FISH AND SHELLFISH DIVERSITY AND ITSSUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT IN CHILIKA LAKE

V. R. Suresh, S. K. Mohanty, R. K. Manna, K. S. Bhatta
M. Mukherjee, S. K. Karna, A. P. Sharma, B. K. Das
A. K. Pattnaik, Susanta Nanda & S. Lenka

2018

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute
Barrackpore, Kolkata - 700 120 (India)&

Chilika Development Authority

C- 11, BJB Nagar, Bhubaneswar- 751 014 (India)

FISH AND SHELLFISH DIVERSITY AND ITS SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT IN
CHILIKA LAKE

V. R. Suresh, S. K. Mohanty, R. K. Manna, K. S. Bhatta, M. Mukherjee, S. K. Karna,
A. P. Sharma, B. K. Das, A. K. Pattnaik, Susanta Nanda & S. Lenka

Photo editing: Sujit Choudhury and Manavendra Roy
ISBN: 978-81-938914-0-7
Citation: Suresh, et al. 2018. Fish and shellfish diversity and its sustainable managementin Chilika lake, ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata
and Chilika Development Authority, Bhubaneswar. 376p.
Copyright: © 2018. ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore,
Kolkata and Chilika Development Authority, C-11, BJB Nagar, Bhubaneswar.
Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes
is authorized without prior written permission from the copyright holders provided
the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale orother commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission from the
copyright holders.
Photo credits: Sujit Choudhury, Manavendra Roy, S. K. Mohanty, R. K. Manna, V. R.
Suresh, S. K. Karna, M. Mukherjee and Abdul Rasid
Published by:
Chief Executive
Chilika Development Authority
C-11, BJB Nagar, Bhubaneswar-751 014 (Odisha)
Cover design by: S. K. Mohanty
Designed and printed by: S J Technotrade Pvt. Ltd. , Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Disclaimer: The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in this document are theviews of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries
Research Institute, Barrackpore and Chilika Development Authority, Bhubaneswar.

FOREWORD
Chilika Lake, a highly sensitive coastal ecosystem and a designated Ramsar site along
the east coast of India, is the largest brackishwater lagoon in Asia and the second largest
in the world. Known to be highly productive ecosystem, the Lake has been supporting
diverse fish species, besides rich fishery. The hydrological changes took place due togradual closure of the sea-mouth of the Lake turned it towards a freshwater ecosystem
and as a consequence it influenced fisheries of major brackishwater and marine fish
species. This had severe impact on migration of several valuable fish species thatfrequented the Lake for breeding and feeding. Restoration measures like opening ofa new sea-mouth during the year 2000 have rejuvenated the ecosystem, resulting inmeasurable improvement in the fish diversity and catch.
Although study of fish diversity of the Lake has long been of great interest to researchersand substantial amount of literature on this aspect exist on the subject, bringing out
a comprehensive document on the updated list of fish and shellfish species, including
a number of new records, by the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institutethrough the project ‘Post restoration assessment of ecology and fisheries diversity of
Chilika lake’ funded by the Chilika Development Authority, Odisha, is a good initiative.
The book contains elaborate taxonomical accounts, habitat information, distribution,conservation status, fisheries and economic importance of fish and shellfish species of
the Lake.
I am sure the information provided in this book will be of immense help to those
involved in studies on fish diversity, besides to the students, researchers and thoseinterested in fisheries. I congratulate the authors and the project team for bringing out
this document.

								(J. K. Jena)

