Western Ghats fish diversity

            The freshwater fishes in Western Ghats region lists 318 species of which 42.8% (136 species) are endemic to the region. Of this about 27 species are critically endangered and 55 endangered while 128 are data deficient. Altogether, 39.1% (123 species) of the freshwater fishes come under the category of critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable.

Of the 27 critically endangered species 24 are endemic to the region. Similarly, of the 55 endangered species, 37 are endemic. Yet 49 endemic species are data deficient. Some important indigenous fishes of western Ghats region of india are listed here,