Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 May 2026 | 18(5): 28957–28970

 

ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) 

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9531.18.5.28957-28970

#9531 | Received 03 December 2024| Final received 09 February 2026| Finally accepted 28 March 2026

 

 

Ichthyofaunal diversity and conservation status of Nagaland, India: a comprehensive review

 

Rejuba Pongen 1  & Pranay Punj Pankaj 2       

 

1 Department of Zoology, Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung, Nagaland 798601, India.

2 Department of Zoology, Nagaland University, Lumami, Nagaland 798627, India.

1 r.pongen@gmail.com, 2 pranaypunj@gmail.com  (corresponding author)

 

 

Abstract: Nagaland, located within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, is home to a rich diversity of freshwater fish species. However, the region’s ichthyofaunal diversity and conservation status are inadequately documented, hindering effective conservation planning. This study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the ichthyofaunal diversity in Nagaland and evaluate the conservation status of these species. Systematic review of secondary sources, including research articles, technical reports, and taxonomic records, was conducted. Data were gathered through an extensive literature search across databases like Scopus, Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar to capture studies on ichthyofaunal diversity and conservation in Nagaland. Keywords like “freshwater fish” and “conservation status” were used, ensuring thorough coverage. Fish species were classified by taxonomic standards, with conservation status based on the IUCN Red List. This study documented 202 fish species across 12 orders, 29 families and 91 genera. The Cyprinidae family was the most dominant, representing 79 species. Conservation status revealed that seven species are classified as ‘Endangered’ (EN), 15 as ‘Near Threatened’ (NT), and 17 as ‘Vulnerable’ (VU), while 6.93% of species remain ‘Data Deficient’ (DD). The primary threats to ichthyofaunal diversity in Nagaland include habitat degradation, over-exploitation, invasive species, and climate change. These findings underscore the urgent need for continuous biodiversity assessments and implementing sustainable management practices to preserve Nagaland’s aquatic biodiversity.

 

Keywords: Assessment, Biodiversity hotspot, Climate change, Cyprinidae, Endemism,  freshwater fish, Habitat degradation, IUCN Red List, ichthyofauna, Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, Invasive species, Overexploitation, Species richness,  Taxonomic diversity, Threat assessment.

 

 

Editor: J.A. Johnson, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, India. Date of publication: 26 May 2026 (online & print)

 

Citation: Pongen, R. & P.P. Pankaj (2026). Ichthyofaunal diversity and conservation status of Nagaland, India: a comprehensive review. Journal of Threatened Taxa 18(5): 28957–28970. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9531.18.5.28957-28970

  

Copyright: © Pongen & Pankaj 2026. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this article in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication.

 

Funding: This research was supported by the ICAR–National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow.

 

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

 

Author details: Dr. Pranay Punj Pankaj, Associate Professor of Zoology at Nagaland University, India. His research focuses on ichthyofaunal diversity, indigenous fisheries knowledge, and aquatic conservation. He has led multiple funded projects and published extensively, and actively mentors research scholars. Mr. Rejuba Pongen, Assistant Professor of Zoology at Fazl Ali College, Nagaland, India, with over 13 years of teaching experience. He holds an MSc from NEHU and is currently pursuing a PhD at Nagaland University, focusing on ichthyofaunal diversity and conservation in northeastern India.

 

Author contribution: RP conceptualized the study, conducted ichthyofaunal data collection, performed data analysis, and drafted the manuscript. PPP supervised the research, critically reviewed and edited the manuscript, and served as the corresponding author, ensuring scholarly rigor and coherence.

 

Acknowledgments: The authors acknowledge all researchers whose work is cited. PPP gratefully acknowledges financial support from ICAR–National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow. The authors also thank policymakers and local communities for their contributions to ichthyofaunal research and conservation in Nagaland.

 

 

 INTRODUCTION

 

Freshwater ecosystems do not only support fish species but also many other aquatic species. Despite covering less than 1% of the Earth’s surface, these habitats including rivers, lakes, and wetlands are home to over 40% of all fish species and approximately 10% of the world’s documented species, including a quarter of all vertebrates (Strayer & Dudgeon 2010). The global fish fauna comprises around 17,948 marine species and 18,397 freshwater species (Fricke et al. 2022), with fish accounting for nearly half of all vertebrate species. However, human activities such as population growth and economic development have placed immense pressure on freshwater ecosystems. Habitat degradation, over-exploitation, the introduction of alien species, river flow alterations, and pollution pose significant risks to aquatic biodiversity, contributing to the high extinction rates observed in freshwater species (Dudgeon et al. 2006). This underscores the importance of monitoring and conserving ichthyofaunal diversity to ensure ecosystem stability and sustainability.

Nagaland, a small hilly state in northeastern India, is geographically positioned between 25.100°–27.067° N and 93.033°–95.017° E, encompassing an area of 16,579 km². Assam borders the state to the west, Myanmar to the east, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam to the north, and Manipur to the south. The eastern Himalayan region is recognized as one of the world’s most biodiversity-rich regions (Biswas & Boruah 2000). With altitudes ranging 194–3,048 m and an average annual rainfall of 2,000–2,700 mm, Nagaland possesses rich inland water resources, including rheophilic rivers and streams. Three major drainage systems, the Barak, Brahmaputra, and Chindwin, divide the state’s river systems, traversing 16 districts through 11 major and 10 minor rivers (Ao et al. 2008).

 

Ichthyofaunal diversity and river Systems

The major rivers of Nagaland include the Dhansiri, Dikhu, Doyang, Intangki, Meguiki, Milak, Tizit, Tizu, Tsurang, Shili and Zungki, while the minor rivers consist of Arachu, Chathe, Chokla, Dzulakie, Dzuna, Lanyi, Likhimro, Seidzu, Tepuiki, and Tesuru (Tables 1 & 2). Figure 1 illustrates the river network of Nagaland, providing a detailed representation of the state’s hydrological features. These rivers form the backbone of the state’s aquatic ecosystem, supporting a diverse range of fish species. However, comprehensive documentation of ichthyofaunal diversity across these different drainage systems remains incomplete.

