It is a medium-size very tasty freshwater food fish that is cultured at several places along with Indian major carps. Distributed throughout plains of Indian rivers and reservoirs. Grows to a length of around 90 cm. It has two pairs of small black barbels. The fish resembles to rohu but body and fins are blackish and body colour is greyish. It is not aggressive and can be kept with fishes of same group in aquarium. Bottom feeder, omnivore and feeds on algae, snails, worms and decayed organic food. It also feeds on dead and decaying matter at the bottom and hence acts as scavenger and improves the sanitation of the tank. Sexes can be differentiated when mature. Maturity is attained in the second year of life. Breeds in rivers and canals during monsoon. Captive breeding through induced breeding has been achieved. It has been declared threatened fish due to severe loss of population.