View source for Mahseer

{{Short description|Common name for several genera of carp}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Paraphyletic group
| auto = yes
| image = Tor tambroid 160811-61602 ffi.JPG
| image_caption = ''[[Tor tambroides]]''
| parent = Torinae
| includes_text = Genera
| includes = ''[[Tor (fish)|Tor]]'' <small>Gray, 1834</small><br />
''[[Neolissochilus]]'' <small>Rainboth, 1985</small><br />
''[[Naziritor]]'' <small>Mirza & Javed, 1985</small>
}}
[[File:Golden mahseer (Tor putitora) Babai River.jpg|thumb|Golden mahseer (''Tor putitora'') in Babai River, Nepal]]

'''Mahseer''' is the [[common name]] used for the [[genera]] ''[[Tor (fish)|Tor]]'', ''[[Neolissochilus]]'', ''[[Naziritor]]'' and ''[[Parator zonatus|Parator]]'' in the family [[Cyprinidae]] (carps).<ref name=FishBaseTor>{{FishBase genus | genus = Tor | year = 2008 | month = April}}</ref><ref name=FishBaseNeo>{{FishBase genus | genus = Neolissochilus | year = 2008 | month = April}}</ref><ref name=FishBaseNaz>{{FishBase genus | genus = Naziritor | year = 2008 | month = April}}</ref> The name is, however, more often restricted to members of the genus ''Tor''.<ref name="sen">Sen TK, Jayaram KC, 1982. The Mahseer Fish of India – a Review. Rec. Zoological Survey of India. Misc. Publ. Occasional Paper 39, 38p.</ref> The range of these fish is from [[Vietnam]] in the east and [[China]] in the north, through [[Myanmar]],[[Laos]], [[Cambodia]], [[Thailand]], [[Malaysia]], Brunei and [[Indonesia]], and across [[South Asia|southern Asia]] including the countries of India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh within the [[Indian Peninsula]], plus [[Sri Lanka]], [[Pakistan]] and [[Afghanistan]].<ref name="menon">Menon AGK, 1992. Taxonomy of mahseer fishes of the genus ''Tor'' Gray with description of a new species from the Deccan. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 89 (2):210–228</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Roberts TR|year=1999|title=Fishes of the cyprinid genus ''Tor'' in the Nam Theun watershed, Mekong Basin of Laos, with description of a new species|url=http://www.aseanbiodiversity.info/Abstract/53003276.pdf|journal=Raffles Bulletin of Zoology|volume=47|issue=1|pages=225–236|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425082711/http://www.aseanbiodiversity.info/Abstract/53003276.pdf|archive-date=2012-04-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite iucn | author = Jha, B.R. | author2 = Rayamajhi, A. | name-list-style = amp | title = ''Tor putitora'' | volume = 2010 | article-number = e.T166645A6254146 | date = 2010 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T166645A6254146.en }}</ref> 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]].<ref name="ogale">Ogale, S.N. 2002 Mahseer breeding and conservation and possibilities of commercial culture. The Indian experience. In T. Petr and D.B. Swar (eds.) Cold Water Fisheries in the Trans-Himalayan Countries. FAO Fish. Tech. Pap. 431.</ref> Several of the larger species have suffered severe declines, and are now considered [[threatened]] due to [[pollution]], [[habitat loss]], [[overfishing]] and increasing concern about the impacts of unregulated release of artificially bred stock of a very limited number of species.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273517611 |doi=10.3354/esr00673|title=The legendary hump-backed mahseer Tor sp. Of India's River Cauvery: An endemic fish swimming towards extinction? |year=2015 |last1=Pinder |first1=AC |last2=Raghavan |first2=R. |last3=Britton |first3=JR |journal=Endangered Species Research |volume=28 |pages=11–17 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