Several scholars have documented the ichthyofaunal diversity of Nagaland. Ao et al. (2008) catalogued the fish species present in the state, identifying 149 distinct species. Goswami et al. (2012) enumerated 187 fish species from the state. Bendangkokba & Ahmed (2007) reported 66 fish species across 16 families and five orders from the Milak, Dikhu, and Tsurang rivers in Mokokchung district. Ezung et al. (2020) recently compiled a list of fish species from the state, identifying 197 species over 10 orders, 26 families, and 87 genera. Kechu & Pankaj (2025) documented high ichthyofaunal richness in the Dikhu River, Nagaland, characterized by the dominance of Cypriniformes and the presence of threatened and data-deficient species under increasing anthropogenic pressure. Similarly, Khesoh et al. (2025) demonstrated that the Tsurang and Milak rivers of Mokokchung District, Nagaland, despite being smaller tributaries, support substantial fish diversity, including species of conservation concern. Recent discoveries have significantly advanced our comprehension of the ichthyofaunal variety in Nagaland (Figure 2). Although there have been recent contributions to the state fish fauna, the species compositions in numerous water bodies remain undocumented and require further investigation. The inaccessibility of most rivers, situated in steep, mountainous regions characterized by dense forest cover, prevents the examination of many lotic systems in the state.

According to current study, Nagaland is home to 202 fish species. Despite significant increases in the documented number of fish species in the state, there is still a significant amount of work to fully explore and document the ichthyofaunal diversity in many of Nagaland’s rivers, particularly in remote and challenging landscapes with dense forest vegetation. The exploration of these lotic systems is far from complete, and further research is necessary to discover and protect the species that inhabit these underexplored areas. The ichthyofaunal diversity in Nagaland is significant yet remains inadequately documented. Continued efforts in research and conservation are crucial for comprehensively understanding and safeguarding the diverse aquatic biodiversity of this region.

 

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 

Study Design and Objectives

The study aimed to review the ichthyofaunal diversity and assess the conservation status of freshwater fish species in Nagaland, India. By analyzing secondary data on taxonomy, distribution, economic importance, habitat preferences, and conservation status, the goal was to provide a detailed understanding of the region’s fish diversity and highlight the need for conservation efforts.

 

Data Sources and Literature Search

An extensive literature search was conducted using databases like Scopus, Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, and other repositories to identify peer-reviewed articles, reports, and books on Nagaland’s ichthyofaunal diversity and conservation status. Search terms included “ichthyofaunal diversity,” “freshwater fish,” “conservation status,” and “Nagaland”. Publications from all the available years were included. Manual searches of key references were also performed to ensure comprehensive coverage, providing a robust dataset for analysis and capturing studies that may have been overlooked.

 

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

The initial screening process involved reviewing the titles and abstracts of all retrieved articles to assess their relevance to the study objectives. Studies were included if they provided detailed information on the freshwater fish species of Nagaland, including aspects such as taxonomy, distribution, economic importance, habitat, and conservation status. Articles that did not meet these criteria, such as those focused on marine species or unrelated geographical areas, were excluded from the analysis. Full-text reviews were conducted for studies that passed the initial screening to confirm their relevance and inclusion in the final dataset.

 

Data Extraction and Compilation

Data were meticulously extracted from the selected studies, focusing on several key parameters:

- Taxonomy and Nomenclature: The classification of fish species followed the taxonomy outlined by Nelson (2016). Each species’ scientific name was cross-checked with Eschmeyer’s Catalogue of fish, a globally recognized database for fish species, to ensure the accuracy and validity of the taxonomic information.

- Economic Importance: Information on the economic significance of each species, such as, their use in local fisheries, aquaculture, or as ornamental fish, was collected.

- Fin Formula and Morphological Traits: Details regarding the fin formula, a key aspect of fish morphology, were documented. This included the number and arrangement of fins, which is crucial for species identification and classification.

- Habitat and Distribution: Data on the natural habitats of the fish species, including the types of water bodies they inhabit (e.g., rivers, streams, lakes) and their geographical distribution within Nagaland, were compiled.

- Food Habits: The dietary preferences of the fish species were documented, providing insights into their ecological roles within freshwater ecosystems.

- Conservation Status: The conservation status of each species was assessed using the IUCN Red List categories and criteria (Allen et al. 2010). Species were categorized as ‘Not Evaluated’ (NE), ‘Data Deficient’ (DD), ‘Least Concern’ (LC), ‘Near Threatened’ (NT), ‘Vulnerable’ (VU), or ‘Endangered’ (EN) based on their risk of extinction.

 

Data Analysis

The extracted data were systematically organized and analyzed using descriptive methods. This involved calculating the frequency and distribution of species across different taxonomic groups, habitat types, and conservation statuses. The results were presented in tables and charts to provide a clear and comprehensive overview of the ichthyofaunal diversity in Nagaland.

 

 

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

 

The study identified 202 fish species across 12 orders, 29 families, and 87 genera in Nagaland, India. The family Cyprinidae exhibited the highest diversity with 79 species, followed by Sisoridae with 26 species, and Nemacheilidae with 16 species (Figure 4). Other families, including Bagridae and Channidae, also showed notable diversity with 12 and six species, respectively. This diversity underscores the ecological richness of Nagaland’s freshwater systems.

A systematic list of fish species and their IUCN conservation status (Table 3) reveals that most are classified as ‘Least Concern’, with some listed as ‘Vulnerable’ or ‘Endangered’. About 6.93% are ‘Data Deficient’, highlighting the need for further research (Figure 3). Threats to these species include habitat degradation, over-exploitation, and pollution. While many species are currently stable, the presence of ‘Vulnerable’ and ‘Endangered’ species indicates risks to their populations (Table 4).

Recent years have brought the discovery of new species such as Garra chathensis in the Chathe River, Badis limaakumi in the Milak River, and Psilorhynchus kosygini in the Tepuiki River. These findings reflect Nagaland’s role in contributing to global ichthyofaunal knowledge and emphasize the need for continued research and conservation. The discovery of these new species also suggests the potential for additional undiscovered species in Nagaland’s rivers, which are valuable for understanding evolutionary and biogeographic patterns.

Biogeographically, Nagaland’s ichthyofauna shares patterns with neighbouring Himalayan and Brahmaputra regions, particularly the dominance of Cyprinidae. Species unique to Nagaland suggest localized speciation, likely driven by its complex topography and microhabitats. Species distributions across the Brahmaputra, Barak, and Irrawaddy drainage systems reflect Nagaland’s role as a biogeographic crossroads, shaped by historical river capture and geological events.

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

In conclusion, Nagaland’s freshwater ecosystems, rich in biodiversity, play a critical role in global ichthyofaunal diversity. Despite covering a limited geographic area, the state supports 202 fish species across various families, with notable diversity within the Cyprinidae family. The state’s unique river systems and mountainous topography, which create diverse aquatic habitats, facilitate this high species richness. However, increasing human activities, including habitat destruction, overexploitation, and pollution, pose serious threats to these ecosystems. As a result, many species face extinction risks, with several categorized as ‘Vulnerable’ or ‘Endangered’, while others remain ‘Data Deficient’, indicating a pressing need for further research.

