Bangladesh J. Fish. (2021) 33(1) : 157-166 https://doi.org/10.52168/bjf.2021.33.18 Review Paper Critically endangered mohashol, Tor tor: Present status and road to conservation in Bangladesh MUHAMMAD SHALAH UDDIN KABIR 1 , MD. RAFIQUL ISLAM SARDER*, MOHAMMAD MATIUR RAHMAN, MD. FAZLUL AWAL MOLLAH AND MOHAMMAD ABU TAHER Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh 1 Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh *Corresponding Author: rafiqulsarder@yahoo.com Abstract: Mohashol, Tor tor is one of the most beautiful indigenous fish of Bangladesh. It is a globally acclaimed sport and table fish and distributed in many South and Southeast Asian countries. In the past Tor tor was reported to be available in some rivers of different parts of Bangladesh, but at present this species is very rarely found only in Someshwari, one of the transboundary rivers of Bangladesh. Illegal fishing practices, soil erosion and siltation, construction of flood control and drainage structures, excessive human intervention on this river for livelihood as well as climate change have been considered as the main causes to degrade the habitat of mohashol. Moreover, unscientific coal mining in Meghalaya has further aggravated the problem. Consequently, T. tor has been red listed as critically endangered fish in Bangladesh. Though few attempts have been made for conservation of T. putitora, the endangered T. tor did not get such due importance. So, it is the prime time to put our heads together to conserve this lucrative, aristocratic and iconic fish and to design an integrated conservation project under a multilateral agreement among the South Asian countries specially India, Bangladesh and Nepal as the initial step in this regard. Keywords: Mohashol, Tor tor, Endangered, Conservation, Someshwari Introduction The critically endangered mohashol (Tor tor), commonly known as tor mahseer or tor barb, is one of the most beautiful endemic cyprinid fishes in Bangladesh. This fish may reach about 36 cm at maturity (Jha et al. 2018), but the maximum length of 200 cm has been recorded (Fishbase 2014). The fish is well armoured by their record large scales, each reaching up to 10 cm (3.9 in) in length (McGrouther 2006). They live in upstream, clear, running waters and often prefer stony, pebbly or rocky bottoms (Ng 2004, Shrestha 1990 and 1997). Mohashol, is distributed in many South and Southeast Asian countries including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Java, Laos, Afghanistan and South China (Rahman 1989, Menon 1992, Roberts 1993, Chen and Yang 2004). In the past, two mohashol species Tor tor and T. putitora were reported to be available in the hilly streams of Sylhet, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Dinajpur and Kaptai reservoir of Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. In the recent past the availability of Tor tor was reported to be limited in the river Someshwari of Netrakona and the Kangsha of Mymensingh district of Bangladesh (Rahman 1989). At present Tor tor is very rarely found only in the Someshwari river of Bangladesh. Mohashol have high demand as food item. They have an attraction to anglers as a sport fish and are potential candidate for aquaculture (Haque et al. 1995, Ingram et al. 2005, Ogale 2002). It is highly sought after as ornamental fish in the aquarium fish industry due to their attractive