The [[Taxonomy (biology)|taxonomy]] of the mahseers is confusing due to the [[morphology (biology)|morphological]] variations they exhibit. In developing strategies for aquaculture and propagation assisted rehabilitation of mahseer species, resolution of taxonomic ambiguities is needed <ref name=mohindra>{{cite journal|author=Mohindra, V.|author2=Khare, Praveen|author3=Lal, K. K.|author4=Punia, P.|author5=Singh, R. K.|author6=Barman, A. S.|author7=Lakra, W. S.|name-list-style=amp|year=2007|title=Molecular discrimination of five Mahseer species from Indian peninsula using RAPD analysis|journal=Acta Zoologica Sinica|volume=53|issue=4|pages=725–732|url=http://www.allmedjournals.com/cnmed/Molecular-discrimination-of-five-Mahseer-species-from-Indian-peninsula-using-RAP.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426005627/http://www.allmedjournals.com/cnmed/Molecular-discrimination-of-five-Mahseer-species-from-Indian-peninsula-using-RAP.html|archive-date=2012-04-26}}</ref> and adherence to IUCN stocking guidelines <ref>{{Cite book | url=https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/6507 | title=The IUCN position statement on translocation of living organisms: Introductions, re-introductions and re-stocking | year=1987 }}</ref> must be followed.

Mahseers inhabit both rivers and lakes, with some species believed to ascend into rapid streams with rocky bottoms for breeding. Like other types of [[carp]]s, they are [[omnivorous]], eating not only [[algae]], [[crustacean]]s, [[insect]]s, [[frog]]s, and other fish, but also fruits that fall from trees overhead.

The first species from this group were [[Binomial nomenclature|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 [[United Kingdom|British]] anglers living in [[India]].<ref>Cordington, K. De. B. 1939. ''Notes on Indian Mahseer''. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 46: 336–334</ref>
<br /> 
The [[golden mahseer]] ''[[Tor putitora]]'' was previously believed to be the largest member of the group and one of the largest cyprinids; it has been known to reach {{cvt|2.75|m}} in length and {{cvt|54|kg}} in weight, although specimens of this size are rarely seen nowadays.<ref name=FishBaseTor/>
<br />
Currently, the largest of the mahseer is ''[[Tor remadevii]]'', which is known to grow to in excess of {{cvt|120|lb}}. In 2011, UK angler Ken Loughran landed a fish that was too heavy for the 120lb scales being used. This fish was claimed as a 'World record' at 130lb 10oz,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.advnture.com/features/world-carp-record-goes-over-100-lb |title = 130 lb World record mahseer shock|date = 2011-04-09}}{{Failed verification|date=April 2024}}</ref> although the weighing process used is in doubt.
In addition to being caught for [[Recreational fishing|sport]], mahseer are also part of [[commercial fishing]] and ornamental or aquarium fish.

==Etymology==
The [[Hindi]] and [[Kumaoni language|Kumaoni]] name of ''mahāsir, mahāser'', or ''mahāsaulā ''is used for a number of fishes of the group. Several sources of the [[common name]] ''mahseer'' have been suggested: It has been said to be derived from [[Sanskrit]], while others claim it is derived from [[Indo-Persian culture|Indo-Persian]], ''mahi''- fish and ''sher''- tiger or "tiger among fish" in [[Persian language|Persian]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}} Alternatively, ''mahā-śalka'', meaning large-scaled, is suggested, as the scales are so large that [[Francis Buchanan]] mentions that playing cards were made from them at [[Dacca]]. Another theory by [[Henry Sullivan Thomas]] suggests ''mahā-āsya'': ''great mouth.''<ref>Yule, Henry, Sir. Hobson-Jobson: ''A glossary of colloquial Anglo-Indian words and phrases, and of kindred terms, etymological, historical, geographical and discursive''. New ed. edited by William Crooke, B.A. London: J. Murray, 1903.</ref> The name'' mahasher ''is commonly used in [[Urdu]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], and [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]] languages in [[Pakistan]] for this fish and is said to be made up of two local words: ''maha'' = big and ''sher'' = [[lion]], as it ascends in the hilly rivers and streams of [[Himalaya]] courageously. Sadhale and Nene translate the Sanskrit word mahashila, as used in some texts <ref name=Sadhale2005>On fish in Manasollasa (c. 1131 AD) N Sadhale, YL Nene – Asian Agri-Hist, 2005 – asianagrihistory.org</ref> as "stone-like", interpreting that to mean a powerful fish.

