THE MAGNIFICIENT PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL FISH: MAHSEER/MAHASHER

The Mahseer, also known as Tor putitora, exhibits a striking external appearance with its dazzling golden scales and distinct black stripes. It stands out among the freshwater fish that live in the nation’s rivers and streams thanks to its sleek body and strong fins.
The common name “mahseer” is applied to the goldfish family Cyprinidae, which includes the genera Tor, Neolissochilus, and Naziritor. The commercial value of Mahseer is significant, and they are ideal candidates for aquaculture. Due to the effects of pollution, habitat loss, and overfishing, a number of the larger species have had drastic decreases and are now regarded as endangered.

Mahseers live around both rivers and lakes, and they climb up into swift-moving streams with stony substrates to breed. Masheer are omnivores; they eat a variety of foods, including fruits that fall from trees above them, as well as algae, crabs, insects, frogs, and other fish.

Francis Buchanan-Hamilton published the first scientific descriptions of these species in 1822. The Asian Sporting Magazine first noted these species as a fishing challenge in 1833. Mahseer are fish that are commonly used in aquariums or for decorative purposes besides being fished for sport.
ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE:
Mahseer is more than simply a beautiful sight; it plays a significant role in Pakistan’s ecosystems. As the top predator, it contributes to the preservation of the delicate balance of aquatic life by regulating the growth of smaller fish species. Additionally, mahseer serves as a vital indicator species for environmental studies because its presence reveals the quality of the water bodies it inhabits. The mahseer fish benefits are manifold, from maintaining ecological harmony to providing critical data for environmental health assessments.