Rohu

The rohu, rui, or roho labeo (Labeo rohita) is a species of fish of the carp family, found in rivers in
South Asia. It is a large omnivore and extensively used in aquaculture.
 Rohu

Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Cypriniformes

Family: Cyprinidae

Subfamily: Labeoninae

Genus: Labeo

Species: L. rohita

Binomial name

Labeo rohita

F. Hamilton, 1822

Synonyms

Cyprinus rohita Hamilton, 1822

Description

The rohu is a large, silver-colored fish of typical cyprinid shape, with a conspicuously arched
head. Adults can reach a maximum weight of 45 kg (99 lb) and maximum length of 2 m
(6.6 ft),[2] but average around 1⁄2 m (1.6 ft).

Distribution and habitat

The rohu occurs in rivers throughout much of northern and central and eastern India,[3] Pakistan,
Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar, and has been introduced into some of the rivers of
Peninsular India and Sri Lanka.[1][2]

Ecology

The species is an omnivore with specific food preferences at different life stages. During the
early stages of its lifecycle, it eats mainly zooplankton, but as it grows, it eats more and more
phytoplankton, and as a juvenile or adult is a herbivorous column feeder, eating mainly
phytoplankton and submerged vegetation. It has modified, thin hair-like gill rakers, suggesting
that it feeds by sieving the water.[4]

Rohu reach sexual maturity between two and five years of age. They generally spawn during the
monsoon season, keeping to the middle of flooded rivers above tidal reach. The spawning
season of rohu generally coincides with the southwest monsoon. Spawn may be collected from
rivers and reared in tanks and lakes.[2]

Aquaculture

The rohu is an important aquacultured freshwater species in South Asia.[5] When cultured, it
does not breed in lake ecosystems, so induced spawning is necessary.[6][7] The rohu is also
prized as a game fish.[1]

Preparation as food
Fried Rohu dish, Bangladesh.

Rohu is very commonly eaten in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and the Indian states of Tripura,
Nagaland, Bihar, Odisha, Assam, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Uttar Pradesh.[3]
A recipe for fried Rohu fish is mentioned in Manasollasa, a 12th-century Sanskrit encyclopedia
compiled by Someshvara III, who ruled from present-day Karnataka. In this recipe, the fish is
marinated in asafoetida and salt after being skinned. It is then dipped in turmeric mixed in water
before being fried.[8]

Rohu fish- Kurriro, Danbiro Machi of Indus River

References
 1. Dahanukar, N. (2010). "Labeo rohita" (https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/166619/6248771) . IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T166619A6248771. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-
4.RLTS.T166619A6248771.en (https://doi.org/10.2305%2FIUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T166619A6248771.e
n) . Retrieved 19 November 2021.

2. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2013). "Labeo rohita " (http://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSu
mmary.php?genusname=Labeo&speciesname=rohita) in FishBase. May 2013 version.

3. "Rohu Fish Farming Information Guide - Agri Farming" (http://www.agrifarming.in/rohu-fish-farming/) .

Agrifarming.in. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2018.

4. "Composite fish culture" (http://www.keralaagriculture.gov.in/htmle/bankableagriprojects/fish%5Cfishcult

ure.htm) . Kerelaagriculture.gov.in. Retrieved 2012-03-10.

5. "FAO Fisheries & Aquaculture Labeo rohita" (http://www.fao.org/fishery/culturedspecies/Labeo_rohita/

en) . Fao.org. Retrieved 8 September 2018.

6. de Graaf, G.; Latif, A. (2002). "Development of freshwater fish farming and poverty alleviation - A case
study from Bangladesh" (http://www.nefisco.org/downloads/DevelopmentOfFreshwaterFishFarming.pd
f) (PDF). Aquaculture Asia. 7 (2): 5.

7. Nandeesha, M.C. (1990). "Induced spawning of Indian major carps through a single application of
Ovaprim-C" (http://www.nickparkerllc.com/index_pdf/pubs/parker/33induced.htm) . Asian Fisheries
Society. Retrieved 23 January 2017.

8. K.T. Achaya (2003). The Story of Our Food (https://books.google.com/books?id=bk9RHRCqZOkC&pg=P

A85) . Universities Press. p. 85. ISBN 978-81-7371-293-7.

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