Chilika Development Authority

I

PREFACE
Chilka is a coastal lake situated along the east cost of India, spread over the Puri, Khurda
and Ganjam districts of Odisha; between latitude 19° 28' and 19° 54' N and longitude 85° 05'
and 85° 38' E. The lake has distinct marine, brackish and freshwater zones due to seawater
ingress through the sea-mouth and freshwater brought in by rivers and surface run off.
This zonation has resulted in diverse flora and fauna adapted to such situations, especiallyfin fishes and shell fishes. In the aftermath of the gradual closure of the sea-mouth of the
Chilika, towards the 1990s, the lake had turned in to more of a freshwater ecosystem,
resulting in substantial change in species composition, with significant enhancementin freshwater forms. Restoration measures like opening of a new mouth, rehabilitationof link canals during the year 2000, has rejuvenated the ecosystem with significant
improvement in the fish diversity and catch, which is attributed to restoration of original
salinity gradients, augmentation of auto recruitment, besides facilitation of free migrationof fishes, prawns and crabs from the sea into the lake and vise-á-versa. It is expected thatthe fish diversity of the dynamic lake ecosystem might have undergone changes, since therestoration, which needed to be documented. To study the ecology and fisheries diversityof the Chilika Lake, the Chilika Development Authority, Odisha, through the Integrated
Coastal Zone Management Project funded by World Bank, invited competitive bids for
conducting long term studies on the lake ecosystem. The ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries
Research Institute, Barrackpore won the bid and signed an agreement with the Chilika
Development Authority, on 21st October 2011, to study the lake through a project titled‘Post restoration assessment of ecology and fisheries diversity of Chilika Lake’. As part ofthe deliverables under the contract agreement, preparation of a book, documenting thefin fish and shell fish diversity of the lake has been agreed upon. In compliance to that, thisbook has been prepared jointly by ICAR-CIFRI and Chilika Development Authority (CDA).
This book embodies a brief introduction, followed by revised checklist of fin fishes andshell fishes of the lake, which has been updated till date by eliminating miss identifications,following internationally accepted nomenclature (As updated in www.fishbase.org by
May, 2018). Information on systematic accounts, diagnostic features, habitat, distribution,conservation status, fisheries, economic importance, utilization, information with reference
to Chilika Lake etc. of 225 important finfish species out of total inventory of 286 species
and 11 shellfish species including 8 prawn and 3 crab species out of total inventory of
34 species (14 crabs, 18 prawns and 2 lobsters) recorded by the project team during the
project period and CDA during the post-restoration period, including new records to thelake, are included, besides species index and related references. The remaining 60 finfish
species and 23 shellfish species from the inventory list which do not contribute significantly
to the commercial landing and do not have ornamental value are furnished in Table 4 & 5.
Although a wealth of information is available on the lake fisheries, an updated compendiumof fish and shell fish diversity has been in great demand. The book has been prepared ineasy-to-read manner, supported by images (monograph of fish and shellfish species). For
the first time the fish biodiversity assessment in Chilika has been presented alongwith
the suggested measures for sustainable management of fish and shellfish diversity. The
contents are based on extensive field studies and mining of available literature in the
public domain. We hope the book will be highly useful for researchers, fisheries / wetland
managers, teachers, students and common man, besides adding value to the information
on Chilika lake ecosystem.
AuthorsII

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors gratefully acknowledge the funding support from World Bank through theState Project Management Unit (SPMU) of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project(ICZMP) of Odisha (Cr. No. 4765 – IN) to ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, West
Bengal for the project ‘Post restoration assessment of the ecology and fisheries diversity of
Chilika Lake’. Dr. B. C. Jha, former Head of Division; Dr. Debabrata Panda, Mr. Roshith, C. M.,
Scientists, Dr. M. K. Mukhopadhaya, former Scientist of ICAR-CIFRI have helped at different
stages of preparation of the book. The technical and field support received from Mr. Y.
Ali, Mr. S. Mandal, Mr. A. Raichoudhury technical officers CIFRI; Dr. Surajit Banik, Mr. Sanjib
Kumar Pradhan, Mr. Apurba Raut, Project Staff, is deeply acknowledged. The authors also
acknowledge the help received from the Staff of Wetland Research and Training Center of
CDA, Barkul (Balugaon) and unstinted help of Sri Ganesh Behera, Data Entry Operator of
CDA, Bhubaneswar in computerizing the document to bring to its final form.

- Authors

Chilika Development Authority

IIIABBREVIATIONSA:Anal finC:

Caudal fin

CAMP

:

Conservation Assessment and Management Plan

CDA:

Chilika Development Authority

CIFRI

:

Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteCR:

Critically Endangered

D:

Dorsal fin

DD:

Data DeficientEN:

Endangered

ICAR

:

Indian Council of Agricultur Research

ICZMP

:

Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project

INR:

Indian Rupees

IUCN

:

International Union for Conservation of Nature

LC:

Least Concern

Ll:

Lateral line

Ls:

Lateral line scale

N/n:NumberNBFGR:

National Bureau of Fish Genetic ResourcesNE:

Not EvaluatedNT:

Near Threatened

P:

Pectoral fin

SL:Standard length

TL:

Total length

V:

Ventral fin

Vr:

Vertebrae

VU:

Vulnerable

WISA

:

Wetlands International - South Asia

ZSI:

