Description of Fish Species

Description of Fish Species

2. DESSCRIPTION OF FISH SPECIES 2.1. Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794) Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Sub phylum Vertebrata Super class Gnathostomata Class Osteichthyes Order Siluriformes Family Heteropneustidae Genus Heteropneustes Species fossilis Heteropneustes fossilis 17

Common names Heteropneustes fossilis is commonly known as stinging catfish, singhee, sheenee, singhi, bitchu, talia, lahoord, nullie, ingilayee, marpu, thaylee, thalimeen, seruva and sinimeen (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991) in different parts of the country. Geographical distribution The fish is distributed in rivers, lakes, ponds, and derelict water bodies of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, and Laos (Jayaram, 1999, Froese and Pauly, 2014). Conservation status Vulnerable in India (Molur and Walker, 1998); Least concern in rest of the countries (IUCN, 2014). Identification Body elongated, compressed and abdomen rounded. Head is moderate, greatly depressed and covered with thin skin. Snout flat, mouth terminal and teeth viliform. Eyes small and lateral. Barbels 4 pairs, 1 maxillary, 1 nasal and 2 mandibular. Dorsal fin short, inserted usually above the tip of pectoral fins. Pectoral fin with a strong spine, anal fin long based, separated by a distant notch from caudal fin (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). Threats The wild population of this fish species is rapidly declining due to overexploitation, the introduction of alien species, loss of habitat, diseases, water pollution, water abstraction, siltation, poisoning, etc. (Molur and Walker, 1998). Habitat and Ecology It inhabits muddy bottoms of ponds, ditches, bheels, swamps, marshes and rivers. It is known to subsist on benthic and decaying organic matter. It is able to tolerate slightly brackish water. Its air-breathing apparatus enables it to thrive well even in oxygen deficient waters (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). 18

Fishery information Used as food fish in India and other countries of its distributions. The fish enjoys high economic importance and great demand because of food as well as medicinal value (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). 19

2.2. Channa punctata (Bloch, 1793) Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Sub phylum Vertebrata Super class Gnathostomata Class Osteichthyes Order Perciformes Family Channidae Genus Channa Species punctata Channa punctata 20

Common names It is commonly known as spotted snakehead, taki, lata, phool-dhok, daula, soli, gorissa, burada-matta, kayichal, korawa, kuchi and belikkorava in different parts of the country (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). Geographical distribution C. punctata is distributed in rivers, ponds and lakes of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Yunnan, Malaysia, China, Afghanistan and Thailand (Froese and Pauly, 2014). Conservation status Lower risk near threatened (Molur and Walker, 1998); Least concern (IUCN, 2014). Identification Eyes comparatively of small size and located on the anterior side of head. Two pairs of nostrils are found at the anterior superior angle of the eyes. Lower jaw is slightly protruding. Teeth on lower jaw are conical. Barbels are absent. Pectoral fin position is a little above the pelvic fin and caudal fin long and rounded. According Bhuiyan (1964), maximum length is 30 cm (http://en.bdfish.org/2010/05/channa-punctatus/). Several dark blotches on flanks; some specimens with numerous black spots on body, and also on dorsal, anal and caudal fins (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). Threats High fishinsg pressure, loss of habitat and overexploitation (Molur and Walker, 1998) Habitat and ecology C. punctata burrows in mud and prefers stagnant and muddy to running waters (Bhatti, 1934). It is a voracious feeder and predatory to small fish and fries. Prolific breeder; breeds even in ponds almost throughout the year by building circular nests between marginal weeds; peak breeding before and during mansoon months; mature in first year. The spotted snakehead is common throughout the plains of India and Pakistan (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). 21

Fishery information The spotted murrel, Channa punctata (Bloch 1793), is an important food fish particularly in the Indian subcontinent. It has been identified as a potential candidate species for aquaculture in derelict and swampy waters on account of its air breathing habit (Haniffa et al., 2003). However, the culture practice of the fish has not been taken up on a commercial scale in India and almost all demands are being met by wild catch. 22

2.3. Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758) Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Sub phylum Vertebrata Super class Gnathostomata Class Osteichthyes Order Siluriformes Family Clariidae Genus Clarias Species batrachus Clarias batrachus 23

Common names It is commonly known as magur, wagur, manguri, mangur, maguro, marpulu, masarai, muzhi, mazhu, musi and halimeena in different parts of the country (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). Geographical distribution The fish is distributed in the freshwater of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Burma, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan and USA etc. (Froese and Pauly 2014). Conservation status Vulnerable (Molur and Walker 1998); least concern (IUCN, 2014). Identification Body is compressed posteriorly. Upper jaw is slightly longer than lower jaw. Mouth is wide and terminal. Four maxillary and four mandibular barbels are present. Dorsal fin and anal fin both are long, reaching to caudal base. Caudal fin is homocercal, separated from dorsal and anal fin (Sahoo et al. 2010). Pectoral spines are rough on its outer edge and serrated on its inner edge (Taki, 1974). Threats The wild population of C. batrachus is declining due to indiscriminate and illegal fishing, pollution, water abstraction, siltation, invasion of exotic species and habitat loss (Molur and Walker, 1998; Sahoo et al. 2010). Habitat and Ecology This fish species inhabits ponds, ditches, tanks, channels, swamps, rice fields, pools, stagnant water, sluggish flowing canals, small and large rivers (Froese and Pauly, 2014). Omnivore with broad feeding habits at different life stages (Hora and Pillay, 1962). The species has a short spawning period during July-August, coinciding with the south-west monsoon. Also breeds in confined waters of ponds and tanks. 24

