distance. Its diet consists primarily of fish and aquatic arthropods.

What temperature is a golden mahseer's habitat?

This fish requires a lot of space in an aquarium, so make sure you have a large tank if you decide to kee The golden mahseer temperature for water should be between 68-77 F (20-25 C).
 

*We've been unable to source an image of golden mahseer and have used an image of the rosy barb of the same family instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of the golden mahseer, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at [email protected].