Mahseers in [[Indonesia]] possess a multitude of names owing to the [[Culture of Indonesia|multiethnic composition]] of the country; in Java, they are referred to as ''ikan dewa''; literally God-Fish or Fish of the Gods.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mengenal Lebih Dekat Ikan Dewa, Harganya Jutaan dan Selalu Diburu Jelang Imlek |editor=Michael Hangga Wismabrata |url=https://regional.kompas.com/read/2020/01/22/06390061/mengenal-lebih-dekat-ikan-dewa-harganya-jutaan-dan-selalu-diburu-jelang |website=Kompas.com |date=21 January 2020 |publisher=Kompas |access-date=17 February 2023|lang=Indonesian}}</ref>

==Species==
[[File:MahseerTackleAd.jpg|thumb|Advertisement for Mahseer fishing tackle 1897]]

Sen and Jayaram restrict the term mahseer to members of the genus ''Tor''. However, the species of genus ''Neolissochilus'' and the genera ''Naziritor'' and ''Parator'' are also called mahseers due to their large-sized scales and other similarities.<ref name=sen/><br />
Scientists now try to use the terms 'true mahseer' for species within ''Tor'', and 'lesser mahseers' for species within ''Neolissochilus'', ''Naziritor'' and ''Parator''.

===Genus ''Tor''===
The genus ''[[Tor (fish)|Tor]]'' includes:<ref name=FishBaseTor/>

* ''[[Tor ater]]'', Roberts, 1999
* ''[[Tor barakae]]'', Arunkumar & Basudha, 2003, Barakae mahseer
* ''[[Tor douronensis]]'', Valenciennes, 1842, ''Semah mahseer'' or river carp. Synonymous with [[Tor tambra]]
* ''[[Tor hemispinus]]'', Chen & Chu, 1985
* ''[[Tor kulkarnii]]'', Menon, 1992, dwarf mahseer, uncertain as only one specimen found till now
* ''[[Tor khudree]]'', Sykes, 1839, [[black mahseer]], [[Deccan mahseer]], or blue-finned mahseer
* ''[[Tor laterivittatus]]'', Zhou & Cui, 1996
* ''[[Tor macrolepis]]'', Heckel, 1838, uncertain species
* ''[[Tor malabaricus]]'', Jerdon, 1849, Malabar mahseer
* ''[[Tor mosal]]'', Hamilton, 1822, copper mahseer
* ''[[Tor mussullah]]'', Sykes, 1839, erroneously <ref>{{Cite journal |doi = 10.11646/zootaxa.3750.3.1|pmid = 25113692|title = On the identities of ''Barbus mussullah'' Sykes and'' Cyprinus curmuca'' Hamilton with notes on the status of ''Gobio canarensis'' Jerdon (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).|journal = Zootaxa|volume = 3750|issue = 3|pages = 201–15|year = 2013|last1 = Knight|first1 = J.D. Marcus|last2 = Rai|first2 = Ashwin|last3 = d'Souza|first3 = Ronald K.P.}}</ref> called [[humpback mahseer]]
* ''[[Tor polylepis]]'', Zhou & Cui, 1996
* ''[[Tor progeneius]]'', McClelland, 1839, Jungha mahseer
* ''[[Tor putitora]]'', Hamilton, 1822, Himalayan mahseer or [[golden mahseer]]
* ''[[Tor qiaojiensis]]'', Wu, 1977
* ''[[Tor remadevii]]'', Madhusoodana & Radhakrishnan, 2007, [[orange-finned mahseer]] or hump-backed mahseer
* ''[[Tor sinensis]]'', Wu, 1977,  Chinese mahseer
* ''[[Tor soro]]'', Valenciennes, 1842 now reassigned to ''[[Neolissochilus soroides]]''
* ''[[Tor streeteri]]'', Myers, 1927
* ''[[Tor tambra]]'', Valenciennes, 1842, Javan mahseer, red mahseer (ikan kelah merah)
* ''[[Tor tambroides]]'', Bleeker, 1854, Malayan mahsheer (erroneous), Sumatran mahseer
* ''[[Tor tor]]'', Hamilton, 1822, red-finned mahseer, short-gilled mahseer, or deep-bodied mahseer
* ''[[Tor yingjiangensis]]'', Chen & Yang, 2004
* ''[[Tor yunnanensis]]'', (Wang, Zhuang & Gao, 1982)

