View - Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute

General information: Inhabit rivers. Occur in shoals. Adults ascend from estuariesinto large rivers for breeding during monsoons. After the water level recedes,they often get stranded in small pools. Oviparous, eggs are unguarded. Attainsa length of 1 m.Fisheries: A food fish as well as a game fish.Family: Pangasiidae• Nostril wide apart• Adipose dorsal fin well developed• Anal fin elongate with 28 to 34 rays43. Pangasius pangasius (Hamilton-Buchanan)Local name: Pungas, Jellum (Orissa), Payas, Ponga, Pangsa.Conservation Status: Least ConcernIdentifying features: Body smooth skinned, eyes large with adipose lids, situatedon the lower surface of head. Two pairs of barbels, the maxillary reaches posteriorbase of pectoral fin, mandibular shorter.Dorsal spine moderately strong, stronglyserrated posteriorly and also slightly serrated anteriorly. Pectoral spine strongerthan dorsal one and serrated posteriorly.General information: Found in large rivers and estuaries. Feeds on snails, othermollusks and plants. Excellent food fish with very white fine grained sweet flesh.Maximum size 1.5 m.Fisheries: An aquaculture species and considered an important game fish.30