The rohu, rui, ruhi or roho labeo ( Labeo rohita) is a species of fish of the Cyprinidae, found in rivers in South Asia. It is a large omnivore and extensively used in aquaculture.
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 and maximum length of ,
[ but average around .
]
Distribution and habitat
The rohu occurs in rivers throughout much of northern and central and eastern India,
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, moving onto phytoplankton in later stages of life. Rohu are herbivorous column feeders, eating mainly phytoplankton and submerged vegetation. It has modified, thin hair-like gill rakers, which it uses to feeds by sieving the water.
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.
The Rohu can be infested by the acanthocephalan parasite Paraechinorhynchus kalriai which attaches to the inner lining of the small intestine.[Bilqees, F. M., & Aly Khan, A. K. (1983). Paraechinorhynchus kalriai ng, n. sp.(Neoechinorhynchidea: Neoechinorhynchinae) from Labeo rohita (Ham).]
Aquaculture
The rohu is an important freshwater species in South Asia.
Preparation as food
Rohu is very commonly eaten in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and the states of Tripura, Nagaland, Bihar, Odisha, Assam, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana,Tamilnadu and Uttar Pradesh.
Rohu caught in Mithila are known as Mithila Rohu Machh (Maithili: मिथिला रोहु माछ) and considered tastier than the Rohu varieties found in the coastal areas. The Bihar State government is currently making efforts to establish a List of geographical indications in India (GI) tag for the fish.
Nutrition
Rohu is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamin A, Vitamin B and Vitamin C.
See also
