CR

Wayanad Mahseer

Barbodes wynaadensis

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Barbodes wynaadensis faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and dam construction in the Western Ghats river systems. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and domestic waste has significantly impacted water quality in its native streams. The species' restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes, with several historical populations now considered extirpated.

Threat summary

Habitat

This freshwater fish is endemic to the hill streams and rivers of the Western Ghats in Kerala and Karnataka, India. It inhabits clear, fast-flowing waters with rocky substrates in montane forest catchments at elevations between 500-1200 meters.

Rocky areas· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Wayanad Mahseer classified as Critically Endangered?
Wayanad Mahseer is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Barbodes wynaadensis faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and dam construction in the Western Ghats river systems. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and domestic waste has significantly impacted water quality in its native streams. The species' restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes, with several historical populations now considered extirpated.
Where does Wayanad Mahseer live?
Wayanad Mahseer occurs in India. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Wayanad Mahseer?
The main threats to Wayanad Mahseer are 1.1, 3.2, 4.1, and 5.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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