Zoological Survey of India

IV

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteINTRODUCTION
Situated along the east coast of India, the Chilika lagoon is a designated Ramsar siteof International importance and the largest brackish water lake in Asia. It lies between
latitudes 19°28’ and 19° 54’ North and longitude 85° 05’ and 85° 38’ East; extends fromthe south west corner of Puri and Khurda districts to adjoining Ganjam district ofOdisha. The water-spread area of the lake fluctuates from 906 km2 (during summer)
to 1165 km2 (during monsoon). Its linear axis is 64.3 km in length and has an averagemean width of 20.1 km. In the eastern part, the main lagoon is connected with the
Bay of Bengal through a long outer channel and at the southern end a 14 km longchannel (called Palur canal) connects to the sea through Rushikulya river mouth. In thenorthern and western part, 7 rivers and 45 rivulets drain freshwater into the lagoon.
The sea mouth along the eastern side of the lagoon act as a gateway between themain lake and the sea, through which flood water along with sediment loads fromthe north-western catchment of the lake is released to the sea during monsoon andfacilitates entry of sea water into the lagoon. This dynamic hydrology of fresh to saline
water on a temporal, seasonal and geographical scale support unique assemblage offreshwater, brackish water and marine life, especially finfishes and shellfishes. Chilika
lagoon is the most important source of capture fisheries of Odisha, which supports
food and livelihood security of more than 2 lakh fishers living around the lagoon. It also
provides employment opportunities to large number of local artisans and traders. As
one of the direct use benefits of Chilika ecosystem, fisheries output shares substantial
economic value. A wealth of information is available on the lake finfish and shellfish
diversity, but are spread out in various publications and records. A comprehensive
and complete document, in the form of a book, has thus been planned through the
CIFRI-CDA-ICZM project ‘Post restoration assessment of ecology and fisheries diversityof Chilika Lake’. The book entitled ‘Fish and Shellfish Diversity and its Sustainable
Management in Chilika Lake’ presents an updated systematic checklist of 336 finfish
species, 29 prawn and shrimp species and 35 brachyuran crab species of Chilika
Lake. The species discriptions include available information on the salient diagnostic
features, geographic distributions, habitat/environment and other vital information
specific to Chilika Lake for 225 finfish species and 11 shellfish species (8 prawn/shrimp
and 3 portunid crabs) and assessment of conservation status, which will be useful for
general to professional readers.

Chilika Development Authority

VCONTENTS
Subject

Page

Foreword

I

PrefaceII

Acknowledgments

III

Abbreviations

IV

Introduction

V

Background

01-02

Collection and documentation

02-03

Checklist of finfishes

03-13

Checklist of shellfishes

13-15

Conservation status

15-19

List of fishes under updated inventory of finfish species but not included in
the list of described fishes (monograph)

20-22

Sustainable management of fish and shellfish diversity

23-26

Management needs of Chilika Lake for sustainable fisheries and follow up
action initiated by Chilika Development Authority

27-32

Species descriptions

33-350Species Index

351-358

References359-368

BACKGROUNDFirst major fisheries investigation in Chilika was carried out during 1914-23 by
Zoological Survey of India and recorded 112 fish species, 24 prawn and 26 brachyuran
crabs (Chaudhuri, 1916a, b,c; Hora, 1923). The ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries ResearchInstitute, Barrackpore, West Bengal, in its early explorations of the lagoon, recorded 55
more species during 1957-60 (Jhingran and Natarajan, 1966). During 1954-86, another46 fish species were added to the Chilika fish diversity (Jones and Sujansinghani, 1954;
Menon, 1961; Misra, 1969; 1976a, b; Rajan et al., 1968; Roy and Sahoo, 1957; Mohanty,
1973; Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). During the Chilika expedition (1985-87), the Zoological
Survey of India recorded another 4 species of fish and 2 species of crabs. Thus, by 1987,
a total of 217 fish species (Rama Rao, 1995), 28 crab species (Mayadeb, 1995) and 24
prawn species were listed. Later, Bhatta et al. (2001) added 8 new records of fish, bringing
the total to 225 species of fishes, 24 species of prawns and 28 crab species. During the1990’s, Chilika lagoon had faced eco-degradation and the ecological characteristics ofthe lagoon greatly altered due to gradual closure of the sea mouth. As a consequence,
the floral and faunal composition, especially that of fishes changed drastically. A classic
hydrological intervention by opening an artificial lake mouth at a strategic place
nearer to the main water body was implemented by Chilika Development Authority
in September 2000 for eco-restoration of the lake. Opening of the new lake mouth
rejuvenated the ecological characteristics of the lagoon ecosystem which witnessed
the spectacular enhancement of fisheries output and species diversity. In the postrestoration period (2000-04), the Chilika Development Authority documented aninventory of fishes of Chilika lagoon. A total of 221 species have been collected fromthe lagoon up to March 2004, comprising 187 species of finfish, 18 species of prawn, 14
species of crab and 2 species of lobsters (Mohapatra et al., 2007). The faunal inventory
included 56 new records (43 species of fishes, 4 prawns, 7 crabs and 2 lobsters) during
the period. In 2009, Chilika Development Authority published a ‘Fish Atlas of Chilika’and updated all the published fish diversity in which 318 species comprising of 83
families among 20 orders (Satpathy and Panda, 2009). Further, Wetlands International,
South Asia (WISA, 2012) published a list of fishes, comprising 314 species from the
pre-restoration to the post-restoration period. Mohapatra et al. (2015) added anotherfish species to the list, bringing the total number of fish species to 315. The recent
publication on the ichthyofauna of Chilika Lake (Mohanty et al., 2015) provided the
updated comprehensive systematic checklist of 317 fish species (1916-2014), inventory,
faunal characteristics and assessment of fish biodiversity status for the first time. One
species Thryssa kammalensis (Bleeker, 1849) under Engraulidae family was earlier
recorded from Chilika Lake (Rama Rao, 1995), which was later synonimized and hence
the species was not included in the comprehensive checklist provided by Mohanty
et al. (2015). Now the same species has become an accepted valid species (http://www.
fishbase.org/Nomenclature/ScientificName SearchList.php? visited on June 28, 2016),
which has been included in the latest checklist totaling to 318 species. ICAR-CIFRI,
Barrackpore, documented 16 new records while conducting the five year long study on
Chilika Development Authority

