Glyptosternon akhtari

The <em>Glyptosternon akhtari</em> is a freshwater fish in the family Sisoridae, the torrent catfishes — a group of specialised catfishes adapted to life in fast-flowing, oxygen-rich mountain streams across South and Southeast Asia. Sisorids are characterised by a flattened, streamlined body, adhesive thoracic structures formed by elaborated skin folds on the underside, and strongly developed pectoral and pelvic fins that help the fish maintain position against powerful currents on rocky substrates. The genus <em>Glyptosternon</em> is distributed across river systems of the Himalayan foothills, Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asian highlands, where it inhabits boulder-strewn riverbeds at moderate to high elevations. Details of habitat and range for this species remain limited in the ichthyological literature; neither body size nor depth range data are currently available for <em>Glyptosternon akhtari</em>. The species epithet akhtari honours an individual — a common practice in the taxonomy of South Asian catfishes. Torrent catfishes in this genus are typically omnivorous, grazing on periphyton, biofilm, and benthic invertebrates. They are sensitive to habitat disturbance, and many Glyptosternon species face pressure from dam construction, sedimentation, and deforestation affecting the mountain stream habitats on which they depend.