Common name

 

Indian Butter-catfish

Scientific name

 

Ompok bimaculatus

Family

 

Siluridae

Distribution   India, Afganistan, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand

 

This is a medium-size catfish and is an esteemed food fish in north-eastern parts of the country. It is found in tropical waters of Punjab, U.P., Bihar, Orissa. W.B. and Assam. The fish has been declared as State Fish by the Govt of  Tripura for conservation plans. Grows to a length of 45 cm. The body is elongated and strongly compressed. Dorsal fin very small, weak and placed opposite to ventral fin. There are four pairs of barbels. A large dusky spot exists on shoulder and a small black spot on caudal peduncle.  It can tolerate wide range of water quality like temperature 20-28 °C, pH 6.0-8.0 and moderate hardness. Carnivore fish and hence should not be kept with small or equal size fishes in an aquarium. It can be fed with small live or dead fish or small pieces of meat and also formulated diets. Breeds in rivers during monsoon. Captive breeding through induced maturation has been achieved. 

 

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