1

post-restoration assessment of the ecology and fisheries diversity of Chilika Lake during
2011-2016 under the ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZMP Consultancy Project, were added to thelatest published ichthyofaunal record. Thus the present updated systematic checklistof fish fauna of Chilika Lake includes 336 species distributed under 217 genera, in 92
families and 23 oredrs (Table 1), which include 1 new order (Torpediniformes), 4 new
families (Narcinidae, Synanceiidae, Lethrinidae and Apogonidae) and 17 new species(Narcine timlei, Pachypterus atherinoides, Trachicephalus uranoscopus, Carangoides
ferdau, Carangoides oblongus, Caranx papuensis, Trachinotus baillonii, Trachinotus
botla, Lethrinus lentjan, Lutjanus rivulatus, Johnius borneensis, Taeniamia macroptera,
Favonigobius reichei, Taenioides anguillaris, Zebrias synapturoides, Sphyraena obtusata
and Arothron immaculatus) reported through the study conducted by ICAR-Central
Inland Fisheries Research Institute, through the World Bank funded CIFRI/CDA-ICZM
Consultancy Project ‘Post restoration assessment of ecology and fisheries diversity of
Chilika lake’ operationalized during October, 2011 to April, 2017.
The Decapod crustaceans collected from Chilika Lake during 1914 were studied andthe results were published by Kemp (1915) which listed prawn and shrimp species
numbering twenty four. During the period 1985-87, Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
conducted intensive surveys of Chilika Lake fauna. The prawn and shrimp material
collected during these surveys were studied and added one prawn species as newrecord of prawn and shrimp fauna totaling to 25 species. During the post-restoration(2001-02 to 2014-15) period, four new records were documented by Mohapatra et al.
(2015). The updated systematic checklist of 29 prawn and shrimp species belonging
to 17 genera and 10 families under Decapoda order is presented in Table 2. Kemp
(1915) dealt thoroughly with crab fauna of Chilika Lake and reported 26 species. A
total collection of 28 species of brachyuran crabs distributed under 22 genera and 9
families from Chilika Lake including 2 new records were reported by Maya Deb (1995).
During the post-restoration period (2001-02 to 2014-15) 7 species were documented
as new records (Mohapatra et al., 2015). Thus the updated systematic checklist of 35
brachyuran crabs distributed under 27 genera and 15 families and 2 species of Indianspiny lobsters under Palinuridae family (Table 2).

COLLECTION AND DOCUMENTATION
Extensive surveys were conducted to record the finfish and shellfish diversity of thelake during 2011 to 2016. Samples were collected through experimental netting in all
possible ecological zones of the lake. Samples were also collected from fishing boats
while being fished and from designated fish landing centers of the lake. Specimens
were collected from all the major fishing gears generally operated in the lake, likegill nets (8-260 mm mesh), trammel nets, screen barrier net (4-38 mm mesh), seine
nets, cast nets and hook and line. Soon after collection the samples were washed,
wiped off and photographed. Preliminary identification of the specimens was made2

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institutefollowing Rao (2009). Both the identified and un-identified specimens were preservedin 10 % formaline solution with proper labeling (precies name; date, place, gear used,photograph number, etc.) and brought to the laboratory for confirmation. The species
were identified following Day (1986), Talwar and Jhingran (1991), Jayaram (1999),
Amaoka and Hensley (2001), Jayaram (2010), Rao (2009), Fischer and Bianchi (1984),
Carpenter and Niem (1998). The species descriptions were based on the Code ofZoological Nomenclature and all species names were checked against Eschmeyer etal. (2018) and FishBase (2018).

