India does not have a separately designated state aquatic animal for every state and Union Territory. Many have designated a State Fish, while some have designated an aquatic mammal or another marine species. Several have not officially designated any aquatic species.
The following is the working list based on the NFDB compendium and its subsequent published state-wise compilation. Scientific names are included for identification.
Officially designated aquatic species:
Andhra Pradesh – Striped Murrel (Channa striata)
DESCRIPTION: A robust freshwater fish with an elongated body, broad head and distinctive dark stripes. It can breathe atmospheric air.
HABITAT: Freshwater ponds, lakes, reservoirs, marshes and slow-moving rivers.
SIGNIFICANCE: An important indigenous food fish, valued for its nutritional qualities and commercial importance in Andhra Pradesh’s inland fisheries.
Arunachal Pradesh – Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora)
DESCRIPTION: A large freshwater carp recognised by its golden scales, powerful body and prominent barbels.
HABITAT: Clear, fast-flowing Himalayan rivers and streams, particularly rocky stretches with well-oxygenated water.
SIGNIFICANCE: An iconic Himalayan fish, it represents the state’s rich riverine biodiversity and highlights the importance of conserving mountain streams.
Assam – Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica)
DESCRIPTION: A freshwater dolphin with a long, slender snout, small eyes and a flexible neck. It navigates and hunts using echolocation because its eyesight is extremely poor.
HABITAT: The Brahmaputra River and its tributaries, particularly deep river channels and areas with adequate freshwater flow.
SIGNIFICANCE: Designated Assam’s State Aquatic Animal, it represents the ecological importance of the Brahmaputra river system and highlights the need to conserve freshwater habitats.
Bihar – Indian Walking Catfish (Magur) (Clarias magur)
DESCRIPTION: A scaleless freshwater catfish with a flattened head, long barbels and specialised respiratory organs that help it survive in oxygen-poor water.
HABITAT: Ponds, marshes, wetlands, swamps and slow-moving freshwater bodies.
SIGNIFICANCE: An important indigenous food fish, it has traditional culinary and commercial value. Its designation also highlights the need to conserve native freshwater fish populations.
Chhattisgarh – No Officially Designated Aquatic Species
Goa – Striped Grey Mullet (Mugil cephalus)
DESCRIPTION: A streamlined, silvery marine fish with a blunt head and small mouth, commonly found swimming in schools.
HABITAT: Coastal waters, estuaries, lagoons and brackish-water environments.
SIGNIFICANCE: It represents Goa’s coastal fishing heritage and the importance of its estuarine ecosystems, which support traditional fisheries and local livelihoods.
Gujarat – Blackspotted Croaker (Protonibea diacanthus)
DESCRIPTION: A large marine fish belonging to the croaker family, characterised by a robust body and specialised sound-producing structures.
HABITAT: Coastal marine waters and estuarine areas, generally over sandy or muddy seabeds.
SIGNIFICANCE: Its designation recognises Gujarat’s extensive coastline and the economic importance of marine fisheries to the state.
Haryana – Orangefin Labeo (Labeo calbasu)
DESCRIPTION: A freshwater carp with a relatively deep body, dark scales and distinctive orange or reddish fins.
HABITAT: Rivers, reservoirs, ponds and other freshwater habitats.
SIGNIFICANCE: It represents Haryana’s inland fisheries and the importance of conserving indigenous freshwater fish species.
Himachal Pradesh – Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora)
DESCRIPTION: A large freshwater carp with golden scales, a powerful body and prominent barbels around its mouth. It is also renowned as a sport fish.
HABITAT: Himalayan rivers and streams, particularly clear, oxygen-rich waters with rocky beds.
SIGNIFICANCE: An iconic Himalayan freshwater species, it represents the ecological richness of Himachal Pradesh’s mountain rivers and the importance of conserving their natural habitats.
Jharkhand – No Officially Designated Aquatic Species
Karnataka – Carnatic Carp (Hypselobarbus carnaticus)
DESCRIPTION: An indigenous freshwater carp with an elongated body, prominent scales and barbels around its mouth.
HABITAT: Rivers and streams, particularly those associated with the Western Ghats and adjoining freshwater systems.
