Neolissochilus hexagonolepis (McClelland, 1839)
Copper mahseer
photo by Jha, B.R.

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Torinae
Max. size:  120 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 11 kg
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater, potamodromous
Distribution:  Asia: India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and China. Also in Bhutan (Ref. 40882), Pakistan and Viet Nam (Ref. 3443).
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Adults occur in fast flowing streams and rivers with rocky bottom (Ref. 41236), mainly in the middle of streams. Omnivorous. Adults feed mainly on filamentous green algae, lesser on chironomid larvae, crustaceans and water beetles (Ref. 40961). They migrate upstream during the breeding season where spawning takes place on stones and gravel (Ref. 41864). Spawning occur from April to October with a peak in August to September. Males mature at 9 cm. Flesh is considered delicious and market demand is great.
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 09 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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