===Genus ''Neolissochilus''===
The genus ''[[Neolissochilus]]'' includes:<ref name=FishBaseNeo/>

* ''[[Neolissochilus baoshanensis]]'', (Chen & Yang, 1999)
* ''[[Neolissochilus benasi]]'', (Pellegrin & Chevey, 1936)
* ''[[Neolissochilus blythii]]'', (Day, 1870)
* ''[[Neolissochilus compressus]]'', (Day, 1870)
* ''[[Neolissochilus dukai]]'', (Day, 1878)
* ''[[Neolissochilus hendersoni]]'', (Herre, 1940)
* ''[[Neolissochilus heterostomus]]'', (Chen & Yang, 1999)
* ''[[Neolissochilus hexagonolepis]]'', (McClelland, 1839), chocolate mahseer
* ''[[Neolissochilus hexastichus]]'', (McClelland, 1839), brown mahseer
* ''[[Neolissochilus longipinnis]]'', (Weber & de Beaufort, 1916)
* ''[[Neolissochilus namlenensis]]'', (Nguyen & Doan, 1969) 
* ''[[Neolissochilus nigrovittatus]]'', (Boulenger, 1893)
* ''[[Neolissochilus paucisquamatus]]'', (Smith, 1945)
* ''[[Neolissochilus pnar]]'' (Dahanukar, Sundar, Rangad, Proudlove & Raghavan, 2023),<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Dahanukar |first1=Neelesh |last2=Sundar |first2=Remya L. |last3=Rangad |first3=Duwaki |last4=Proudlove |first4=Graham |last5=Raghavan |first5=Rajeev |date=2023-06-02 |title=The world's largest cave fish from Meghalaya, Northeast India, is a new species, ''Neolissochilus pnar'' (Cyprinidae, Torinae) |url=https://vertebrate-zoology.arphahub.com/article/101011/ |journal=Vertebrate Zoology |language=en |volume=73 |pages=141–152 |doi=10.3897/vz.73.e101011 |issn=2625-8498|doi-access=free }}</ref> cave mahseer
* ''[[Neolissochilus soroides]]'', (Duncker, 1904)
* ''[[Neolissochilus spinulosus]]'', (McClelland, 1845), spinulosus mahseer
* ''[[Neolissochilus stevensonii]]'', (Day, 1870), Stevenson's mahseer
* ''[[Neolissochilus stracheyi]]'', (Day, 1871), blue mahseer
* ''[[Neolissochilus subterraneus]]'', Vidthayanon & Kottelat, 2003
* ''[[Neolissochilus sumatranus]]'', (Weber & de Beaufort, 1916)
* ''[[Neolissochilus theinemanni]]'', (Ahl, 1933)
* ''[[Neolissochilus tweediei]]'', (Herre & Myers, 1937) junior synonym of [[Neolissochilus soroides]]<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280910873 |doi=10.11646/zootaxa.3962.1.7|title=Cyprinid fishes of the genus ''Neolissochilus ''in Peninsular Malaysia. |year=2015 |last1=Khaironizam |first1=M. Z. |last2=Akaria-Ismail |first2=M. |last3=Armbruster |first3=Jonathan W. |journal=Zootaxa |volume=3962 |pages=139–157 |pmid=26249381 }}</ref>
* ''[[Neolissochilus vittatus]]'', (Smith, 1945)
* ''[[Neolissochilus wynaadensis]]'', (Day, 1873), copper mahseer

===Genus ''Naziritor''===
The genus ''Naziritor'' includes:<ref name=FishBaseNaz/>

* ''[[Naziritor zhobensis]]'', Mirza, 1967, Balochi mahseer
*''[[Naziritor chelynoides]]'', McClelland, 1839, Dark mahseer <ref>{{Cite iucn |author=Dahanukar, N. |year=2015|title= ''Naziritor chelynoides'' |article-number= e.T166420A70080553 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-1.RLTS.T166420A70080553.en |doi-access = free}}</ref>

