Pethia dibrugarhensis | 10 Jul 2025

Source: CIFRI 

Researchers from ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI) have discovered a new cyprinid fish species, Pethia dibrugarhensis, in the Brahmaputra River.  

• It is named after the Dibrugarh district of Assam, where it was first identified. 

Pethia dibrugarhensis 

• Taxonomy: It belongs to the family Cyprinidae, (which also includes carps and minnows) commonly known as barbs, which are small to medium-sized freshwater fishes native to Asia, Europe, and Africa.  
  • Though it lacks typical barbels, the species is classified as a barb due to its defining morphological features. 
• Habitat: Found in moderately fast-flowing waters with muddy-sandy-stony substrate, these coexist with indigenous freshwater species. 
• Key Features: Characterized by an incomplete lateral line, black blotch near caudal peduncle, and absence of humeral mark and barbels. 

ICAR-CIFRI 

• It is a premier research institution under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), established in 1947, dedicated to the sustainable management of inland open water fisheries in India.  
• It is headquartered at Barrackpore, West Bengal, and plays a key role in promoting fish production, aquatic biodiversity conservation, and livelihood generation.  

Brahmaputra River 

• Brahmaputra originates from the Chemayungdung Glacier near Mansarovar Lake (Tibet), known as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet and Siang/Dihang in Arunachal Pradesh.  
  • It flows through Tibet (China), India, and Bangladesh. 
• Major tributaries include Lohit, Dibang, Subansiri, Jiabharali, Dhansiri, Manas, Torsa, Sankosh, Teesta, Dikhow, Dhansiri and Kopili. 
• Majuli in Assam is the world’s largest river island.