Overview

• The species was formally classified as Pethia dibrugarhensis in the Cyprinidae family and published in National Academy Science Letters on July 7–8, 2025.
• Its distinctive features include an incomplete lateral line, a black spot near the tail, ten scales around the caudal peduncle and the absence of barbels.
• The discovery came after long-term aquatic biodiversity surveys conducted by ICAR-CIFRI, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Manipur University in Brahmaputra floodplain wetlands.
• Initial reports misidentified the fish as Badis dibruensis of the Badidae family before taxonomic reviews confirmed its placement in Cyprinidae.
• The research team has appealed to Assam’s government to declare the area where the fish was found a protected conservation zone to preserve its unique biodiversity.