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Three freshwater species of Ambassidae, Ambassis baculis, A. lalaand A.
ranga constitute the freshwater glass fishes of Maharashtra. Theyare very
small, hardly 4 cm. in length and are of indifferent value asfood fish. They
are, however, prized as attractive aquarium fish. Inanother less known way
they are useful to human race. They are veryfond of cyclops, a water flea
commonly found in freshwater. Cyclopsbeing a carrier of guinea worm
pest, its destruction adds to the possibilityof reducing the incidence of this
dreaded disease. In this respect theglass fish do play an important role, like
Rasbora group at (4) above.
(13) FRESH WATER EELS
In this group, two different families are involved, namely the Anguillidae
and Mastacembelidae. Anguilla anguila of the family Anguillidae is
known as 'Ahir' whereas members of Mastacembelidae are known as ‘
Wam '. Both are prized as food and are very much sought for. 'Ahir' is
supposed to have special nutritional value. In some places the mucus from
this fish along with gram flour is converted into pillets and given to people
suffering from nervous debility. The scientific value of this is, of course,
not known. The warn is known for its firm flesh and commands best price
in the market. The fish lives in small crevices in the embankment of ponds
and reservoirs or river banks. It is also known as Sawback because of sawlike
spines on its dorsal side.
(14) CLIMBING PERCH
Anabas testudineus is remarkable because of the climbing habits attributed
to it. Though its capacity to climb is doubted and never endorsed by
anybody in recent years, it is, no doubt, a migrating form and is known to
travel on soft grassy land particularly in the beginning of monsoon. This
migration from pond to pond by travelling on grassy or soft wet land is
possible because of the air breathing ability of the fish. It has developed a
chambered or labyrinthic strueture in a cavity near its head. Blood
FAUNA 162