MAHSEERS as a World-famous game fish

Mahseer is acclaimed as a world famous outstanding game and food fish of India. As a sport fish, it provides unparalleled recreation to anglers from all over the world, better than salmon. It is known as tiger in waters, because of the fight it musters to wriggle off the hook. Anglers come to the Cauvery River in southern India in search of these mighty mahseer.

In Northern Europe, you have the leaping salmon. In Russia and Mongolia, you have the ferocious taimen. In North America, the inscrutable muskellunge. And in South America, the humongous arapaima. These are some of the biggest and most challenging river fish you can find and international anglers are willing to pay big money to pit wits with them. In parts of South and South-East Asia, there is a large-scaled fish that can match or even surpass the strength and stamina of these fish.

For some, this fish has no equal. Half carp and half barbell, it thrives in the fast currents of rocky rivers, and can shoot up tall rapids and even small waterfalls. When hooked by an angler, it can fight for hours before it succumbs – if the angler is lucky enough not to have his line broken or hook straightened out!

In the past, mahseer formed a substantial natural fishery in the major riverine and lacustrine ecosystems of India. In commercial fisheries it occupies an important position for its good quality. For the fishermen mahseer is of considerable importance because of its large size. As a food fish, it is highly esteemed and fetches the high market price. The mahseer (tor tambroides’ and ‘tor Douronensis), known in Malaysia as ikan kelah - Red Finned Mahseer, Ikan Kelah Merah/ Merah Bara from Pahang/Terengganu and Ikan Kelah Merah Rebung from Kelantan, Semah/ Empurau from Sarawak, Pelian from Sabah, Kelah Hijau/ Kejor/Tengas - Malaysian, Semah/ Garing from Sumatra Indonesia, Blue Thai Mahseer from Thailand, Golden Burmese from Burma. In the Mekong basin lives the Chinese Mahseer (Tor sinensis). 

In India and Myanmar, you have the Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora and Tor tor)are large cyprinids inhabiting the clear, pristine and fast flowing waters of Asia, from the cool waters of Himalayan streams to the tropical rivers of South East Asian jungles. Rapid development in the watersheds within the natural range of many Tor species habitats, particularly the spawning grounds, is increasing pressure and threatening their survival. This has resulted in depletion of natural stocks and consequently some species have become rare, threatened and/or endangered. In view of their conservation value and the aquaculture potential, there are concerted efforts amongst researchers, developers, planners and conservationists and governments all across Asia to enhance the natural populations in rivers and natural water bodies.

Day (1878) believed that mahseer constituted only one species. Hora (1940) confirmed the validity of six different species. A recent critical study on the subject by Menon (1992) confirmed 6 valid species. He has, however, described a new species from the Darna River (Godavari drainage) at Deolali, Nashik District of Maharashtra, and named it Tor kulkarnii, which he describes as a dwarf cognate of Tor khudree. Preserntly seven valid species are recognized for India:

Scientific Name ....................... Common Name

Tor putitora (Ham.) -------------- Golden or putitora mahseer

Tor tor (Ham.) ------------------- Turiya or tor mahseer

Tor khudree (Sykes) -------------- Deccan or khudree mahseer

Tor mussullah (Sykes) ------------ Humpback or mussullah mahseer

Tor kulkarnii ---------------------- Dwarf mahseer

Tor progeneius (McClelland) ------- Jungha of the Assamese

Tor mosal (Sykes) ---------------- Copper or mosal mahseer

In addition to the above, three sub-species, viz., Tor mosal mahanadicus, Tor khudree malabaricus and Tor khudree longispinis are considered by Desai (2002) as valid species, with some reservations. Different species of mahseer occupy different ecosystems ranging from tropical waters where summer temperatures reach 35°C, to sub-Himalayan regions, where the temperatures fall to 6°C. Similarly, they occur in streams hardly above sea level and are also found at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. Jhingran and Sehgal (1978) remarked that the occurrence and distribution of mahseer is controlled by the prevailing water temperature of the streams and not by the altitude.

Mahseers were considered as carnivorous and slow growing and thus unsuitable for fish culture. However, a careful study of the feeding habits of mahseer indicating that it is omnivorous has dispelled the notion that mahseer are carnivorous. Studies on the anatomical adaptations of the alimentary canal system also confirm that mahseer are omnivorous. 

Tripathi (1995) suggested the inclusion of mahseer in polyculture, cage culture and for river ranching and has stated that mahseer would not compete with mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) and the common carp. The importance of mahseers as a World-famous game fish is well known. The group comes in a spectrum of colours from deep burnt copper, through gold, silver, dark black, and inhabit different rivers through out the length and breadth of India, Pakistan, Burma, Bangladesh Srilanka, and even Thailand, (Thomas, 1897). Among the seven different recorded species (viz. Tor putitora, T. mussulah, T.khudree, T mosal, T. progeneius, T. tor and Acrossocheilus hexangonolepis). Tor putitora or golden mahseer is one of the most-sought after species providing the main fishery in the uplands all along the Himalayan belt extending from Kashmir in the north-west to Sadiya in the north-east. 

The fish is also known as Greyhound or the thick-lipped mahseer and has been observed to attain the weight of 70-80 kg. (Misra, 1962). Anglers regard golden mahseer as one of the finest sport-fish and it is a source of recreation to innumerable sportsmen both Indian & Foreigner Thomas, 1897 in his famous book " The Rod in India" stated that pound for pound mahseer is far superior to ‘lordly salmon’ in sporting qualities. To the local fishermen too, mahseers have been of considerable importance because of their large size, hardy texture, high commercial value and longer shelf life.

Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis)

Lyretial anthias are always becomes one of most interesting species in the world because of their colorful patterns and beautiful fins. Even for saltwater fish, lyretail anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) have beautiful colors. Differentiating between the sexes can be important for fish kept in the confines of an aquarium, because these fish are very aggressive.

The Lyretail anthias is known under many different names, such as Squami Anthias, Pink Anthias, Scalefin Anthias, and Jewel Anthias. Lyretail anthias or Orange lyretail anthias are however the most commonly used names for this species. It is one of the largest anthias and it is also one the hardiest and most readily available species. You should usually be able to get a hold of this fish without too much trouble. It is a good choice if you want to try keeping anthias.

Scientific Name       :   Pseudanthias squamipinnis

Family                      :  Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)

Size                           :     6 inches

Temperature          : 74 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit

Origin                       : Indian Ocean and Western Pacific Ocean

Lyretial anthias is a marine aquarium fish native to Indo-west pacific. Most interesting feature about lyretail anthias is all the fishes in the species born as females and will change to male upon growing. The color of this species also changes in growing stage.

The Lyretail Anthias is the social butterfly of marine aquariums. This eye-catching fish is incredibly active and helps draw out shier fish that share the aquarium. The Lyretail Anthias is also known as the Scalefin and the males have bright red coloration of varying hues while the female Lyretail Anthias tends to be more orange in coloration.

The Lyretail Anthias does best when kept in a group and housed in a species-specific aquarium of at least 125 gallons in size. Male Lyretail Anthias are best kept alone or with several females. Though the Lyretail Anthias generally occupy the middle of the aquarium, it appreciates the availability of several hiding places.

The lyretail anthias is unlike many other anthias species easy to care for and can be recommended to beginners that have an aquarium large enough to house them. They need large aquariums despite their small size as they have a semi-pelagic lifestyle and swim a lot.

Anthias species all share the trait of being hermaphroditic. If a dominant male perishes, the largest female of the group will often develop into a male to take his place.

Battle of the Sexes

All anthias start life as females. The largest, most dominant female in the school becomes a male. Large schools, with one male and many females, live as harems on reefs. Males will drive off any other males, and females will create a pecking order by beating up subordinates. Due to this aggression, it can be very difficult to keep more than one in captivity, except in very large tanks with one male and multiple females.

Size

You can differentiate between the sexes by size. Males grow larger than females. Females usually top out at around 2.75 inches, while males may reach half a foot in length. However, a female can become male in the absence of other males, so fish of intermediate size could be females in the process of becoming male.

Coloration

Lyretail anthias live over a very large area. Because of this, many color variants exist. Females can range from yellow to orange to reddish. For this reason, lyretail anthias are also called "sea goldies" in parts of their range. Males always have a more purplish color than females. Additionally, males have a reddish patch on their pectoral (side) fins. This reddish blotch is never present on female lyretail anthias.

Finnage

Males and females also have different fins. On males, the fins are longer. Also, the top and bottom spine on the male's caudal (tail) fin extend, trailing behind the fin. Additionally, the third spine of the dorsal (back) fin extends upward on the male. This spine looks almost flaglike. In general, if a lyretail anthia has any rays extending off its fins, it is probably a male.

Lyretail Anthias care and aquarium setup

A 50 gallon/200 l tank is enough if you want to keep a single lyretail anthias. If you want to keep a group with one male and several females you should consider a larger aquarium. I recommend one no smaller than 100gallon 400(350)L. If you want to keep several lyretail anthias male you will need an even larger aquarium. I don't recommend trying this in an aquarium smaller than 250 gallons / 1000L.

The lyretail anthias lives above coral reefs in the wild and your aquarium need to mimic the conditions they faces in the wild. This includes rapid current, hiding places and open water. 

To provide them with a suitable environment you should make sure that the aquarium has strong circulation with a few calmer areas where tired lyretail anthias can rest. The aquarium should contain a lot of caves among live rocks. Try to provide them with a couple of large overhang where they can rest when they want to come out of the light. Feel free to include corals in the decoration. Make sure that you leave plenty of open space for your lyretail anthias to swim on when you decorate the aquarium. They prefer a not too brightly lit aquarium.

Ideal conditions for the lyretail anthias is pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025 and temperature 72-78ºF (22°C - 26°C)

Feeding Lyretail Anthias

Giving your lyretail anthias a proper diet and enough food are two of the most important aspects of keeping this species. They feed on plankton in the wild and in aquariums you need to give them a varied diet. They might or might not accept flake food. They have very small mouths and need to be fed small food. Suitable food can for instance be mysid shrimps, vitamin enriched brine shrimp, and finely chopped sea food. You should feed your lyretail anthias at least 3 times a day. Feeding them color enhancing food can help make sure that they don't loose their color.

Breeding Lyretail Anthias

Sexing lyretail anthias is easy: the males are more colorful than the yellow females. The male also has a very elongated dorsal spine while females don't.

The lyretail anthias is a protogynous hermaphroditic species. This means that all lyretail anthias are born as females and only develop into males if there is a shortage of males. If the male fall prey to a predator the dominant female turns into a male in a couple of weeks. Once they have turned into males they can not turn back. If you buy a group of juveniles you will end up with a harem.

No one has as far as we know successfully bred lyretail anthias in aquariums.