However, the ichthyofauna in this region faces pressing threats from habitat degradation, pollution, over-exploitation, and flow alterations due to human activity, leading to high extinction risks for vulnerable species. Although recent discoveries, such as Garra chathensis, Badis limaakumi, and Psilorhynchus kosygini, have enhanced the documentation of local biodiversity, further research is necessary, especially in remote areas. Continued efforts to study, monitor, and conserve Nagaland’s fish diversity are essential for maintaining ecosystem stability, protecting species from extinction, and contributing valuable knowledge to global freshwater biodiversity conservation initiatives.

 

Table 1. Major Rivers of Nagaland, India.

 

Major rivers

District

River system

1

Dhansiri

Dimapur

Brahmaputra

2

Dikhu

Mokokchung

Brahmaputra

3

Doyang

Wokha

Brahmaputra

4

Intangki

Wokha

Brahmaputra

5

Milak

Mokokchung

Brahmaputra

6

Shili

Longleng

Brahmaputra

7

Tizit

Mon

Brahmaputra

8

Tsurang

Mokokchung

Brahmaputra

9

Meguiki

Peren

Barak

10

Tizu

Phek

Chindwin

11

Zungki

Kiphire

Chindwin

 

Table 2. Minor rivers of Nagaland, India.

 

Minor rivers

District

River system

1

Chathe

Kohima

Brahmaputra

2

Dzuna

Kohima

Brahmaputra

3

Tepuiki

Kohima

Barak

4

Dzulakie

Kohima

Barak

5

Tesuru

Phek

Irrawaddy

6

Arachu

Phek

Irrawaddy

7

Lanyi

Phek

Irrawaddy

8

Likhimro

Kiphire

Irrawaddy

9

Seidzu

Phek

Irrawaddy

10

Chokla

Tuensang

Irrawaddy

 

Table 3. Systematic list of fish species in Nagaland and their IUCN Red List conservation status.

 

Scientific Name

Family

Fin formula

IUCN Red List status (2024)

1

Ailia coila (Hamilton, 1822)

Ailiidae

A58-75;PI14-16;Vi5

NT

2

Clupisoma garua (Hamilton, 1822)

Ailiidae

DI7;Aiii26-33;PI11;Vi5

LC

3

Parambassis nama Hamilton, 1822

Ambassidae

DVII+I15-17;AIII15-17;Pii11-12;VI5

LC

4

Parambassis baculis (Hamilton, 1822)

Ambassidae

DVI+I12-13;AIII12-13;Pi11-12;VI5

LC

5

Parambassis ranga Hamilton, 1822

Ambassidae

DVII+I11-14;AIII13-15;Pi11-12;VI5

LC

6

Amblyceps apangi Nath & Dey, 1989

Amblycipitidae

Dii5-6; Aii-iii7; PI16;VI5; C7+7

LC

7

Amblyceps arunachalense Nath & Dey, 1989

Amblycipitidae

DI7;AV8;PI7;VI5;C6+9

EN

8

Amblyceps mangois (Hamilton, 1822)

Amblycipitidae

DI5-6;Aii-iii6-8;PI7;Vi5-6

LC

9

Anabas cobojius (Hamilton, 1822)

Anabantidae

DXVI-XVIII9-10; AIX-XI9-11;Pi13-15;VI5

DD

10

Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792)

Anabantidae

DXVI-XVIII8-10;AVIII-XI9-11;Pi13-14;VI5

LC

11

Anguilla bengalensis Gray, 1831

Anguillidae

D250-305;A220-250;P18

NT

12

Badis badis (Hamilton, 1822)

Badidae

DXVI-XVIII 7-10;AIII 6-8;P12;VI5

LC         

13

Badis limaakumi Praveenraj, 2023

Badidae

D17(8)9(10);A3(10)7(4);P13(5),14(1)V1,5(10)

NE

14

Batasio batasio (Hamilton, 1822)

Bagridae

DI7;Aiii-iv9-10;PI5-8;Vi5

LC

15

Mystus armatus Day, 1865

Bagridae

DI7;Aiii8;PI9;Vi5

LC

16

Mystus bleekeri Day, 1877

Bagridae

DI7-8;Aiii6-7;PI9-10;Vi5

LC

17

Mystus cavasius (Hamilton, 1822)

Bagridae

DI7;Aiv7-9;PI8;Vi5

LC

18

Mystus tengara (Hamilton, 1822)

Bagridae

DI7;Aii-iii9-10;PI8;Vi5

LC

19

Mystus vittatus (Bloch, 1794)

Bagridae

DI7;Aii-iii7-9;PI9;Vi5

LC

20

Olyra burmanica Day, 1872

Bagridae

Di7;Aiii13;PI4;Vi5

DD

21

Olyra horae Prashad & Mukerji, 1929

Bagridae

Di7;Aiii18;PI7;Vi5

DD

22

Olyra kempi Chaudhuri, 1912

Bagridae

Di6-7;A iii15-20;PI4-6;Vi5

LC

23

Olyra longicaudata McClelland, 1842

Bagridae

Di6-7;Aiii15-20;PI4-6;Vi5

LC

24

Sperata aor (Hamilton, 1822)

Bagridae

DI7;A iii-iv 8-10;PI9-10;Vi5;C17

LC

25

Sperata seenghala (Sykes, 1839)

Bagridae

DI7; Aiii8-9;PI9;Vi5;C19-21

LC

26

Balitora brucei Gray, 1830

Balitoridae

Diii8;Aiii5;Pix-x10-12;Vii9-10

NT

27

Balitora burmanica Hora, 1932

Balitoridae

Diii8;Aiii5;Pviii-x10-12;Vii9

LC

28

Homalopteroides rupicola (Prashad & Mukerji, 1929)

Balitoridae

Dii7;Aii5;Pv11;Vii6

LC

29

Strongylura strongylura (van Hasselt, 1823)

Belonidae

D12-15;A15-18;P10-12;V6

LC

30

Xenentodon cancila (Hamilton, 1822)

Belonidae

D15-18;A16-18;P11;V6

LC

31

Botia almorhae Gray, 1831

Botiidae

Diii9-10;Aii5-6;P14;Vi7

LC

32

Botia dario (Hamilton, 1822)

Botiidae

Dii8;Aii5;P15;Vi7

LC

33

Botia histrionica (Blyth, 1860)

Botiidae

Diii9;Aii6;Pii12;Vi7

LC

34

Botia rostrata (Günther, 1868)

Botiidae

Diii8;Aii5;Pi10;Vi6

VU

35

Channa barca (Hamilton, 1822)

Channidae

D47-52;A34-36;P16;V6

DD

36

Channa gachua (Hamilton, 1822)

Channidae

D32-37;A20-23;P14-15;V6

LC

37

Channa marulius (Hamilton, 1822)

Channidae

D45-55;A28-36;P16-18;V6

LC

38

Channa punctata (Bloch, 1793)

Channidae

D28-33;A20-23;P15-18;V6

LC

39

Channa stewartii (Playfair, 1867)

Channidae

D39-40;A27;P17;V6

LC

40

Channa striata (Bloch, 1793)

Channidae

D37-46;A23-29;P15-17;V6

LC

41

Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852)

Cichlidae

DXV-XVI10-12;AIII10-11;P14-15;VI5

VU

42

Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Cichlidae

D 15-19/11-15; A 3/8-11;P14;V 1/5; C16-22.

