The fish species known as Labeo rohita , or rohu, is a type of carp that is primarily found in rivers and ponds. This fish is a mid-water feeder, and for this reason, it is often farmed together with two other carp species - Cirrhina mrigala , a bottom feeder, and Catla catla , a surface feeder.

Read on to learn more about the habitat and characteristics of the Rohu or Labeo rohita .

Contents:

• Classification of Labeo rohita
• Diagram of Labeo rohita
• Habitat
• Description

Classification of Labeo rohita

Diagram of Labeo rohita

Habitat

The rohu or Labeo rohita is a freshwater fish that is usually found in rivers and ponds. These fish are distributed across both temperate and tropical regions, including countries like Vietnam, Pakistan, Nepal, India, Myanmar and Bangladesh. The Labeo species typically breeds in riverbanks and tanks, but not in enclosed bodies of water.

Description

• Adult Labeo fish can grow to lengths of between 0.5 and 2 metres, and can weigh up to 4 kg, although some individuals can reach weights of up to 45 kg.
• The bodies of these fish are brownish or bluish on their dorsal (top) surfaces, and silvery-white on their ventral (bottom) surfaces. Their bodies are covered with large, overlapping cycloid scales , which are round, bony and flat, and are of taxonomic significance. The scales that overlay the lateral line are perforated by the tubes of the lateral line system.
• They have a compressed and fusiform body that is divided into the head, trunk and tail.
• Their head is depressed, forming a short, blunt snout. They have paired eyes and paired nostrils . The mouth is located in the subterminal region of the head, and is surrounded by fleshy lips. Two slender, filamentous barbels extend from the upper lip.
• The rohu has a homocercal caudal fin, dorsal fin, anal fin, ventral fins and paired pectoral fins. The rays of their fins are usually soft, and their caudal fins divide into two equal lobes.
• They have four pairs of gill slits, which are protected by the operculum. The large operculum encloses the gills and the branchial chamber.
• A Weberian apparatus is present between the inner ear and the swim bladder. They also have mesonephric kidneys.