Researchers Discover Two New Freshwater Fish Species from Nagaland

Category : National Published on: March 10 2026

Share on facebook

Researchers have identified two new freshwater fish species from Nagaland, highlighting the rich but underexplored aquatic biodiversity of Northeast India. The discoveries were published in the international journal Zootaxa and were made during ichthyological surveys in tributaries of the Brahmaputra River in Mokokchung district. The research was conducted by J. Praveenraj of the ICAR – Central Island Agricultural Research Institute and independent researcher Balaji Vijayakrishnan.
The newly identified species, Glyptothorax sentimereni and Oreichthys elianae, were named after the son and daughter of Limakum, a late assistant professor from Nagaland who collaborated closely with the researchers. Glyptothorax sentimereni was discovered in the rocky stretches of the Dikhu River and belongs to a group of torrent-dwelling catfish adapted to fast-flowing streams, possessing a specialised adhesive apparatus to cling to rocks in strong currents.
The second species, Oreichthys elianae, was identified in a tributary of the Tsurang River. This small cyprinid fish measures slightly over 2.5 centimetres in length and is notable for its bright red fins and a prominent black blotch near the base of its tail. The discoveries highlight the limited scientific exploration of freshwater ecosystems in Northeast India and reinforce the importance of continued research and conservation efforts in the Brahmaputra basin.