CHECKLIST OF FIN FISHESThe updated checklist of finfishes recorded from Chilika lake consists of 336 species
belonging to 217 genera of 92 families and 23 orders (Table 1). The list includs 17 newrecords to the lake recorded under the under the CIFRI/CDA-ICZM project.

Table 1. Updated checklist of finfish species of Chilika Lake 1916-2016
Order

FamilySl. No.

Species

Conservation
statusOrectolobiformes

Hemiscyllidae

1

Chiloscyllium indicum (Gmelin, 1789)**

NT∆

Carcharhiniformes

Carcharhininidae

2

Carcharhinus leucas (Müller & Henle, 1839)**

NT∆

3

Carcharhinus limbatus (Müller & Henle, 1839)

NT∆

4

Carcharhinus melanopterus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)

NT∆

5

Glyphis gangeticus (Müller & Henle, 1839)

CR∆

6

Scoliodon laticaudus Müller & Henle, 1838*

NT∆

7

Eusphyra blochii (Cuvier, 1816)**NT∆

8

Sphyrna lewini (Griffith & Smith, 1834)**

EN∆

Pristidae

9

Pristis clavata Garman, 1906

EN ∆Rhinidae10

Rhynchobatus djiddensis (Forsskål, 1775)**

VU∆,B

Torpediniformes*

Narcinidae*

11

Narcine timlei (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)***DD∆

Myliobatiformes

Dasyatidae

12

Brevitrygon imbricata (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)*

DD∆

13

Brevitrygon walga (Müller & Henle, 1841)*

NT∆

14

Himantura marginata (Blyth, 1860)**

DD∆

15

Himantura uarnak (Gmelin, 1789)*

VU∆

16

Pastinachus sephen (Forsskål, 1775)*

DD∆

17

Aetobatus flagellum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)*

EN∆

18

Aetobatus ocellatus (Kuhl, 1823)*

NE

19

Aetomylaeus nichofii (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)*

VU∆,B

20

Chitala Chitala (Hamilton, 1822)*

ENCAMP

21

Notopterus notopterus (Pallas, 1769)*

LC∆

Sphyrnidae

Rhinopristiformes

Myliobatidae

Osteoglossiformes

Notopteridae

Chilika Development Authority

3

OrderElopiformes

Anguilliformes

FamilyConservation
status22

Elops machnata (Forsskål, 1775)*

LC∆

Megalopidae

23

Megalops cyprinoides (Broussonet, 1782)*

DD∆

Anguillidae

24

Anguilla bengalensis (Gray, 1831)*

NT∆

25

Anguilla bicolor McClelland, 1844*

NT∆

Muraenidae

26

Strophidon sathete (Hamilton, 1822)*

NE

Ophichthidae

27

Lamnostoma orientalis (McClelland, 1844)

LC∆

28

Pisodonophis boro (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

29

Pisodonophis cancrivorus (Richardson, 1848)

NE

30

Congresox talabonoides (Bleeker, 1853)*

VUM,B

31

Muraenesox bagio (Hamilton,1822)**

NE

32

Muraenesox cinereus (Forsskål, 1775)*

VUM,B

33

Dussumieria acuta Valenciennes, 1847

NE

34

Dussumieria elopsoides Bleeker, 1849**

NE

35

Amblygaster leiogaster (Valenciennes, 1847)**

NE

36

Amblygaster sirm (Walbaum, 1792)

NE

37

Anodontostoma chacunda (Hamilton, 1822)*

NE

38

Corica soborna Hamilton, 1822*

LC∆

39

Ehirava fluviatilis Deraniyagala, 1929**

NE

40

Escualosa thoracata (Valenciennes, 1847)*

NE

41

Gonialosa manmina (Hamilton, 1822)*

VUCAMP

42

Gudusia chapra (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

43

Hilsa kelee (Cuvier, 1829)*

NE

44

Nematalosa nasus (Bloch, 1795)*

LC∆

45

Sardinella fimbriata (Valenciennes, 1847)**

NE

46

Sardinella longiceps Valenciennes, 1847**

LC∆

47

Sardinella melanura (Cuvier, 1829)

NE

48

Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822)*

VUNBFGR,B

49

Tenualosa toli (Valenciennes, 1847)**

NE

50

Setipinna phasa (Hamilton, 1822)

LC∆

51

Stolephorus baganensis Hardenberg, 1933*

NE

52

Stolephorus commersonnii Lacepède, 1803*

NE

53

Stolephorus dubiosus Wongratana, 1983*

NE

54

Stolephorus indicus (van Hasselt, 1823)*

NE

55

Thryssa gautamiensis Babu Rao, 1971**

DD∆

56

Thryssa hamiltonii Gray, 1835*

NE

57

Thryssa kammalensis (Bleeker, 1849)

NE

Dussumieriidae

Clupeidae

Engraulidae

4Species

Elopidae

Muraenesocidae

Clupeiformes

Sl. No.