LC

43

Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822

Clariidae

D70-76; A45-58;PI8-11;Vi5

LC

44

Clarias magur (Hamilton, 1822)

Clariidae

-----------------------------

EN

45

Canthophrys gongota (Hamilton, 1822)

Cobitidae

Dii9-10;Aii5-6;P14:Vi7

LC

46

Lepidocephalichthys annandalei Chaudhuri, 1912

Cobitidae

Di-ii6-7;Aii5;Pi6-7;Vi6

LC

47

Lepidocephalichthys berdmorei (Blyth, 1860)

Cobitidae

Dii-iii6;Aii5-6;Pi7-9;Vi6-7

LC

48

Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Hamilton, 1822)

Cobitidae

Dii-iii6-7;Aii-iii5;Pi6-7;Vi6-7

LC

49

Lepidocephalichthys irrorata Hora, 1921

Cobitidae

Dii-iii6-7;Aii-iii5;Pi6-7;Vi6

LC

50

Pangio pangia (Hamilton, 1822)

Cobitidae

Dii6;Aii5-6;Pi9-10;Vi5-6

LC

51

Amblypharyngodon mola (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

D8;P15; V8;A6-7;C19

LC

52

Bangana dero (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii-iii9-12; Pi16-17; V i7; Aii-iii5

LC

53

Opsarius barila (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii7; Pi 12;Vi 8; A iii10-11

LC

54

Opsarius vagra (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii-iii7;P i14-15;Vi7;Aii12;C19

LC

55

Opsarius morar (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii-iii7-9; P 14-15; V 8; A ii 8-10

LC

56

Chagunius chagunio (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dv8;Pi15;Vi 8; Aiii5;C19

LC

57

Chagunius nicholsi Myers, 1924

Cyprinidae

Dv8;Pi14;Vii8;Aiii5

LC

58

Chela cachius (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii7;Pi8;Vi5-6;Aii-iii19-23

LC

59

Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Diii-iv12-13;Pi17;Vi8;Aiii5

LC

60

Cirrhinus reba (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii-iii8;Pi15;Vi8:Aiii5

LC

61

Tariqilabeo burmanicus (Hora, 1936)

Cyprinidae

Div10-11;Pi14;Vi7;Aiii5

LC

62

Tariqilabeo latius (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Div8;Pi13;Vi8;Aii5

LC

63

Ctenopharyngodon idella Valenciennes, 1844

Cyprinidae

Diii7;Pi17;Vi8;Aiii7-8

LC

64

Semiplotus semiplotus (McClelland, 1839)

Cyprinidae

Diii24-25;Pi15;Vi9;Aii7

VU

65

Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758

Cyprinidae

Diii-iv18-20;Pi-15;Vi8;Aiii5

VU

66

Danio dangila (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii9-11;Pi11-12;Vi7:Aii-iii12-15

LC

67

Danio rerio (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii7;Pi12;Vii 9;Aii 5;C19

LC

68

Devario acuticephala Hora, 1921

Cyprinidae

Dii6-7;Pi10-11;Vi6;Aii9-10

LC

69

Devario aequipinnatus (McClelland, 1839)

Cyprinidae

Dii-iii9-12;Pi11-12;Vi6:Aii-iii14-16

LC

70

Devario devario (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii7-8;Pii12; Vi9;Aii-iii 13-14;C21

LC

71

Devario naganensis (Chaudhuri, 1912)

Cyprinidae

Dii-iii8-9;Pi11-12;Vi6;Aii12-13

VU

72

Esomus danrica (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii6;Pi14-15;Vi6-7;Aiii5

LC

73

Garra annandalei Hora, 1921

Cyprinidae

Diii7-8;Pi12-14;Vi7;Aii5

LC

74

Garra birostris Nebeshwar & Vishwanath, 2013

Cyprinidae

Dii8½;Pi12-14;Vi8;Aii5½

NE

75

Garra chathensis Ezung, Shangningam & Pankaj, 2020

Cyprinidae

Diii8½;Pi13-14;Vi7½;Aiii5½

LC

76

Garra gotyla (Gray, 1830)

Cyprinidae

Diii7-8;Pi14;Vi8;Aii5

LC

77

Garra gravelyi Annandale, 1919

Cyprinidae

Dii7;Pi13;Vi8;Aii5

NT

78

Garra kempi Hora, 1921

Cyprinidae

Dii8;Pi12;Vi7:Aii5

LC

79

Garra lamta (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Diii7-8;Pi12;Vi7-8;Aii5

LC

80

Garra langlungensis Ezung, Shangningam & Pankaj, 2021

Cyprinidae

Dii8½;Pi11-12;Vi7½;Aii5½

NE

81

Garra lissorhynchus (McClelland, 1842)

Cyprinidae

Dii6-7;Pi14-15;Vi7-8,Ai5

LC

82

Garra naganensis Hora, 1921

Cyprinidae

Diii6; Pi12;Vii8;A ii6;C19

LC

83

Garra nasuta (McClelland, 1838)

Cyprinidae

Dii8-9;Pi14;Vi7;Ai-ii5

LC

84

Garra notata (Blyth, 1860)

Cyprinidae

Dii7;Pi13-14;Vi8;Aii5

LC

85

Garra rupecula (McClelland, 1839)

Cyprinidae

Dii6-7; Aii5; Pi14-15;Vi8;

NT

86

Garra lungongza Ngangbam & Lithoingambi, 2023

Cyprinidae

Dii7½; Pi13; Pi13;Aii5½

NE

87

Garra zubzaensis Tenali, Shangningam, Bhattacharjee, Patel & Kosygin, 2024

Cyprinidae

Dii,8.5; Pi,14;Vi,8; Aii 5.5;C9+8

NE

88

Gymnostomus ariza (Hamilton, 1807)

Cyprinidae

Dii9;Pi17;Vi8;Aii-iii5

LC

89

Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes, 1844)

Cyprinidae

Diii7;Pi17;Vi7;Aii-iii12-14

NT

90

Hypophthalmichthys nobilis Richardson, 1845

Cyprinidae

Diii7;Pi19;Vi7;Aiii11

DD

91

Labeo angra (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii-iii10;Pi15;Vi8;Aii5

