Chocolate Mahseer:
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.
- 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.
- It thrives in nearly all the major rivers and hill-streams of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Tripura.
- The species inhabits clear, fast flowing streams and rivers with stony, pebbly or rocky bottoms. It is considered an indicator of healthy river ecosystems.
- Its populations are in decline due to habitat degradation, overfishing and environmental changes
- Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
