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| Golden Mahseer, Tor putitora (Hamilton 1822)
in Harries, Arbenz, Dahanukar, Raghavan, et al. 2019.
Cave & Karst Science. 46(3);
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Abstract
In February 2019 a troglomorphic fish was discovered in a cave in Meghalaya in northeastern India. The largest individual seen in the cave was in excess of 400mm in standard length making it, by far, the largest known subterranean fish found to date. Initial investigations indicate it is a close anatomical match to Tor putitora but differs in its depigmentation, lack of eyes and in its subterranean habitat.
Keywords: Subterranean fish, cave fish, Meghalaya, standard length.
Conclusion:
The fish discovered in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya in February 2019 is by far the largest troglobiotic fish yet known, and is nearly 5 times the mean length (85mm) for all known subterranean fishes to date. The only other species exceeding 300mm in length are eel-like Synbranchidae with nothing like the bulk of the new fish. The large size of the latter is probably related to a plentiful food supply.
Dan Harries, Thomas Arbenz, Neelesh Dahanukar, Rajeev Raghavan, Mark Tringham, Duwaki Rangad and Graham Proudlove. 2019. The World’s Largest Known Subterranean Fish: A Discovery in Meghalaya (NE India) of A Cave-adapted Fish related to the Golden Mahseer, Tor putitora (Hamilton 1822). Cave & Karst Science. 46(3); 121–126.
World’s largest cave fish discovered in India on.natgeo.com/31O4YW1 via @NatGeo