SIGNIFICANCE: Its designation highlights Karnataka’s unique freshwater fish diversity and the importance of protecting its river ecosystems.
Kerala – Pearlspot (Etroplus suratensis)
DESCRIPTION: A laterally compressed fish with a silvery-green body, dark vertical bands and distinctive pearl-like spots.
HABITAT: Backwaters, lagoons, estuaries and freshwater bodies, particularly the Vembanad Lake system.
SIGNIFICANCE: Popularly known as Karimeen, it is deeply associated with Kerala’s cuisine, traditional fishing practices and backwater economy.
Madhya Pradesh – Narmada Mahseer (Tor tor)
DESCRIPTION: A large freshwater carp with a powerful body, prominent scales and barbels around its mouth.
HABITAT: Rivers and tributaries, particularly the Narmada river system.
SIGNIFICANCE: It represents the freshwater biodiversity of the Narmada and highlights the importance of conserving one of central India’s major river ecosystems.
Maharashtra – Silver Pomfret (Pampus argenteus)
DESCRIPTION: A distinctive marine fish with a flattened, almost diamond-shaped silvery body, small mouth and deeply forked tail.
HABITAT: Coastal marine waters, generally over sandy and muddy seabeds.
SIGNIFICANCE: An economically important marine fish, it represents Maharashtra’s coastal fishing heritage and the importance of marine fisheries to the state’s economy.
Manipur – Pengba (Osteobrama belangeri)
DESCRIPTION: An indigenous freshwater fish with a laterally compressed body and silvery scales.
HABITAT: Freshwater rivers, wetlands and lakes, particularly Loktak Lake and its associated water systems.
SIGNIFICANCE: Pengba has considerable cultural and culinary importance in Manipur. It is closely associated with the state’s freshwater heritage and traditional food culture.
Meghalaya – No Officially Designated Aquatic Species
Mizoram – Burmese Kingfish (Semiplotus modestus)
DESCRIPTION: An indigenous freshwater cyprinid with a streamlined body and characteristic fish scales.
HABITAT: Freshwater rivers and streams of the northeastern hill region.
SIGNIFICANCE: Its designation highlights Mizoram’s distinctive freshwater biodiversity and the importance of conserving its river systems and indigenous fish populations.
Nagaland – Chocolate Mahseer (Neolissochilus hexagonolepis)
DESCRIPTION: A robust freshwater carp with large scales and characteristic brownish or chocolate-coloured markings.
HABITAT: Clear, flowing hill streams and rivers, particularly in the northeastern hill region.
SIGNIFICANCE: It represents the freshwater wealth of Nagaland and highlights the importance of conserving clean mountain streams and indigenous fish species.
Odisha – Mahanadi Mahseer (Tor mosal mahanadicus)
DESCRIPTION: A large freshwater mahseer belonging to the carp family, recognised for its powerful body and prominent scales.
HABITAT: Rivers and tributaries of the Mahanadi basin.
SIGNIFICANCE: Its designation celebrates Odisha’s association with the Mahanadi river system and highlights the importance of conserving indigenous freshwater fish and river habitats.
Punjab – Indus River Dolphin (Platanista minor)
DESCRIPTION: A rare freshwater dolphin with a long, slender snout, small eyes and a flexible neck. It relies on echolocation to navigate underwater.
HABITAT: Freshwater river channels of the Indus system, particularly deep stretches with suitable water flow.
SIGNIFICANCE: Its designation highlights the importance of conserving the Indus river ecosystem and protecting one of the world’s rarest freshwater dolphins.
Rajasthan – No Officially Designated Aquatic Species
Sikkim – Chocolate Mahseer (Neolissochilus hexagonolepis)
DESCRIPTION: A freshwater carp with a sturdy body, large scales and characteristic chocolate-brown coloration.
HABITAT: Clear mountain streams and rivers, particularly well-oxygenated waters of the Himalayan region.
SIGNIFICANCE: It represents the freshwater biodiversity of Sikkim’s Himalayan river systems and highlights the importance of protecting mountain aquatic habitats.
Tamil Nadu – No Officially Designated Aquatic Species
Telangana – Striped Murrel (Channa striata)
DESCRIPTION: A robust freshwater fish with an elongated body, broad head and distinctive dark stripes. It can breathe atmospheric air.