LC

92

Labeo bata (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii-iv9-10;Pi15-17;Vi8;Aii-iii5

LC

93

Labeo boga (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii-iii9-10;Pi15;Vi8;ii5

LC

94

Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Diii-iv13-16;Pi16-18;Vi8;Aii-iii5

LC

95

Labeo catla (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Diii15; Pi16;V i8;A ii5;C19

LC

96

Labeo dyocheilus (McClelland, 1839)

Cyprinidae

Dii-iii10-11;Pi16;Vi8;Aii5

LC

97

Labeo fimbriatus (Bloch, 1795)

Cyprinidae

Diii-iv15-18;Pi15;Vi8;Aii-iii5

LC

98

Labeo gonius (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii-iii13-16;Pi16;Vi8;Aii5-6

LC

99

Labeo pangusia (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii-iii10-11;Pi14-15;Vi8;Aii5

NT

100

Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Diii-iv12-14;Pi16-18;Vi8;Aii-iii5

LC

101

Laubuka laubuca (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii8-10;Pi8-11;Vi6;Aii17-22

LC

102

Neolissochilus hexagonolepis (McClelland, 1839)

Cyprinidae

Div9;Pi16;Vi8;Aiii5

NT

103

Neolissochilus hexastichus (McClelland, 1839)

Cyprinidae

Div9;Pi16;Vi8;A iii5;C19

NT

104

Opsarius barna (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Diii6; Pii12;VI9;Aiii11-12;C18

LC

105

Opsarius barnoides (Vinciguerra, 1890)

Cyprinidae

Dii-iii7-8;Pi13;Vi8;Aii-iii10-11

LC

106

Opsarius bendelisis (Hamilton, 1807)

Cyprinidae

Diii8;Pi14;Vii9;Aii 8;C19

LC

107

Opsarius dogarsinghi (Hora, 1921)

Cyprinidae

Dii7; Pi12;Vi8; Aiii9

VU

108

Opsarius shacra (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii7;Pi14;Vi8;Aii-iii8

LC

109

Opsarius tileo (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii7;Pi13;Vi8;Aiii10

LC

110

Oreichthys elianae Praveenraj & Vijayakrishnan, 2026

Cyprinidae

Dii,8½;Pi,13;Vi,9;Aii,5½; C19(1+9+8+1)

NE

111

Osteobrama cotio (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Diii-iv8;Pi12-14;Vi8;Aiii33-38

LC

112

Pethia conchonius (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Diii7-8; Aii-iii5;Pi18;Vi8

LC

113

Pethia dikhuensis Praveenraj, Limaakum, Knight, Moulitharan & Imchen, 2022

Cyprinidae

Div8;Aiii5(13);Pi12;Vi7-8

NE

114

Pethia shalynius (Yazdani & Talukdar, 1975)

Cyprinidae

Diii7;Aii5;Pi12-13;Vi7

VU

115

Pethia ticto (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Diii-iv8;Aii-iii5;Pi12-14;Vi8

LC

116

Puntius chola (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Diii8;Pi14;Vi8;Aii5

LC

117

Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Diii-iv8-9;Aiii5;Pi14-16;Vi8

LC

118

Puntius terio (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Diii8;Aii5;Pi14;Vi8

LC

119

Raiamas bola (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Diii7-8;Aiii10; Pi12; Vi8

LC

120

Raiamas guttatus Day, 1870

Cyprinidae

Dii7;Aiii9-10;Pi14;Vi8

LC

121

Rasbora daniconius (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii7;Aii5;Pi14;Vi8

LC

122

Rasbora rasbora (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii7;Aii-iii5;Pi14;Vi8

LC

123

Salmostoma acinaces (Valenciennes, 1844)

Cyprinidae

Diii7;Aii-iii14-17;Pi14;Vi8

LC

124

Salmostoma bacaila (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Dii-iii7;Aiii10-13;Pi11-12;Vi8

LC

125

Schizothorax richardsonii (Gray, 1832)

Cyprinidae

Diii8;Aiii5;Pi15-16;Vi9

VU

126

Poropuntius clavatus (McClelland, 1845)

Cyprinidae

Div8;Aiii5;Pi14;Vi8

NT

127

Systomus sarana (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Diii-iv8;Aiii5;Pi14-16;Vi8

LC

128

Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

D iii8-9;Pi18;Vi8;Aii5;C19

EN

129

Tor tor (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinidae

Div8;Aiii5;Pi14-17;Vi8

DD

130

Gudusia chapra (Hamilton, 1822)

Dorosomatidae

Div11-13;A(ii)iii19-22;Pi12-13;Vi7

LC

131

Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton, 1822)

Gobiidae

DVI+I8-9;AI7-8;Pi16-21

LC

132

Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794)

Heteropneustidae

D6-7;A60-70;PI7;Vi5

LC

133

Macrognathus aral (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Mastacembelidae

DXVI-XXIII 44-45;AIII44-52;P19-24;C15

LC

134

Macrognathus pancalus (Hamilton, 1822)

Mastacembelidae

DXXIV-XXVI30-42;AIII31-46;P17-19;C12

LC

135

Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepède, 1800)

Mastacembelidae

DXXXII-XL;64-92;AIII64-90;P21-27;C14-17

DD

136

Rhinomugil corsula (Hamilton, 1822)

Mugilidae

D1IV,D2I8;AIII9;P16;VI5

LC

137

Nandus nandus (Hamilton, 1822)

Nandidae

DXII-XIV11-13;AIII7-9;P15;VI5

LC

138

Paracanthocobitis botia (Hamilton, 1822)

Nemacheilidae

Diii9-11;Aiii5;Pi11;Vi7

LC

139

Neonoemacheilus assamensis (Menon, 1987)

Nemacheilidae

Diii8;Aii5;Pi10;Vi7

NT

140

Paracanthocobitis zonalternans (Blyth, 1860)

Nemacheilidae

Diii10;Aiii5-6;Pi11;Vi7

LC

141

Schistura beavani (Günther, 1868)

Nemacheilidae

Diii9-11;Aiii5;Pi11;Vi7

LC

142

Schistura kangjupkhulensis (Hora, 1921)

Nemacheilidae

Dii7;Aii5;Pi8;Vi6

EN

143

Rhyacoschistura manipurensis (Chaudhuri, 1912)

Nemacheilidae

Di7;Aii5;Pi11;Vi7

NT

144

Schistura multifasciata (Day, 1878)

Nemacheilidae

Dii8;Aii5;Pi10-11;Vi7-8

LC

145

Schistura nagaensis (Menon, 1987)

Nemacheilidae

Dii8;Aii5;Pi8;Vi6

VU

146

Mustura prashadi (Hora, 1921)

