This fish is found in freshwater rivers, lakes, beels,  canals and ponds. It is a very tasty food fish and grows to a length of around122 cm. However their population has declined considerably in last two decades and is categorized under the endangered category. Recently, it has been declared a State Fish of Uttar Pradesh in order to strengthen conservation efforts. It resembles Notopterus but can be differentiated with 15 numbers of transverse, greyish-silvery bars on lateral side. The fish needs temperature of 24-28 °C, pH 6.0-8.0 and hardness 5-19 dGH. Carnivore fish and consume small fishes, shrimps, insects and their larvae. However, they cannot consume large prey due to small mouth and hence cultured along with carps in polyculture ponds for control of small unwanted prey fishes. Sexes are difficult to identify excepting when mature. Fish has been successfully bred in captivity.