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOrderFamilySl. No.

Species

Conservation
status58

Thryssa kammalensoides Wongratana, 1983

NE

59

Thryssa malabarica (Bloch, 1795)*

NE

60

Thryssa mystax (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)*

LC∆

61

Thryssa polybranchialis Wongratana, 1983*

NE

62

Thryssa purava (Hamilton, 1822)*

NE

63

Thryssa setirostris (Broussonet, 1782)**

NE

64

Thryssa vitrirostris (Gilchrist & Thompson, 1908)**

NE

Chirocentridae

65

Chirocentrus dorab (Forsskål, 1775)

NE

Pristigasteridae

66

Ilisha elongata (Anonymous [Bennett], 1830)**NE

67

Ilisha megaloptera (Swainson, 1839)*

68

Ilisha melastoma (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

NE

ENNBFGR

69

Opisthopterus tardoore (Cuvier, 1829)**NE

Gonorynchiformes

Chanidae70

Chanos chanos (Forsskål, 1775)*

NE

Cypriniformes

Cyprinidae

71

Amblypharyngodon mola (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

72

Bangana ariza (Hamilton, 1807)

LC∆

73

Gibelion catla (Hamiltton, 1822)*

VUCAMP74

Chela cachius (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

75

Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

76

Cirrhinus reba (Hamilton, 1822)*

VUCAMP

77

Crossocheilus latius (Hamilton, 1822)*

VUNBFGR

78

Danio rerio (Hamilton, 1822)

LC∆

79

Esomus danrica (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

80

Labeo boga (Hamilton, 1822)**

LC∆

81

Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

82

Labeo gonius (Hamilton, 1822)**

LC∆

83

Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

84

Laubuka laubuca (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

85

Osteobrama peninsularis Silas, 1952**

DD∆

86

Osteobrama vigorsii (Sykes, 1839)

LC∆

87

Pethia ticto (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

88

Puntius chola (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

89

Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

90

Puntius vittatus Day, 1865

LC∆

Chilika Development Authority

5

OrderSiluriformes

FamilyLC∆

92

Rasbora rasbora (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

93

Salmostoma bacaila (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

94

Systomus sarana (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

Cobitidae

95

Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Hamilton, 1822)♦

LC∆

Bagridae

96

Mystus cavasius (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

97

Mystus gulio (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

98

Mystus vittatus (Bloch, 1794)*

VUCAMP,B

99

Sperata seenghala (Sykes, 1839)*

LC∆

100

Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch, 1794)*

ENCAMP,B

101

Ompok pabda (Hamilton, 1822)*

VUNBFGR

102

Wallago attu (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)*

NT∆

103

Ailia coila (Hamilton, 1822)*

VUCAMP,B

104

Eutropiichthys vacha (Hamilton, 1822)

ENCAMP,B

105

Pachypterus atherinoides (Bloch, 1794)***

LC∆

106

Silonia silondia (Hamilton, 1822)♦

VUNBFGR

Pangasiidae

107

Pangasius pangasius (Hamilton, 1822)*

VUNBFGR,B

Sisoridae

108

Bagarius bagarius (Hamilton, 1822)*

VUNBFGR109

Bagarius yarrelli (Sykes, 1839)**

ENNBFGR

Clariidae

110

Clarias magur (Hamilton, 1822)*

EN∆

Heteropneustidae

111

Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794)*

VUNBFGR

Ariidae

112

Arius arius (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

113

Arius maculatus (Thunberg, 1792)

NE

114

Nemapteryx caelata (Valenciennes, 1840)*

NE

115

Osteogeneiosus militaris (Linnaeus, 1758)*

NE

116

Plicofollis layardi (Günther, 1866)

NE

117

Plotosus canius Hamilton, 1822*

NE

118

Plotosus lineatus (Thunberg, 1787)*

NE

119

Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795)**

NE

120

Synodus myops (Forster, 1801)**

NE

121

Planiliza macrolepis (Smith, 1846)*

LC∆

122

Planiliza melinopterus (Valenciennes, 1836)*

LC∆

123

Chelon parsia (Hamilton, 1822)*

NE

124

Chelon planiceps (Valenciennes, 1836)*

DD

125

Planiliza subviridis (Valenciennes, 1836)*

NE

126

Ellochelon vaigiensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825)

LC∆

Plotosidae

6Conservation
statusRasbora daniconius (Hamilton, 1822)*

Schilbeidae

Mugiliformes

Species91

Siluridae

Aulopiformes

Sl. No.

