World's most iconic freshwater Indian fish on the brink of extinction: study

Four of these species are already listed as 'Endangered' on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)Red List.The research suggests that the introduction of non-native Mahseer has acted as the catalyst which has had a catastrophic effect on the numbers of endemic Mahseer remaining in the Cauvery river and its tributaries. "In 2010 I made my first trip to the River Cauvery, where I realised the fish I was catching did not match the appearance of the iconic specimens I'd seen in historic photos," Pinder said.