New freshwater catfish species identified in Manipur’s Chandel district

Imphal – A team from the Department of Zoology at Dhanamanjuri University announced the discovery of a new freshwater catfish species in the Bupal stream of the Dujang River, which joins the Chakpi River within the Chindwin River system along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur’s Chandel district. Specimens were collected on January 2, 2026 during a systematic survey, and the findings were published online on October 30, 2026 in the Journal of Natural History.

Identification and taxonomy

Northeast Now reported that the species has been named Exostoma nasibarbatum and placed in the Sisoridae family. The description notes an “unusually elongated nasal barbel that extends beyond the rear edge of the eye” as the most striking feature. Additional diagnostic characters include the shape of the adipose fin, distinct lip patterns and specific body and fin proportions. The scientific epithet combines the Latin nasus (nose) and barba (beard) to reflect the elongated barbel. The discovery adds to the 39 fish species previously associated with assistant professor Dr. Bungdon Shangningam, who also identified two species in 2025 – the rheophilic catfish Glyptothorax ahangkyensis from the Ahangky River in Kangpokpi district and Garra nambashiensis from the Nambashi Valley.

Habitat and ecological context

According to the research paper, Exostoma nasibarbatum inhabits fast-flowing freshwater streams characterized by turbulent currents, boulders and rocky riverbeds. The collected specimens were found in water temperatures ranging between 12 and 14 °C. The study highlighted the role of surrounding riparian forests in maintaining water quality, regulating stream temperatures and supporting aquatic biodiversity. At present, the catfish has been recorded only from its type locality in the Bupal stream.

Significance and future research

The authors emphasized that the find underscores the considerable but relatively unexplored freshwater biodiversity of the Chindwin River drainage in Manipur. They suggested that several remote and difficult-to-access streams across the region could harbour additional undocumented species. The research team called for more extensive field surveys, detailed ecological assessments and molecular studies to improve understanding of the area’s aquatic fauna and evolutionary history. The discovery adds a notable entry to the scientific documentation of freshwater biodiversity in Chandel district and reinforces the ecological importance of protecting the district’s river systems, streams and adjacent forest habitats.