Why in news?
Ichthyologists have described a new species of snakehead fish named Channa bhoi from a small stream in Ri‑Bhoi district of Meghalaya. The discovery, published in December 2025, adds to India’s freshwater diversity and draws attention to the fragile habitats of hill streams.
Background
Snakeheads (family Channidae) are predatory fishes commonly called murrels in India. They breathe air, survive in shallow waters and are important to local fisheries. The newly discovered species was first spotted near Iewmawlong village in a shallow stream surrounded by boulders and dense vegetation. Local researcher Aristone Ryndongsngi and colleagues collected more specimens and confirmed it as a distinct species using morphological traits and DNA barcoding.
Distinctive features
- Appearance: Channa bhoi has a bluish‑grey body covered with rows of black spots that form broken horizontal lines. Its pectoral fins display alternating dark and light bands, giving them a striking pattern.
- Genetic divergence: DNA analysis showed a divergence of 3.3–20 per cent from other species in the Gachua group, confirming that it is new to science.
- Name: The fish is named in honour of the Bhoi people, an indigenous community of Meghalaya, recognising their close relationship with local rivers and forests.
Habitat and conservation
- Ecological niche: The species inhabits shallow, slow‑flowing streams with rocky beds and thick riparian vegetation. Such habitats are often overlooked but support unique assemblages of fish, insects and amphibians.
- Threats: Pollution, unregulated construction and deforestation around hill streams threaten water quality and habitat stability. Increased tourism and quarrying could disrupt the hydrology of these fragile ecosystems.
- Need for protection: Scientists emphasise that safeguarding small streams is as important as conserving larger rivers. Discoveries like Channa bhoi highlight the need to survey and protect the biodiversity hotspots of the northeast.
Significance
- Scientific value: The new species raises the number of known snakeheads in India to twenty‑six, enriching our understanding of evolutionary relationships within the group.
- Local pride: Naming the fish after the Bhoi community fosters a sense of ownership and may encourage community‑led conservation efforts.
- Biodiversity awareness: Highlighting discoveries from small streams draws attention to lesser‑known habitats and the need for sustainable development in these areas.
Conclusion
Channa bhoi is a reminder that many species remain undiscovered in India’s rivers and streams. Protecting the ecological integrity of hill streams will not only preserve unique fishes but also sustain the cultural and economic well‑being of communities that depend on them.
Sources: TME