Nemacheilidae

Dii8;Aii5;Pi10;Vi7

VU

147

Schistura reticulofasciata (Singh & Bănărescu, 1982)

Nemacheilidae

Diii8;Aii-iii5;Pi9;Vi6-7

VU

148

Acantopsis savona (Hamilton, 1822)

Nemacheilidae

Diii9;Aii5;Pi9:Vi6

LC

149

Schistura scaturigina McClelland, 1839

Nemacheilidae

Diii8;Ai5;Pi9;Vi7

LC

150

Mustura sijuensis (Menon, 1987)

Nemacheilidae

Dii8;Aii5;Pi10;Vi7

EN

151

Schistura sikmaiensis (Hora, 1921)

Nemacheilidae

Dii8;Aii5;Pi10-11;Vi7

LC

152

Schistura singhi (Menon, 1987)

Nemacheilidae

Diii7;Aii5;Pi8;Vi6

VU

153

Schistura tirapensis Kottelat, 1990

Nemacheilidae

Dii8;Aii5;Pi10;Vi7

LC

154

Schistura vinciguerrae (Hora, 1935)

Nemacheilidae

Diii8;Aii5;Pi11;Vi6

LC

155

Chitala chitala (Hamilton, 1822)

Notopteridae

D9-10;A+C110-135;V6

NT

156

Notopterus notopterus (Pallas, 1769)

Notopteridae

D7-9;A+C100-110;V5-6

LC

157

Trichogaster chuna (Hamilton, 1822)

Osphronemidae

DXVII-XVIII6-9;AXVIII-XXII11-13;P9

LC

158

Trichogaster fasciata (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Osphronemidae

DXV-XVII9-14;AXV-XVIII14-19;P9-10

LC

159

Trichogaster lalius (Hamilton, 1822)

Osphronemidae

DXV-XVII7-10;AXVII-XVIII13-17;P10

LC

160

Osphronemus goramy Lacepède, 1801

Osphronemidae

DXI-XIII11-12;AIX-XII19-21;Pi11;VI5

LC

161

Psilorhynchus balitora (Hamilton, 1822)

Psilorhynchidae

Diii8;Aii5;Pv-viii7-9;Vii7

LC

162

Psilorhynchus homaloptera Hora & Mukerji, 1935

Psilorhynchidae

Dii7;Aii5;Pvii-viii9;Vii7

LC

163

Psilorhynchus sucatio (Hamilton, 1822)

Psilorhynchidae

Dii7;Aii5;Piv8-9;Vii7-8

LC

164

Psilorhynchus kosygini Shangningam, 2024

Psilorhynchidae

Dii.8,Aii.6,Pviii(7)7(i)8(3),Vii.7

NE

165

Eutropiichthys murius (Hamilton, 1822)

Schilbeidae

DI7;Aiii35-40;PI10-11;Vi5

LC

166

Eutropiichthys vacha (Hamilton, 1822)

Schilbeidae

DI7;Aiii-iv41-52;PI13-16;Vi5

LC

167

Johnius coitor (Hamilton, 1822)

Scianenidae

DX+I26-29;AII7;Pi15-16;VI5

LC

168

Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch, 1794)

Siluridae

D4;Aii-iii57-58;PI12-14;Vi7-8

NT

169

Ompok pabda (Hamilton, 1822)

Siluridae

D4-5;Aii48-54;PI11-13;Vi6-7

NT

170

Pterocryptis berdmorei (Blyth, 1860)

Siluridae

D4;Aii60-62;PI11;Vi9

LC

171

Pterocryptis gangelica Peters, 1861

Siluridae

D2;Aii72;PI11;Vi8

DD

172

Pterocryptis indicus Datta, Barman & Jayaram, 1987

Siluridae

Di;Aiii85;Pi11;Vi7

DD

173

Wallago attu (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Siluridae

D5;Aiii74-93;PI13-15;Vi7-9

VU

174

Conta conta (Hamilton, 1822)

Sisoridae 

DI5-6;Aii-iii7;PI6;Vi5

DD

175

Erethistes hara (Hamilton, 1822)

Sisoridae 

DI6-7;Aiv7-8;PI7;Vi5

LC

176

Erethistes horai (Misra, 1976)

Sisoridae 

DI6;Aiii7;PI6;Vi5

LC

177

Erethistes jerdoni (Day, 1870)

Sisoridae 

DI5;Aiv-v5-7;PI4-5;Vi5

LC

178

Erethistes pusillus Müller & Troschel, 1849

Sisoridae 

DI6;Aiii8;PI5-6;Vi5

LC

179

Pseudolaguvia vespa Praveenraj, Vijayakrishna, Lima & Gurumayum, 2021

Sisoridae  

D 5, i (1), 6, i*(2) or 6 (7);P 7*(2) or 8 (8);Vi,4,i(2) or i,5, i* (8);A iv, 5, i* (5), iv, 6, i (4) or iv,or iv,7, i(1);C i,14,i(10)

NE

180

Bagarius bagarius (Sykes, 1839)

Sisoridae

Di7;Aiii9-12;Pi11-14;Vi5

VU

181

Exostoma berdmorei (Blyth, 1860)

Sisoridae

Di6;Ai5;Pi10;Vi5

DD

182

Exostoma labiatum (McClelland, 1842)

Sisoridae

Di6;Ai5;Pi11-12;Vi5

LC

183

Exostoma stuarti (Hora, 1923)

Sisoridae

Di6;Ai5;Pi10;Vi5

DD

184

Exostoma vinciguerrae Regan, 1905

Sisoridae

Di6;Ai5;Pi10;Vi5

DD

185

Exostoma sentiyonoae Shangningam & Limatemjen, 2024

Sisoridae

Di6(7); Ai5(7);Pi10(7);Vi5(7);Ci,6,7,i (3) or i,7,8,i(4)

NE

186

Gagata cenia (Hamilton, 1822)

Sisoridae

Di6:Aii-iii10-14;Pi7-9;Vi5

LC

187

Glyptosternon maculatum Regan, 1905

Sisoridae

Di6;Ai5;Pi12;Vi5

LC

188

Glyptothorax cavia (Hamilton, 1822)

Sisoridae

Di6;Aii9-10;PI9;Vi5

LC

189

Glyptothorax saisii Jenkins, 1910

Sisoridae

Di6;Aiv8;Pi10;Vi5

VU

190

Glyptothorax sentimereni Praveenraj & Vijayakrishnan 2026

Sisoridae

DI,6*(3);Aiv,8*(2) or iv,9(1);Pi,10*i(3);Vi,5(3);Ci,7,8,i*

NE

191

Glyptothorax indicus Talwar, 1991

Sisoridae

DI5-6;Aii8-9;PI8-9;Vi5

LC

192

Glyptothorax manipurensis (Menon, 1955)