===Genus ''Parator''===
The genus ''Parator'' includes:<ref name=FishBasePar>{{FishBase genus | genus = Parator | month = April | year = 2024}}</ref> [[monotypy|one single species]]

* ''[[Parator zonatus]]'', Lin, 1935, Tri-lobed lip barbel

==Historical references==
Researchers working at sites from the Harappan era or [[Indus Valley Civilisation]], found collections of pottery decorated with fish motifs as well as fish bones left in midden pits. Hora <ref>Fish paintings of the third millennium BC from Nal (Baluchistan) and their zoogeographical significance
SL Hora – 1956 – Manager of Publications, Civil Lines</ref> describes his interpretation of each of the species depicted on the painted pots, which include most of the species common today in the Indus basin, including mahseer. During his work on the remains of fish bones, renowned ethnoarchaeologist Dr William R. Belcher <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.harappa.com/experts/william-belcher |title = William Belcher}}</ref> discovered that while fish, including large species like Indian major carps and various catfish, comprised a substantial element of the diets of this 3300–1300 BCE civilisation, bones of mahseer were extremely rare.<ref>Fish exploitation of the Baluchistan and Indus Valley traditions: an ethnoarchaeological approach to the study of fish remains WR Belcher – 1998 – researchgate.net</ref> It has been suggested <ref name=Pinder2019>Pinder, A.C., Britton, J.R., Harrison, A.J. et al. Rev Fish Biol Fisheries (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-019-09566-y</ref> that this is the first known instance of mahseer being 'revered' or singled out from other fish species as 'God's fish'.

During the later period of the [[Chalukya dynasty]], under the [[Western Chalukya Empire]], King [[Someshvara III]] describes fishing in the rivers and seas around his kingdom, which include many areas that are inhabited by the mahseer species [[Tor remadevii]], [[Tor malabaricus]] and [[Tor khudree]].<ref name=Sadhale2005 /> The king includes "mahashila", a "large river fish(es) of the scaly type." He then goes on to describe the best methods of [[Angling]] for the various fish species to be encountered in his kingdom, including how to prepare baits for each. There is a further description of how to prepare the fish for cooking and eating.

Many of the most detailed descriptions of mahseer begin to appear during the British colonisation of India, in particular, during the [[British Raj]] of 1857 to 1947. Many of those stationed in India enjoyed angling for mahseer, which they compared to the thrill of catching a salmon 'back home'. Indeed, Henry Sullivan Thomas, author of one of the first books on angling in the colonies <ref>The Rod In India https://archive.org/details/rodinindia00thomgoog/page/n9</ref> said "the mahseer shows more sport for its size than a salmon." They also produced guidebooks and penned letters to sporting journals such as ''[[The Field (magazine)|The Field]]'' and ''Fishing Gazette''.

H.S. Thomas also gives a description of south Indian followers of [[Hinduism]] equating mahseer with [[Matsya]], one of the incarnations of the god [[Vishnu]] and responsible for saving [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manu]] from the flood. This tale is common in many of the classic Hindu texts, with the first reference being in the [[Shatapatha Brahmana]], part of the [[Vedas]] body of works dated from 1500 to 400 BCE.

==In heraldry (and other official representations)==
[[File:Kurwai State CoA.png|thumb|160px|[[Kurwai State]] coat of arms with a Mahseer as [[supporter]].]]
Mahseer was an important symbol in the heraldry of certain Muslim-ruled former [[princely states]] of the [[Subcontinent]] such as [[Baoni State|Baoni]], [[Bhopal State|Bhopal]], [[Kurwai State|Kurwai]] and [[Rampur State|Rampur]]. [[Dost Mohammad Khan]]'s son Yar Mohammad received from [[Qamar-ud-din Khan, Asaf Jah I|Nizam-ul-Mulk]] the insignia of the ''Maha Muratib'' (the dignity of the Fish).<ref name="William_Hough_1845">{{cite book | title = A brief history of the Bhopal principality in Central India | url = https://archive.org/details/abriefhistorybh01houggoog | author = Hough, William | publisher = Baptist Mission Press | location = Calcutta | year = 1845 | oclc = 16902742 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/abriefhistorybh01houggoog/page/n50 1]–4 }}</ref> The insignia became part of the Bhopal State's [[coat of arms]].