Fishery information They are abundant in ponds and rivers in the mud and lay concealed for hours. Found in all types of waters but more so in derelict and swampy waters. It can live out of waters for quite sometime and can travel short distances over land as it has an accessory respiratory organ. This is a rather hardy fish. It attains a length of 46 cm and in captivity lives for a number of years. 25

2.4. Wallago attu (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Sub phylum Vertebrata Super class Gnathostomata Class Osteichthyes Order Siluriformes Family Siluridae Genus Wallago Species attu Wallago attu 26

Common names It is commonly known as sareng, barali, poil, bayali, koyali, boal, barware, boyari, paran, boallee, boabe, walagah, valuga, valaga, vazai, bahle, chate, pari, purram, pahree and pattam in different parts of the country (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). Geographical distribution It is widely distributed in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Burma and other Asian countries including Thailand, Vietnam, Kampuchea, Malay Peninsula, Indonesia and Afghanistan (Roberts, 1982; Yen and Trong, 1988; Giri et al., 2002; Froese and Pauly, 2014). Conservation status Endangered (Kurup 1992; Mijkherjee et al., 2002); Near threatened (IUCN, 2014). Identification Body is elongated and laterally compressed. Eyes small. The snout is depressed. Mouth wide, its gape extends posteriorly to beyond eyes. Barbels two pairs; maxillary pair is long and extend posteriorly to well beyond origin of anal fin, the mandibular pair much shorter, about as long as snout (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). Dorsal fin small and anal fin very long (Froese and Pauly, 2014). Threats Populations are declining due to overexploitation, destruction of brood fishes from freshwater habitats, environmental degradation, pesticide, pollution and lack of proper management (Mijkherjee et al. 2002; Patra et al. 2005). Habitat and Ecology It inhabits standing and running waters, usually in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, floodplains, and tanks with mud or silty bottoms and grasses (Roberts, 1993). Juveniles usually feed on insects and adults are strongly piscivorous, feeding on small fishes, shrimps and mollusks (Islam et al., 2006; Froese and Pauly, 2014). 27

Fishery information It is one of the largest, voracious and predatory of the local catfishes which thrive well in rivers and tanks. It is fished in large numbers, being caught by large scoop nets, long lines and hooks. Considerable quantities are sold round the year in all parts of India and abundant during warm season. It is a premonsoon summer breeder. It grows to about 2 m and weighs more than 45 kg (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). 28

2.5. Sperata seenghala ((Sykes, 1839) Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Sub phylum Vertebrata Super class Gnathostomata Class Osteichthyes Order Siluriformes Family Bagridae Genus Sperata Species seenghala Sperata seenghala 29

Common names It is commonly known as Giant river-catfish, Tengara, Seenghari, Auri, Arii, Aor, Arr-tengara, Air, Guii, Gagari, Tengra, Ari, Pogal, singara, seenghala, Singoa, Katrang, Alli, Addi, Seengala, Keeru-jella, Multi-jellah, Nare-jella, Cumboo-keeluti, Karumthalai-keelutti, Pona-keeluthi, Naddu-kelithi, Karatta, Choot-kah, Shingta etc. in different parts of the country (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). Geographical distribution It is widely distributed in the rivers of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Yunnan, Thailand and China (Froese and Pauly, 2014). Conservation status Least concern (IUCN, 2014). Identification Body elongated and compressed. Snout broad and spatulate. Mouth subterminal, its width about one third of head length; barbels four pairs extending posteriorly to pelvic fins or beyond to anal fin. Dorsal fin weakly serrated on its posterior edge; adipose fin base short, about as long as rayed dorsal fin base (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). Threats Wild populations of S. seenghala is being intensively fished for food and most likely vulnerable to overfishing (IUCN, 2014). Habitat and Ecology It inhabits large rivers, canals, beels, ditches, inundated fields and other freshwater areas. The fish is carnivorous and consumes a variety of living organism including fish, frogs, snakes, insects, earthworms, tadpoles, crustaceans, and debris (Rahman, 2005). Adults fight well and provide good sport. Breeding occurs before the commencement of monsoon. 30

Fishery information This is an important giant catfish of India being extensively caught in the large rivers. The common marketable size is 40 cm. It comes easily on dead bait although it also takes live bait (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). 31