Sisoridae

DI6;Aii9;PI9;Vi5

VU

193

Glyptothorax platypogonides (Bleeker, 1855)

Sisoridae

Di6-7;Aiii-iv9;Pi8-9;Vi5

LC

194

Glyptothorax sinensis Regan, 1908

Sisoridae

Di6;Aii9;Pi9;Vi5

DD

195

Glyptothorax telchitta (Hamilton, 1822)

Sisoridae

DI6-7;Aii9-10;PI7-9;Vi5

LC

196

Glyptothorax trilineatus (Blyth, 1860)

Sisoridae

DI6-7;Ai9-10;PI10-11;Vi5

LC

197

Myersglanis jayarami Vishwanath & Kosygin, 1999

Sisoridae

D;A5;P10;C15-16

VU

198

Nangra nangra (Hamilton, 1822)

Sisoridae

DI9-10;Aiii10;PI9;Vi5

LC

199

Pseudecheneis nagalandensis Shangningam & Kosygin, 2020

Sisoridae

Di,6(8);Aiii,8(8);Pi,14(8);Vi,5(8);Ci,7,8i(8)

NE

200

Sisor rabdophorus (Hamilton, 1822)

Sisoridae

DI6;Aii4;PI8;Vi7

LC

201

Monopterus albus Zuiew, 1793

Synbranchidae

--------

LC

202

Monopterus cuchia (Hamilton, 1822)

Synbranchidae

-------

LC

D—Dorsal fin | D1—First dorsal fin | D2—Second dorsal fin | A—Anal fin | P—Pectoral fin | V—Pelvic fin | LC—Least Concern | DD—Data Deficient | NT—Near Threatened | VU—Vulnerable | EN—Endangered | NE—Not Evaluated.

 

Table 4. Threatened fish species under the IUCN Red List in Nagaland.

Scientific name

IUCN Red List category

Threats

Criteria

IUCN (ver 3.1)

Conservation actions needed

Amblyceps arunachalense Nath & Dey, 1989

EN

Mining & quarrying

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

B1ab(iii)

Land/water protection 

Land/water management 

 

Schistura kangjupkhulensis (Hora, 1921)

EN

Destructive fishing methods

Human intrusions & disturbance

A3c+4ac; B2ab(iii,iv,v)

Land/water protection 

Land/water management 

Education & awareness 

Law & policy 

Mustura sijuensis (Menon, 1987)

EN

Mining & quarrying

Logging & wood harvesting

B1ab(iii)

Land/water protection 

Land/water management 

Species management 

Education & awareness 

Law & policy

Clarias magur (Hamilton, 1822)

EN

Domestic & urban waste water

Agricultural & forestry effluents

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

Invasive non-native

A3cde+4acde

Land/water protection

Land/water management 

Species management 

Education & awareness 

Law & policy 

Livelihood, economic & other incentives 

Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822)

EN

Housing & urban areas

Mining & quarrying

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

Recreational activities

Dams & water management/use

Domestic & urban waste water

Agricultural & forestry effluents

Habitat shifting & alteration

Droughts

Storms & flooding

A2abcd

Species management 

Education & awareness

Law & policy

 

Schistura nagaensis (Menon, 1987)

VU

Annual & perennial non-timber  crops.

Agricultural & forestry effluents

B1ab(iii).

Site/area protection 

Site/area management 

Habitat & natural process restoration 

Mustura prashadi (Hora, 1921)

VU

Housing & urban areas

Domestic & urban waste water

Agricultural & forestry effluents

B1ab(iii)

Site/area protection 

Resource & habitat protection 

Site/area management

Habitat & natural process restoration 

Awareness & communications 

Schistura reticulofasciata (Singh & Bănărescu, 1982)

VU

Logging & wood harvesting

Other ecosystem modifications

B1ab(iii); D2.

Site/area protection 

Resource & habitat protection

Site/area management

Habitat & natural process restoration 

Species management

Species recovery 

Ex-situ conservation

Awareness & communications

 Legislation 

Policies and regulations 

Schistura singhi (Menon, 1987)

VU

Annual & perennial non-timber crops

Dams & water management/use

B1ab(iii); D2

More research is needed on distribution, life history, population, trends, habitat, and impacts of threat.

Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852)

VU

Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases

 

A4ae

Site/area protection

Invasive/problematic species control 

Awareness & communications

Policies and regulations

Botia rostrata (Günther, 1868)

VU

Housing & urban areas

Mining & quarrying

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

A2cd

Impact of threats on the species distribution and population requires detailed studies.

Cyprinion semiplotum (McClelland, 1839)

VU

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

Other ecosystem modifications

A2acde+3cde

Resource & habitat protection 

Harvest management

Legislation at International level

Livelihood, economic & other incentives (Substitution)

Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758

VU

Transportation & service corridors (Shipping lanes)

Dams & water management/use

Introduced genetic material

A2ce

Site/area management

Invasive/problematic species control

Habitat & natural process restoration

Devario naganensis (Chaudhuri, 1912)

VU

Dams & water management/use

B1ab(iii)

More research is needed on distribution, life history, population, trends, habitat, and impacts of threat.

Opsarius dogarsinghi (Hora, 1921)

VU

Human intrusions & disturbance

B1ab(iii)

Resource & habitat protection

Pethia shalynius (Yazdani & Talukdar, 1975)

VU

Mining & quarrying

 

B1ab(iii)

More research is required on distribution, biology, population, habitat, trends and threats to the species

Schizothorax richardsonii (Gray, 1832)

VU

Tourism & recreation areas

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

Dams & water management/use

Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases

Other threat

A2acd+3cde+ 4acde

Site/area protection 

Resource & habitat protection 

Site/area management 

Invasive/problematics species control 

Species recovery 

Species re-introduction 

Ex-situ conservation 

Formal education 

Awareness & communications

Policies and regulations

Wallago attu (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

VU

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

Recreational activities

Domestic & urban waste water

Agricultural & forestry effluents

Droughts

Storms & flooding

A2d

Resource & habitat protection 

Harvest management

Bagarius bagarius (Hamilton, 1822)

VU

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

Dams & water management/use

A2d

More information about the population size and trend, as well as the effect of fishing and other anthropogenic activities on the global population, is needed.

Glyptothorax saisii (Jenkins, 1910)

VU

Mining & quarrying

Logging & wood harvesting

B1ab(iii)+ 2ab(iii); D2

Data on the species' population status, distribution, and associated threats is needed

Glyptothorax manipurensis Menon, 1955

VU

Dams & water management/use

 

B2ac(ii)

The potential threats to this species require more thorough and immediate study.