The Mahseer fish as an emblem of the highest honour in royalty is allegedly from [[Persian culture|Persian]] origin and was adopted by the courts of [[Oudh]] and the [[Paigah family|Paigah]] nobles of [[Hyderabad State]], being later passed down to other states of the area.<ref>Saad Bin Jung, ''Subhan and I: My Adventures with the Angling Legend of India''. Roli Books, New Delhi 2012</ref>

In [[India]], many states have adopted mahseer as their State Fish. [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] and [[Uttarakhand]] all have the [[golden mahseer]], [[Nagaland]] has the 'Chocolate mahseer', ''[[Neolissochilus hexagonolepis]]'' as their State Fish, [[Odisha]] has the fish known as 'Mahanadi mahseer', ''[[Tor tor|Tor mosal mahanadicus]]'' as its State Fish.<ref>{{cite web|title=State Fishes of India|url=http://nfdb.gov.in/PDF/Fish%20&%20Fisheries%20of%20India/2.State%20Fishes%20of%20India.pdf|publisher=National Fisheries Development Board, Government of India|access-date=25 December 2020}}</ref> The southern state of [[Karnataka]] is considering changing its State Fish from [[Carnatic carp]] to the [[IUCN]] [[IUCN Red List|Red Listed]] ''Critically Endangered'' ''[[Tor remadevii]]''.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.deccanherald.com/state/mahseer-may-get-state-fish-tag-744615.html| title = Mahseer may get 'state fish' tag {{!}} Deccan Herald| date = 3 July 2019}}</ref>

There have been calls for ''[[Tor tambra]]'', the 'Java mahseer' known locally as emperau, to be adopted as the national fish of [[Malaysia]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2014/01/24/empurau-as-national-fish-breeder-suggests-to-tourism-malaysia-boss| title = Empurau as national fish, breeder suggests to Tourism Malaysia boss {{!}} The Star}}</ref>

==Conservation issues for mahseer==
Translocation movements of mahseer within India have been happening since the 1850s, at least.<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/186193 |title = The journal of the Bombay Natural History Society|publisher = Bombay Natural History Society|year = 1951| volume=50 }}</ref> During this period, the integrity and identity of species was poorly understood, which may have caused unintentional issues of [[Hybridisation (biology)|Hybridisation]] between species or competition from [[Invasive species]].

Among the best documented areas where fish movements have been used for reasons of improving angling sport, or attempting to augment declining stocks are the [[Lakes of Kumaon hills]]. The Kumaon lakes in Uttarakhand, [[Bhimtal Lake]], [[Nainital Lake]], [[Naukuchiatal|Naukuchiatal Lake]] and [[Sattal|Sattal Lake]], were stocked with mahseer in 1858 by Sir H. Ramsey, with stock brought from the rivers [[Gaula River (India)|Gaula]] and [[Sharda River|Kali]]. According to Walker in his 'Angling in the Kumaon Lakes', the Bhimtal stocking was less successful, until a second batch of fish were introduced in 1878.<ref>{{cite book|author=Walker, W.|title=Angling in the Kumaun Lakes: With a Map of the Kumaun Lake Country|isbn=978-1-01-902594-9 |year=1888|publisher=Creative Media Partners, LLC }}{{Page needed|date=April 2024}}</ref>
Dr Raj, Fisheries Development Officer in United Provinces, in his 1945 report on the decline of mahseer stocks in the lakes says:
"From all reports these isolated lakes had hardly any fish in them before the introduction of mahseer."
<ref>{{cite web |url=https://insa.nic.in/writereaddata/UpLoadedFiles/PINSA/Vol11_1945_3_Art16.pdf |title=The decline of the Mahser fisheries of the Kumaon lakes and a possible remedy |author=B. Sundara Raj |date=1945 |via=[[Indian National Science Academy]]}}</ref>
This is clearly a misunderstanding of the history of mahseer in the lakes, as Walker earlier says:
{{blockquote|text=When I first angled in Nainital Lake, in 1863 and 1864, there were comparatively few large mahsir in it; there were shoals of the lake fish ''(Barbus Chilinoides)'' and many small trout ''(Barilius Bola)''. A morning's catch would include a couple of small mahsir, eight or nine 'lake-fish' and two or three trout. Gradually the mahsir have reduced the numbers of the other fish until it is a rare circumstance to catch a 'lake-fish' with the fly, and I have not for many years seen a single trout, although I heard of one being caught last year by a troller.|author=Walker, W.|title=Angling in the Kumaun Lakes: With a Map of the Kumaun Lake Country (1888)}}
The inference must be that the introductions of mahseer into the lakes caused the unexpected decline of several native fish stocks, either due to competition, or by direct predation and that the earlier fish stocks were notable.

