Schizopygopsis waddellii Recorded in India

Why in News?

Scientists have recorded Schizopygopsis waddellii, a rare high-altitude Himalayan fish, in India for the first time. The fish was recorded from Pangkang Teng Tso Lake in Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh, at an altitude of about 12,800 feet. The specimens were collected in July 2026 and subsequently confirmed through laboratory analysis. The finding expands the known geographical range of the species and adds to India’s freshwater fish diversity.

About Schizopygopsis waddellii

Schizopygopsis waddellii is a cold-adapted freshwater fish belonging to the Cyprinidae family. The species is commonly associated with high-altitude freshwater ecosystems of the Tibetan and Chinese plateaus. Its previously known distribution included Yamdrok (Yam Dok) Lake in Tibet, which is considered its type locality. The fish is adapted to the harsh environmental conditions found in high-elevation aquatic ecosystems.

Key Characteristics

The species has an elongated, cylindrical body and a dark greyish or olive upper surface. Its underside is lighter and silvery to creamy-white. It also possesses a complete lateral line, a blunt snout, and a deeply forked caudal fin.

Pangkang Teng Tso Lake

Pangkang Teng Tso Lake is a natural high-altitude lake in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Located close to the India-China border, the lake forms part of the fragile Eastern Himalayan freshwater ecosystem. Its high elevation and extreme climatic conditions make it an important habitat for specialised coldwater species.

Identification and Research

Researchers from the ICAR-Central Institute of Coldwater Fisheries Research (ICAR-CICFR), Bhimtal, collected 10 specimens from the lake. The research was conducted in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh Department of Fisheries and the Shar-Tso Committee of Tawang. Scientists used an integrative taxonomic approach to confirm the species. This approach combined:

• Detailed morphological examination
• Molecular analysis
• Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) evidence

The combination of morphological and molecular evidence provided confirmation of the first Indian record.

Significance of the Finding

The discovery highlights the largely unexplored freshwater biodiversity of high-altitude Arunachal Pradesh. It can provide a baseline for future biodiversity surveys, ecological studies, and conservation planning in Himalayan lakes. It also demonstrates the importance of systematic taxonomic research in remote freshwater ecosystems.

Schizopygopsis waddellii: Important Facts