Synodontidae

Mugilidae

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOrderAtheriniformes

FamilyAtherinidae

Sl. No.

Species

Conservation
status127

Osteomugil cunnesius (Valenciennes, 1836)*

NE

128

Crenimugil seheli (Forsskål, 1775)*

NE

129

Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758*

LC∆

130

Rhinomugil corsula (Hamilton, 1822)*

VUNBFGR,B

131

Valamugil speigleri (Bleeker, 1858)*

NE

132

Atherinomorus duodecimalis (Valenciennes, 1835)**

NE

133

Atherinomorus lacunosus (Forster, 1801)**

NE

Cyprinodontiformes

Aplocheilidae

134

Aplocheilus panchax (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

Beloniformes

Belonidae

135

Strongylura leiura (Bleeker, 1850)*

NE

136

Strongylura strongylura (van Hasselt, 1823)*

NE

137

Xenentodon cancila (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

138

Hemiramphus far (Forsskål, 1775)**

NE

139

Hyporhamphus limbatus (Valenciennes, 1847)*

LC∆

Adrianichthyidae

140

Oryzias dancena (Hamilon, 1822)*

LC∆

Syngnathidae

141

Hippichthys cyanospilos (Bleeker, 1854)**

NE

142

Hippocampus fuscus Rüppell, 1838*

VUB

143

Ichthyocampus carce (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

Synbranchidae

144

Ophisternon bengalense McClelland, 1844**

LC∆

Mastacembelidae

145

Macrognathus aral (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)*

LC∆

146

Macrognathus pancalus Hamilton, 1822*

LC∆

147

Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepède, 1800)*

LC∆

Scorpaenidae

148

Pterois radiata Cuvier, 1829*

NE

Tetrarogidae

149

Tetraroge niger (Cuvier, 1829)**

LC∆

Synanceiidae*

150

Trachicephalus uranoscopus (Bloch & Schneider,
1801)***

NE

Platycephalidae

151

Cociella crocodilus (Cuvier, 1829)**

NE

152

Kumococius rodericensis (Cuvier, 1829)**

NE

153

Platycephalus indicus (Linnaeus, 1758)*

DD∆

154

Ambassis ambassis (Lacepède, 1802)*

LC∆

155

Ambassis gymnocephalus (Lacepède, 1802)*

LC∆

156

Chanda nama Hamilton, 1822*

LC∆

157

Parambassis ranga (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

Latidae

158

Lates calcarifer (Bloch, 1790)*

VUP

Serranidae

159

Epinephelus coioides (Hamilton, 1822)**

NT∆

160

Epinephelus lanceolatus (Bloch, 1790)♦

VU∆,B

161

Epinephelus malabaricus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)**

NT∆

162

Epinephelus tauvina (Forsskål, 1775)*

DD∆

Hemiramphidae

Syngnathiformes

Synbranchiformes

Scorpaeniformes

Perciformes

Ambassidae

Chilika Development Authority

7

Order

Sl. No.

Sillaginidae

163

Sillaginopsis panijus (Hamilton, 1822)♦

NE

164

Sillago sihama (Forsskål, 1775)*

NE

165

Sillago vincenti McKay, 1980**

NE

Lactariidae

166

Lactarius lactarius (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)**NE

Rachycentridae

167

Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766)*NE

Echeneidae

168

Echeneis naucrates Linnaeus, 1758*

NE

Carangidae

169

Alectis indica (Rüppell, 1830)*

NE

170

Alepes djedaba (Forsskål, 1775)*

NE

171

Atule mate (Cuvier, 1833)*

NE

172

Carangoides ferdau (Forsskål, 1775)***

NE

173

Carangoides gymnostethus (Cuvier, 1833)

NE

174

Carangoides oblongus (Cuvier, 1833)***

NE

175

Carangoides praeustus (Anonymous [Bennett], 1830)*

NE

176

Caranx ignobilis (Forsskål, 1775)

NE

177

Caranx melampygus Cuvier, 1833

NE

178

Caranx papuensis Alleyne & MacLeay, 1877***

NE

179

Caranx sexfasciatus Quoy & Gaimard, 1825*

LC∆

180

Megalaspis cordyla (Linnaeus, 1758)*

NE

181

Parastromateus niger (Bloch, 1795)

