Rare fish Schizopygopsis waddellii spotted in natural lake of Twang in Arunachal

By  News On Air   Sep 11, 2026

Scientists from ICAR-Central Institute of Coldwater Fisheries Research, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and the Shar-Tso Committee, have recorded Schizopygopsis waddellii, a rare fish species for the first time from a natural lake in Tawang, at around 12,800 feet above sea level. Sharing the news in a social media post, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said that the finding adds to India’s freshwater biodiversity and expands the known range of this rare Himalayan fish, previously recorded from the Tibetan and China Plateau. He stressed that discoveries like this reminds us of how much needs to be explored and understood in Arunachal Pradesh’s rich natural heritage, and why continued research and conservation of these fragile ecosystems are so important. Mein has extended his appreciation to the scientists, Fisheries Department and the Shar-Tso Committee for their efforts in documenting the unique biodiversity of high-altitude ecosystems.