Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Perciformes (Perch-likes) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Etroplinae
Etymology: Etroplus: Name from the words 'etron' meaning belly and 'oplon' for arms; referring to the spines on the lower side; that is, the long spinour anal-fin..
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Brackish; benthopelagic; depth range 10 - ? m. Tropical; 23°C - 26°C (Ref. 2060), preferred ?; 11°N - 6°S
Western Indian Ocean: India and Sri Lanka.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 15.0 range ? - ? cm
Max length : 40.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 41236); common length : 20.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 6028)
Primarily found in brackish water but known to tolerate fresh or marine waters for short periods (Ref. 48490). Found in large rivers, reservoirs, lagoons and estuaries. Feed on filamentous algae, plant material and insects.
After spawning, about 500 eggs are laid and attached to a submerged log, rock or sometimes roots and weeds, in still or slow flowing water. Parents guard and fan the eggs until hatching, usually about 4 days. The fry shoal around their parents during the first weeks of growth. Parents refrain from feeding from the time of spawning until the fry become independent.
Pethiyagoda, R., 1991. Freshwater fishes of Sri Lanka. The Wildlife Heritage Trust of Sri Lanka, Colombo. 362 p. (Ref. 6028)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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