What’s the news ?

• The Sikkim government has declared ‘Copper Mahseer’ locally named ‘Katley’ as the State fish.
• The fish has high market value and is highly preferred by the public in the State.
• The Sikkim government has also declared the reservoirs of the State to be open for fishing activities.
• The reservoirs are in Chungthang in North Sikkim, Legshep in West Sikkim along with Dikchu and Rorathang in East Sikkim.

About the Species

• The “Katley” Fish is also known as Neolissochilus hexagonolepis or Copper Mahseer.
• Katley is found in varied altitudes covering the entire state predominantly confined in Teesta and Rangit rivers and their tributaries.
• They are found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Bhutan, Pakistan and Vietnam. 
• It can grow up to around 120 centimetres and can weigh over 10 kilograms. 
• The fish is categorized as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN.

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/sikkim-declares-katley-as-state-fish/article36547120.ece
2. https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/everything-you-need-to-know-about-katley-the-newly-announced-state-fish-of-sikkim-549766.html