Department of Fisheries Punjab
Government of Punjab

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The Main Culturable Fishes of Pakistan

Labeo Rohita

Rohu (Labeo rohita)

Geographical Distribution

This fish is commonly found in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, China, Kampuchea and Sri Lanka.

Morphological Characters

Its body is deep and dorsal profile is more concave than abdomen. Snout is obtuse and compressed, projecting beyond the jaws. Lips are thick and fringed with distinct inner fold. Generally one pair of small maxillary barbells is present and sometimes a second rostral pair is present. Lateral line scale are 40-42. Color of the body is bluish or brownish along the back and silvery on the sides and beneath. Usually a red mark is present on each scale.

 

Catla catla

Thaila (Catla catla)

Geographical Distribution

Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, China, Kampuchea and Sri Lanka.

Morphological Characters

It possesses elongated body, curved on ventral and dorsal sides. There is pair of small barbells on upper jaw. Mouth is small. Body is scaled except mouth and head. Red spot on each scale. Dorsal side of body is bluish and silvery on the side.

Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala)

Geographical Distribution

This fish is commonly found in Pakistan, India, Russia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, China, Kampuchea and Sri Lanka.

Morphological Characters

A large fish, body oblong and moderately compressed. Width of head equal to length behind the eyes which is located in the anterior half of the head. One pair of barbells present. Scales of moderate size; lateral line scales 40 to 45. caudal fin deeply forked. Color of the body is silvery, dark gray along the back, sometimes coppery. Pectoral, ventral and anal fins are tinged with black. Eyes are golden.

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

Geographical Distribution

It is native of south, central and northern China and Russia, transplanted in Europe south Asia, south east Asia and Africa.

Morphological Characters

This fish has elongate and moderately compressed body. Head is short and rounded snout. Upper jaw is slightly longer than the lower. Barbells are absent. Caudal fins is forked and lateral line is curved. Scales on the body are of moderate size. The color of the body is silvery and fins are slightly blackish.

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Geographical Distribution

It is native of south, central and northern China and Russia, transplanted in Europe south Asia, south east Asia and Africa.

Morphological Characters

This fish has elongate and moderately compressed body, broad head with short and rounded snout. Upper jaw is slightly longer than the lower. Barbells are absent. There are two rows of compressed, comb-like teeth in throat. Scales on the body are of moderate size. The fish is dark gray above and silvery on the belly.

Rainbow Trout

(Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Geographical Distribution

It is famous game fish all over the world. It inhabits cold water and lives higher altitude all over the world. It is cultured in northern area like Kagan, Chitral, Swat of N.W.F.P and Quetta of Balochistan and Muree of Punjab. It is regarded as very good angling fish. It is native of south, central and northern China and Russia, transplanted in Europe south Asia, south east Asia and Africa.

Morphological Characters

This head, upper region of the body and dorsal fins of the fish are mottled with red and black spot. Small black spots are also present under the lateral line of the body. Ventral surface of the body is dark gray in color. Body is short and stout. Male and female can be distinguished during the spawning season. In the male the lower jaw is triangular in shape and is longer than the upper jaw; while this is not the case in female. Male become much darker in color during the spawning season but the female looks more bright.

Aristichthys nobilis (Big Head)