<br />
In [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Tor putitora|golden mahseer]] is depleting at a fast rate from the state even though it was categorised as an endangered species by the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources as early as 1992.

In common with most areas within the geographic range of mahseers, the factors leading to this situation are mainly anthropogenic distortion of rivers due to the construction of river valley projects, multipurpose dams, shrinking habitat, poaching and other stock exploitation, and widespread introduction of invasive species.<ref>Nishikant Gupta & Mark Everard (2019) Non-native fishes in the Indian Himalaya: an emerging concern for freshwater scientists, International Journal of River Basin Management, 17:2, 271–275, DOI: 10.1080/15715124.2017.1411929</ref>
<br />
Intentional stocking of mahseers in the trans-Himalayan region have been taking place for several years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dcfr.res.in/user_upload/77_noticeDCFRwebsite.pdf |title=Mahseer Seed Ranching in Teesta River of Sikkim on World Environment Day (5th June, 2017) |via=Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research}}</ref> It has been reported that the Teesta River in Sikkim and West Bengal has been stocked with hundreds of thousands of [[golden mahseer]] every year since at least 2014 in a drive to promote angling in the region.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/gta-push-to-angling-tourism-with-golden-mahseer-hill-body-to-promote-fishing-in-teesta-and-rangit-with-help-from-tour-conductors-and-uk-organisation/cid/1581070 | title=GTA push to angling tourism with golden mahseer – Hill body to promote fishing in Teesta and Rangit with help from tour conductors and UK organisation}}</ref> That the fish stocks continue to decline <ref>{{cite web |url=http://sikkimforest.gov.in/Reports%20and%20Publications/Biodiveristy-of-Sikkim/12%20Fish_221-232%20web.pdf  |title=Fish Biodiversity as an Indicator of Riverine Status of Sikkim |author1=Saroj Toppo |author2=H. Rahman |author3=N. Haque |website=sikkimforest.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | url=https://scinapse.io/papers/2461900486 |title = Endangered Golden mahseer Tor putitora Hamilton: A review of natural history &#124; Scinapse &#124; Academic search engine for paper| journal=Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries | date=14 November 2015 | doi=10.1007/s11160-015-9409-7 | last1=Bhatt | first1=J. P. | last2=Pandit | first2=Maharaj K. | url-access=subscription }}</ref> suggests that the policy needs to be reviewed and more efforts devoted to improving habitat as the first priority.

==Revision of all mahseer species==
In May 2019, Mahseer Trust and collaborators published a major revision paper.<ref name=Pinder2019 /> This paper includes the latest IUCN Red Listing status and validity of 16 species of the Tor genus. Following this publication, fresh impetus into understanding the ecology of wild populations and establishing more secure species identities will allow coherent conservation programmes to be enacted, and fish currently listed Data Deficient to be accorded with relevant threat status.

==Conferences==
Over several decades, concerned organisations have arranged conferences to debate issues around mahseer conservation. Among the early events was the Kuala Lumpur Conference of 2005, and in 2014, WWF-India convened a forum in Delhi.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261852139  |last1=Babu |first1=Suresh |last2=Behera |first2=Sandeep |last3=Nautiyal |first3=Prakash |date=2014-04-25 |title=MAhseer Conservation In India Status, Challenges And The Way Forward Working Together To Help Protect The World's Freshwater Resources |via=[[ResearchGate]]}} </ref> Both of these events looked at many issues specific to mahseer, and typical outputs included measures to investigate greater understanding of mahseer ecology.

