Edible Fishes Of Tamilnadu

I. Fresh Water Fishes

Among the freshwater fishes, carps belonging to the order
Cypriniformes form significant components of reservoir, riverine and culture
fisheries. They have no teeth in any part of their mouths, however
pharyngeal teeth may be present.

i. Indian Major Carps (‘Kendai’ meen)

a) Catla catla (catla) :

Catla has a deep body with prominent head, large
upturned mouth, non-fringed lips, devoid of barbels and a broad dorsal fin
with 14-16 branched rays are the identifying features. It feeds on
zooplankton of the pond surface using large gill rakers; however, young ones
(15-20 mm) feed on zooplankton and phytoplankton. It grows to a maximum size of 1.8 m (45 kg). It is a fast growing species among the Indian
major carps. First year growth is 35-45 cm and about 1.5 – 2.0 kg. It
matures in the second year. (Edible Fishes)

b) Labeo rohita (Rohu) :

Of all the carps, this is considered as the tastiest
fish. It has a small and pointed head, terminal small mouth with fringed lower
lip. A dorsal fin with 12-13 branched rays and full reddish scales are its
identifying features. It is a column feeder on phytoplankton, plant debris or
decaying debris of aquatic plants; however, the young feed on zooplankton.
The maximum size attained is 1m. It is fairly fast growing species and first
year growth is 35 – 40 cm and 900 g.

c. Cirrhina mrigala (Mrigal) :

A linear body small head with blunt snout, subterminal mouth with thin non-fringed lips, dorsal fin with 12-13 branched rays and a bright silvery body having golden tinge are its identifying features.

It is a bottom feeder on decaying organic and vegetable debris; however, its
young feed on zooplankton. The maximum size attained is 0.9 m. Its growth
in the first year is about 30 cm (700 g). (Edible Fishes)

(ii) Catfishes (Order: Siluriformes-‘Keluthi’)

The catfish are air-breathing, or live-fishes as they are capable of
directly breathing atmospheric air. They can live for a long time without
water and can therefore be transported live and in fresh condition over long
distances. The body is without scales and each of the upper and lower jaws
possesses two pairs of long barbels in each. The mouth is non-protractile
having jaws with teeth. Majority of the catfish are predatory and
cannibalistic, feeding on all pond animals including fish fry. (Edible Fishes)

(iii) Murrels or Snakeheads (Order : Channiformes-‘Viral’ meen)

These fish are also air-breathing and have a good demand.
Elongated and cylindrical body, depressed head, large and protractile mouth
are its identifying features. Murrels are suitable for culture in irrigation wells
and shallow swamps. (Edible Fishes)

a) Channa marulius (Giant snakehead) : Dorsal and anal fins of this species
are long and without spines. It reaches a maximum size of 1.2 m. It is suitable
for culture in ponds along with tilapia, the young ones of which serve as food
source to this species.

b) C.striatus (Striped snake-head or Common murrel) : Stripes are present
on its body. Attains a maximum size of 90cm. (Edible Fishes)

(iv) Tilapia (Order : Perciformes)

a) Oreochromis mossambicus (Tilapia -‘Jilabi’ kendai) : An exotic fish
introduced in India from East Coast of Africa in 1952. It is characterized by
an anterior spinous dorsal fin and posterior soft dorsal fin. Maturity occurs
even in two months old individuals. It breeds nearly eight times in a year.
Female keeps the fertilized eggs guarded in its mouth.

II. Brackish water Fishes

Brackish water fishes spend most of its life in river mouths
(estuaries) back waters, mangrove swamps and coastal lagoons. These are Chanos Chanos (Milk fish), Grey mullets (‘Madavai’), Pearl spots
(‘Kari’meen), Seabass (‘Koduva’), The Seabreams. (Edible Fishes)

III. Marine Fishes

Marine edible fishes of Tamilnadu coast include both cartilaginous
and bony fishes.

Elasmobranchiata

Cartilagenous fishes are the sharks and skates.
Bony Fishes are

i) Pomfrets (‘Vavva’): ii) Indian Mackeral (‘Kanangeluthi’) : iii) Seer fish
(‘Vanjiram’ or ‘Neimeen’): iv) Carangids (‘Para’ meen):(v) Ribbon fishes:
(vi) Catfishes (‘Keluthi’): (vii) Flat fishes (‘Naakku meen’):(viii) Sardines
(‘Maththi meen’): (Edible Fishes)

Edible Fishes Of Tamilnadu

I. Fresh Water Fishes

i. Indian Major Carps (‘Kendai’ meen)

(ii) Catfishes (Order: Siluriformes-‘Keluthi’)

(iii) Murrels or Snakeheads (Order : Channiformes-‘Viral’ meen)

(iv) Tilapia (Order : Perciformes)

Related Topics in Zoology:

Unit 7. THEORIES OF EVOLUTION Topic List Zoology

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