HABITAT: Ponds, lakes, reservoirs, marshes and slow-moving rivers.
SIGNIFICANCE: An important indigenous food fish, it contributes to Telangana’s inland fisheries and traditional food culture.
Tripura – Indian Butter Catfish (Pabda) (Ompok bimaculatus)
DESCRIPTION: A smooth-skinned freshwater catfish with an elongated body, flattened head and prominent barbels.
HABITAT: Rivers, ponds, lakes, wetlands and slow-moving freshwater channels.
SIGNIFICANCE: Popularly known as Pabda, it is valued as a food fish and represents Tripura’s indigenous freshwater biodiversity and traditional fisheries.
Uttar Pradesh – Indian Featherback (Chital) (Chitala chitala)
DESCRIPTION: A distinctive freshwater fish with a long, laterally compressed body, undulating anal fin and a series of dark spots near its tail.
HABITAT: Large rivers, floodplain lakes, wetlands and slow-moving freshwater systems.
SIGNIFICANCE: Its designation as the State Fish recognises Uttar Pradesh’s indigenous freshwater fish diversity and the importance of conserving its riverine ecosystems.
Also designated: Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica)
DESCRIPTION: An endangered freshwater dolphin with a long, slender snout, small eyes and specialised echolocation abilities.
HABITAT: The Ganga River and its tributaries.
SIGNIFICANCE: Its designation as the State Aquatic Animal highlights the need to conserve the Ganga river ecosystem and protect its endangered aquatic wildlife.
Uttarakhand – Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora)
DESCRIPTION: A large golden-coloured freshwater carp with a powerful body, prominent scales and barbels around its mouth.
HABITAT: Clear, fast-flowing Himalayan rivers and streams, particularly rocky and well-oxygenated stretches.
SIGNIFICANCE: An iconic fish of Himalayan rivers, it represents Uttarakhand’s rich aquatic biodiversity and the importance of protecting mountain waterways.
West Bengal – Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha)
DESCRIPTION: A silvery, laterally compressed migratory fish with a distinctive flavour and numerous fine bones.
HABITAT: Coastal waters, estuaries and rivers. It migrates from the sea into freshwater rivers for spawning.
SIGNIFICANCE: Hilsa is deeply embedded in Bengali culture, cuisine and fishing traditions, making it an important symbol of the state’s aquatic heritage.
Union Territories
Andaman and Nicobar Islands – Dugong (Sea Cow) (Dugong dugon)
DESCRIPTION: A large, gentle marine mammal popularly known as the Sea Cow. It has a rounded body, paddle-like flippers and a distinctive fluked tail.
HABITAT: Shallow coastal waters, seagrass meadows, lagoons and sheltered bays.
SIGNIFICANCE: Its designation highlights the exceptional marine biodiversity of the islands and the importance of protecting seagrass ecosystems.
Chandigarh – No Officially Designated Aquatic Species
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu – No Officially Designated Aquatic Species
Delhi – No Officially Designated Aquatic Species
Jammu and Kashmir – Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora)
DESCRIPTION: A large freshwater carp with golden scales, a powerful body and prominent barbels.
HABITAT: Himalayan rivers and streams, particularly clear, well-oxygenated waters with rocky beds.
SIGNIFICANCE: It represents the region’s Himalayan freshwater heritage and highlights the importance of conserving its rivers and streams.
Ladakh – No Officially Designated Aquatic Species
Lakshadweep – Threadfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)
DESCRIPTION: A colourful reef fish with a flattened body, yellow markings, a dark eye band and a distinctive thread-like extension of its dorsal fin.
HABITAT: Coral reefs and shallow tropical marine waters.
SIGNIFICANCE: Its designation represents Lakshadweep’s spectacular coral reef biodiversity and the importance of protecting its marine ecosystems.
Puducherry – No Officially Designated Aquatic Species
Editorial note: The entries marked “No Officially Designated Aquatic Species” reflect the NFDB 2024 compendium and should be checked against subsequent government notifications. Scientific names and designations should also be verified before publication, particularly where taxonomic updates may have occurred.
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