236
in a number of characters. Tilak (1970) differentiated it from P. sophore in various body proportions, dorsal spine, number of lateral line and
other scales, pharyngeal teeth, size and colouration. P. guganio is a larger species, measuring
8.0 cm.
5. Puntius chelynoides (McClellannd, 1839)
Barbus chilinoides McClelland, 1839. Asiat.
Res ., 19(2): 271, 340, pl. 57, fi g. 5 (type locality: Simla hills).
Tor chelynoides Husain, 2003 . Faun. Asan
Wetland, Wetland Ecosystem Series 5 : 23–26
(Asan River below its barrage).
English Name
Dark Mahseer.
Local Names
Kali Machhi, Kali Mahseer, Karanchula, Telan
Mahseer.
Localities Surveyed
Asan River below its barrage.
Tons nadi at villages Chandrauti and Bijapur;
Bhitarli nadi at village Khera near Jaspur;
Kiarkuli nadi, village Jaspur.
Diagnostic Characters
D. 3–4/8, P. 1/15–16, V. 1/8, A. 3/5, C. 18–19
(9–10/9 or 9/1/9). L.l. 32–35.
Head short, slightly depressed; snout smooth
and without tubercles, mouth subterminal, lips
fl eshy, continuous at corners; barbels two pairs,
longer than the eye diameter. Colour dark on the
back, silvery below, margins of scales darkened
with numerous fi ne dots, fi ns reddish.
Maximum Size
66.0 cm. 76.2 cm (Day 1878 ).
Distribution
Uttarakhand
Garhwal Division: Chamoli, Dehradun, Pauri,
Tehri and Uttarkashi districts; Kumaon Division:
Almora, Nainital and Pithoragarh districts.
Corbett Tiger Reserve and Rajaji National Park.
India
All along the Himalayas.
Elsewhere
Nepal.
Habitat and Ecology
Inhabits fast-fl owing mountain streams. Feeds on
diatoms, algae and insects; breeding begins from
June.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List, vulnerable.
Remarks
The generic status of Puntius chelynoides is
under debate. Talwar and Jhingran ( 1991 ) have
considered this species as Tor chelynoides , while
Jayaram ( 1999 ) and Menon ( 1999 ) have considered it as Naziritor chelynoides.
One of the largest growing fi shes of the area
and is highly esteemed as food by local people. It
is often captured in less numbers, being found in
the interior of the hills. It is also an important
game fi sh.
6. Puntius chola (Hamilton, 1822)
Cyprinus ( Puntius ) chola Hamilton, 1822. Fish
Ganges : 312–313, 389 (type locality: ponds
and stagnant waters in northeastern parts of
Bengal).
Puntius chola Husain, 2003 . Faun. Asan Wetland,
Wetland Ecosystem Series 5 : 23–26 (Asan
River above Kunja Grant).
English Names
Chola Barb, Green Barb, Swamp Barb.
Local Names
Phuti, Ticker, Chidhu.
Localities Surveyed
Asan River above Kunja Grant and below its barrage at Dhalipur, Herbertpur, Partitpur and
Bairagiwala near Herbertpur and Jhajra.
Diagnostic Characters
D. 3/8, P. 1/14, V. 1/8, A. 2/5, C. 19, L.l. 24–29.
A. Husain
in a number of characters. Tilak (1970) differentiated it from P. sophore in various body proportions, dorsal spine, number of lateral line and
other scales, pharyngeal teeth, size and colouration. P. guganio is a larger species, measuring
8.0 cm.
5. Puntius chelynoides (McClellannd, 1839)
Barbus chilinoides McClelland, 1839. Asiat.
Res ., 19(2): 271, 340, pl. 57, fi g. 5 (type locality: Simla hills).
Tor chelynoides Husain, 2003 . Faun. Asan
Wetland, Wetland Ecosystem Series 5 : 23–26
(Asan River below its barrage).
English Name
Dark Mahseer.
Local Names
Kali Machhi, Kali Mahseer, Karanchula, Telan
Mahseer.
Localities Surveyed
Asan River below its barrage.
Tons nadi at villages Chandrauti and Bijapur;
Bhitarli nadi at village Khera near Jaspur;
Kiarkuli nadi, village Jaspur.
Diagnostic Characters
D. 3–4/8, P. 1/15–16, V. 1/8, A. 3/5, C. 18–19
(9–10/9 or 9/1/9). L.l. 32–35.
Head short, slightly depressed; snout smooth
and without tubercles, mouth subterminal, lips
fl eshy, continuous at corners; barbels two pairs,
longer than the eye diameter. Colour dark on the
back, silvery below, margins of scales darkened
with numerous fi ne dots, fi ns reddish.
Maximum Size
66.0 cm. 76.2 cm (Day 1878 ).
Distribution
Uttarakhand
Garhwal Division: Chamoli, Dehradun, Pauri,
Tehri and Uttarkashi districts; Kumaon Division:
Almora, Nainital and Pithoragarh districts.
Corbett Tiger Reserve and Rajaji National Park.
India
All along the Himalayas.
Elsewhere
Nepal.
Habitat and Ecology
Inhabits fast-fl owing mountain streams. Feeds on
diatoms, algae and insects; breeding begins from
June.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List, vulnerable.
Remarks
The generic status of Puntius chelynoides is
under debate. Talwar and Jhingran ( 1991 ) have
considered this species as Tor chelynoides , while
Jayaram ( 1999 ) and Menon ( 1999 ) have considered it as Naziritor chelynoides.
One of the largest growing fi shes of the area
and is highly esteemed as food by local people. It
is often captured in less numbers, being found in
the interior of the hills. It is also an important
game fi sh.
6. Puntius chola (Hamilton, 1822)
Cyprinus ( Puntius ) chola Hamilton, 1822. Fish
Ganges : 312–313, 389 (type locality: ponds
and stagnant waters in northeastern parts of
Bengal).
Puntius chola Husain, 2003 . Faun. Asan Wetland,
Wetland Ecosystem Series 5 : 23–26 (Asan
River above Kunja Grant).
English Names
Chola Barb, Green Barb, Swamp Barb.
Local Names
Phuti, Ticker, Chidhu.
Localities Surveyed
Asan River above Kunja Grant and below its barrage at Dhalipur, Herbertpur, Partitpur and
Bairagiwala near Herbertpur and Jhajra.
Diagnostic Characters
D. 3/8, P. 1/14, V. 1/8, A. 2/5, C. 19, L.l. 24–29.
A. Husain