---

A previously unknown freshwater fish species, Garra nambashiensis, has been described from the Taretlok River, a tributary of the Chindwin River near Nambashi Valley in Kamjong district, Manipur. The species description — published in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa — was authored by a team of researchers from the region and adds another member to the rich and rapidly expanding roster of Garra species in Northeast India.

---

---

Who discovered Garra nambashiensis and where was it found?

The species was formally described in Zootaxa by a regional research team led by authors including Kongbrailatpam Babyrani Devi, Thonbamliu Abonmai, K.H. Rajmani Singh and Bungdon Shangningam (paper published 11 September 2025). The type locality is the Taretlok River, which flows close to Nambashi Valley in Manipur’s Kamjong district, an area bordering Myanmar and part of the Chindwin river system. Fieldwork and specimen collection in such remote catchments often require patience, local knowledge and careful seasonal timing to sample fishes in clear riffles and pools.

---

---

---

FAQs

Q1: Where exactly was Garra nambashiensis found and who described it?
A1: Garra nambashiensis was described from the Taretlok River, a tributary of the Chindwin River near Nambashi Valley in Kamjong district, Manipur. The species description was published in Zootaxa on 11 September 2025 by a team including Kongbrailatpam Babyrani Devi, Thonbamliu Abonmai, K.H. Rajmani Singh and Bungdon Shangningam.

Q2: How can scientists be sure this is a new species and not a variant of an existing Garra?
A2: Taxonomists compare a wide set of characters — body proportions, fin-ray and scale counts (meristics), distinctive structures like the shape and tubercles of the proboscis, and colour patterns. A new species diagnosis rests on a unique combination of such characters that is not found in known species. The comparison is documented in the peer-reviewed paper, allowing other specialists to validate or challenge the conclusion.

Q3: Are Garra fishes dangerous or commercially valuable?
A3: No — Garra are small, non-venomous freshwater fishes adapted to stream life and not dangerous to humans. Some Garra species are locally fished for food, and certain species are also kept in aquaria (some as “algae grazers”), but most are ecologically significant rather than economically valuable on a large scale. Their value lies in the health of freshwater ecosystems

Q4: What threats could endanger this newly described species?
A4: Like many stream specialists, it could be vulnerable to habitat alteration (damming, road-induced siltation), pollution, reduced stream flow due to water extraction, and land-use change that increases sediment load. Because it is currently known from a small area, localized impacts could have outsized effects. Rapid follow-up surveys and habitat protection are prudent next steps.

Q5: How can local communities help protect Garra nambashiensis and other stream life?
A5: Communities can help by maintaining riparian vegetation (to reduce erosion), preventing direct pollution inputs to streams, reporting unusual kills or changes to water clarity, avoiding destructive practices in riffle zones, and participating in community monitoring programs. Scientists also value local ecological knowledge — fishers and villagers often know where aquatic species occur seasonally and can be powerful partners in conservation.