Myersglanis jayarami Vishwanath & Kosygin, 1999

VU

Annual & perennial non-timber crops

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

B1ab(iii)

Further investigation into the distribution and biology of this species is necessary due to the lack of adequate information currently available.

Anguilla bengalensis (Gray, 1831)

NT

Housing & urban areas

Commercial & industrial areas

Oil & gas drilling

Mining & quarrying

Renewable energy

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

Dams & water management/use

Invasive non-native

Domestic & urban waste water

Industrial & military effluents

Agricultural & forestry effluents

A2cd

Species management 

Education & awareness 

 

Balitora brucei Gray, 1830

NT

Mining & quarrying

Agricultural & forestry effluents

------

Site/area protection 

Resource & habitat protection 

Site/area management 

Ex-situ conservation

Neonoemacheilus assamensis (Menon, 1987)

NT

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

------

Site/area protection

Garra gravelyi (Annandale, 1919)

NT

Human intrusions & disturbance

Domestic & urban waste water

------

Resource & habitat protection

Garra rupecula (McClelland, 1839)

NT

Mining & quarrying

Logging & wood harvesting

Dams & water management/use

------

Resource & habitat protection

Awareness & communications

Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes, 1844)

NT

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

Dams & water management/use

Domestic & urban waste water

Industrial & military effluents

Agricultural & forestry effluents

------

Wild population should be monitored.

Labeo pangusia (Hamilton, 1822)

NT

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

------

Awareness & communications

Neolissochilus hexagonolepis (McClelland, 1839)

NT

Commercial & industrial areas

Tourism & recreation areas

Annual & perennial non-timber crops

Wood & pulp plantations

Mining & quarrying

Roads & railroads

Logging & wood harvesting

Dams & water management/use

Domestic & urban waste water

Industrial & military effluents

 

------

 

Site/area protection 

Resource & habitat protection

Site/area management 

Habitat & natural process restoration 

Harvest management

Awareness & communications 

Legislation at National Level

Compliance and enforcement

Neolissochilus hexastichus (McClelland, 1839)

NT

Mining & quarrying

Logging & wood harvesting

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

Dams & water management/use

 

------

 

Research

Biology of the fish

Systomus clavatus (McClelland, 1845)

NT

Mining & quarrying

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

Dams & water management/use

 

------

 

Site/area protection 

Chitala chitala (Hamilton, 1822)

NT

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

Other ecosystem modifications

------

Site/area protection 

Resource & habitat protection 

Ailia coila (Hamilton, 1822)

NT

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

------

Pollution and habitat destruction's impact on population declines needs more research.

Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch, 1794)

NT

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

------

Harvest management

Awareness & communications

Ompok pabda (Hamilton, 1822)

NT

Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources

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Pollution and habitat destruction's impact on population declines needs more research.

Rhyacoschistura manipurensis (Chaudhuri, 1912)

NT

Dynamite and other destructive fishing

Human interference and poisoning

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Site/area protection 

 

 

For figures - - click here for full PDF

REFERENCES

 

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Ao, S., S.C. Dey & S.K. Sarmah (2008). Fish and Fisheries of Nagaland. Department of Fisheries, Nagaland, Bhabani Press, Guwahati, India, 244 pp.

Bendangkokba & S.U. Ahmed (2007). Ichthyofauna and ecology of the rivers of Nagaland. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge 6(4): 516–522.

Biswas, S.P. & S. Boruah (2000). Fisheries ecology of the northeastern Himalayas with special reference to the Brahmaputra River. Ecological Engineering 16(1): 39–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-8574(00)00075-6

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Ezung, S., M. Kechu & P.P. Pankaj (2022). First record of Garra birostris Nebeshwar & Vishwanath, 2013 (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the Doyang and Dikhu rivers of the Brahmaputra drainage, Nagaland, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 14(7): 21453–21457. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.7075.14.7.21453-21457

Ezung, S., M. Kechu, S. Longkumer, A. Jamir & P.P. Pankaj (2020). A review on the ichthyofauna of Nagaland, North-East India. World News of Natural Sciences 30: 1–12. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18655783

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International Union for Conservation of Nature (2024). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2023-1. https://www.iucnredlist.org

Kechu, M. & P.P. Pankaj (2025). Checklist on the ichthyofaunal resources and conservation status of Dikhu River, Nagaland, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 17(2): 26504–26514. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9181.17.2.26504-26514

Khesoh, V., Z. Pulo & P.P. Pankaj (2025). Ichthyofaunal diversity and conservation status of the Tsurang and Milak rivers of Mokokchung District, Nagaland. Journal of Applied and Natural Science 17(4): 1745–1752. https://doi.org/10.31018/jans.v17i4.7005

Nelson, J.S., T.C. Grande & M.V.H. Wilson (2016). Fishes of the World. Fifth Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, USA. 707 pp. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119174844

Ng, C.K., P.A. Ooi, W. Wong & G. Khoo (2017). A review of fish taxonomy conventions and species identification techniques. Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences 4(1): 54–93. https://doi.org/10.18331/sfs2017.4.1.6

Odyuo, N.S. & N.T. Srinivasan (2012). Fisheries and management status of Doyang Reservoir, Nagaland, north-east India. Indian Journal of Fisheries 59(2): 1–6.

Praveenraj, J. (2023). Badis limaakumi, a new species of badid fish from Nagaland, Northeast India (Teleostei: Percomorpha: Badidae). Zootaxa 5351(3): 371–379. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5351.3.5

Praveenraj, J., Limaakum, J.D.M. Knight, M. Nallathambi & N. Imchen (2022). Pethia dikhuensis, a new species from Nagaland, Northeast India (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Zootaxa 5194(2): 283–295. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5194.2.9

Praveenraj, J., B. Vijayakrishnan, A.A.C. Lima & S.D. Gurumayum (2021). A new sisorid catfish of the genus Pseudolaguvia (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from Nagaland, north-eastern India. Zootaxa 5082(1): 77–86. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5082.1.7

Praveenraj, J. & B. Vijayakrishnan (2026). New species of the genera Glyptothorax (Teleostei: Sisoridae) and Oreichthys (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Nagaland, Northeast, India. Zootaxa 5763(2): 255–267. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.2.5

Shangningam, B. & L. Kosygin (2020). A novel species of sisorid catfish, Pseudecheneis nagalandensis sp. nov. (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from the Chindwin Basin of Nagaland, India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India 120(2): 105–111. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v120/i2/2020/147555

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Talwar, P.K. & A.G. Jhingran (1991). Inland Fishes of India and Adjacent Countries. Volumes 1 & 2. Oxford and IBH Publishing Company, New Delhi–Calcutta, India, 1158 pp.