In 2017, Mahseer Trust convened a different kind of event, by including representatives to discuss all aspects of both the fish and the river habitat in which they live. This unique conference included sessions aired live on social media, with a final question and answer session reaching 6,000 viewers.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/news/2017-04-20/mahseer-conference-outlines-new-strategies-conservation-iconic-fish |title = Mahseer conference outlines new strategies for conservation of iconic fish}}</ref>

December 2018 saw the First International Conference, in Paro, Bhutan.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://mahseerconference.org/ |title = Mahseer Conference – IMC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://mahseerconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMC-FULL-CONFERENCE-BOOK.pdf |title=International Mahseer Conference 2018 |website=mahseerconference.org}}</ref>
Among the many recommendations were increased research into the ecology of wild mahseer and ensuring artificial breeding of mahseer is done under strict control using IUCN guidelines.

IMC2 was held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in February 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mahseerconference.com/Conference-master/ |title=2nd International Mahseer Conference |access-date=2019-12-17 |archive-date=2019-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217084351/http://mahseerconference.com/Conference-master/ }}</ref>

Roundtable workshops on the final day agreed to produce outputs, including papers, white paper proposals and outreach media, in the following areas of concern: 
* What is a mahseer? Considering taxonomy.
* Value of recreational angling. Setting standards.
* Impacts of invasive species. Ways to ensure enforcement.
* Developing outreach and education. To share messages and programmes.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Other sources==
* Nautiyal, Prakash, ed. 1994. ''Mahseer: The Game Fish.'' Natural History, Status and Conservation Practices in India and Nepal. Rachna.
* Silas, E. G., Gopalakrishnan, A., John, L., and Shaji, C. P.. 2005. Genetic identity of ''Tor malabaricus '' (Jerdon) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) as revealed by RAPD markers.'' Indian journal of fish. 52(2): 125–140.''
* Rainboth, W. J. 1985. ''Neolissochilus'', a new group of South Asia ''Cyprinid'' fishes. Beaufortia. 35(3): 25–35.
* Mirza, M. R., and Javed, M. N. 1985. ''A note on Mahseer of Pakistan with the description of ''Naziritor'', a new subgenus (Pisces: Cyprinidae).'' Pakistan Journal of Zoology. 17: 225–227.
* Arunkumar; & Ch. Basudha. 2003. ''Tor barakae'', a new species of mahseer fish (''Cyprinidae: Cyprininae'') from Manipur, India.'' Aquacult. 4(2): 271–276.''
* Ambak, M.A., Ashraf, A.H. and Budin, S. 2007. Conservation of the Malaysian Mahseer in Nenggiri Basin through Community Action. In: Mahseer, The Biology, Culture and Conservation. Malaysian Fisheries Society Occasional Publication No.14, Kuala Lumpur 2007:217–228
*National Agricultural Technology Project, 2004. Germplasm inventory, evaluation and gene banking of freshwater fishes. World Bank funded Project MM, No: 27/28/98/NATP/MM-III, 18–32p. National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow India.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Mahseer}}
{{NIE Poster|year=1905|Mahaseer}}
*{{FishBase valid species list|Tor}}
*{{FishBase valid species list|Neolissochilus}}
*{{FishBase valid species list|Naziritor}}
* http://www.mahseertrust.org
* [http://www.india-angling.com/ Golden Mahseer]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071014103055/http://indianangler.com/viewforum.php?f=1 Mahseer information]}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100106014558/http://www.mahseerangling.com/ Deccan Mahseer]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110624063132/http://www.mahseerresearchcentre.com/ Mahseer Research Centre – India]

[[Category:Fish of Asia]]
[[Category:Cyprininae]]
[[Category:Fish common names]]
[[Category:Culture of India]]
[[Category:Fish in heraldry]]

[[bn:মহাশোল]]
[[id:Semah]]
[[lt:Pailgažvyniai]]
[[ml:കുയിൽ മീൻ]]
[[ms:Ikan Kelah]]
[[ne:सहर (माछा)]]
[[pnb:معاشیر]]