Captive Maturation and Breeding of Magnificent Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora): A Significant Step Toward Ex Situ Conservation

The golden mahseer (Tor putitora), a culturally significant and endangered freshwater fish species native to the Himalayan region, faces numerous threats due to habitat degradation, overfishing, pollution, and climate change. The conservation of this iconic fish extends beyond biology, encompassing culture, society, and ecology. Ex situ conservation strategies, including captive breeding and hatchery management, are essential to address its multifaceted challenges. This text delves into the importance of golden mahseer in generating livelihoods through sports and recreational fishery, reproductive dysfunction in captive golden mahseer hindering conservation efforts, and necessitating innovative solutions. The advancement of golden mahseer captive maturation and breeding technology contributes to the production of fry for introduction into both natural and artificial aquatic environments, ensuring the preservation of this remarkable fish species. Ex situ conservation offers benefits such as species preservation, genetic diversity maintenance, research and monitoring opportunities, supplementation of wild populations, reduced human disturbance, and enhanced education and awareness. The success of captive maturation and breeding, integrated with in situ conservation, provides hope for the continued existence of the golden mahseer in its natural habitat.