NE

182

Scomberoides commersonnianus Lacepède, 1801**

NE

183

Scomberoides lysan (Forsskål, 1775)♦

NE

184

Scomberoides tala (Cuvier, 1832)*

NE

185

Scomberoides tol (Cuvier, 1832)**

NE

186

Selar boops (Cuvier, 1833)**

NE

187

Selar crumenophthalmus (Bloch, 1793)**

NE

188

Selaroides leptolepis (Cuvier, 1833)*

NE

189

Trachinotus baillonii (Lacepede, 1801)***

NE

190

Trachinotus blochii (Lacepède, 1801)

NE

191

Trachinotus botla (Shaw, 1803)***

NE

192

Trachinotus mookalee Cuvier, 1832**

NE

193

Aurigequula fasciata (Lacepède, 1803)**

NE

194

Secutor insidiator (Bloch, 1787)*

NE

195

Secutor ruconius (Hamilton, 1822)**

NE

196

Eubleekeria splendens (Cuvier, 1829)

LC∆

197

Gazza minuta (Bloch, 1795)*

LC∆

198

Karalla daura (Cuvier, 1829)

NE

Leiognathidae

8Species

Conservation
statusFamilyICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOrderFamilySl. No.

Species

Conservation
status199

Karalla dussumieri (Valenciennes, 1835)*

NE

200

Leiognathus equulus (Forsskål, 1775)*

LC∆

201

Nuchequula blochii (Valenciennes, 1835)*

NE

202

Nuchequula gerreoides (Bleeker, 1851)**

NE

203

Photopectoralis bindus (Valenciennes, 1835)**

NE

Lethrinidae*

204

Lethrinus lentjan (Lacepede, 1802)***

NE

Lutjanidae

205

Lutjanus argentimaculatus (Forsskål, 1775)*

NE

206

Lutjanus indicus Allen, White & Erdmann 2013*

NE

207

Lutjanus johnii (Bloch, 1792)*

NE

208

Lutjanus kasmira (Forsskål, 1775)*

NE

209

Lutjanus rivulatus (Cuvier, 1828)***NE

Datnioididae

210

Datnioides polota (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

Gerreidae

211

Gerres erythrourus (Bloch, 1791)**

NE

212

Gerres filamentosus Cuvier, 1829*

LC∆

213

Gerres limbatus Cuvier, 1830*

NE

214

Gerres macracanthus Bleeker, 1854♦

NE

215

Gerres oyena (Forsskål, 1775)*

NE

216

Gerres phaiya Iwatsuki & Heemstra, 2001*

NE

217

Gerres setifer (Hamilton, 1822)*

NE

218

Plectorhinchus gibbosus (Lacepède, 1802)

LC∆

219

Pomadasys argenteus (Forsskål, 1775)*

VUB

220

Pomadasys kaakan (Cuvier, 1830)**

NE

221

Pomadasys multimaculatus (Playfair, 1867)**

NE

222

Acanthopagrus berda (Forsskål, 1775)*

NE

223

Acanthopagrus longispinnis (Valenciennes 1830)♦

NE

224

Argyrops spinifer (Forsskål, 1775)

NE

225

Crenidens crenidens (Forsskål, 1775)*

NE

226

Rhabdosargus sarba (Forsskål, 1775)*

NE

Nemipteridae

227

Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch, 1791)**

NE

Sciaenidae

228

Daysciaena albida (Cuvier, 1830)*

NE

229

Dendrophysa russelii (Cuvier, 1829)*

NE

230

Johnius amblycephalus (Bleeker, 1855)♦

NE

231

Johnius belangerii (Cuvier, 1830)*

NE

232

Johnius borneensis (Bleeker, 1851)***

NE

233

Johnius carutta Bloch, 1793**

NE

234

Johnius coitor (Hamilton, 1822)

LC∆

Haemulidae

Sparidae

Chilika Development Authority

9OrderFamilySpecies

235

Johnius dussumieri (Cuvier, 1830)

NE

236

Johnius macropterus (Bleeker, 1853)*

NE

237

Nibea maculata (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)**

NE

238

Otolithes ruber (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)**

NE

239

Otolithoides biauritus (Cantor, 1849)

VUM,B

240

Otolithoides pama (Hamilton, 1822)*

NE

241

Paranibea semiluctuosa (Cuvier, 1830)*

NE

242

Protonibea diacanthus (Lacepède, 1802)*

VUM,B

243

Eleutheronema tetradactylum (Shaw, 1804)*

NE

244

Leptomelanosoma indicum (Shaw, 1804)*

VUM,B

245

Polydactylus plebeius (Broussonet, 1782)**

NE

246

Polydactylus sextarius (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)*

NE

Mullidae247

Upeneus sulphureus Cuvier, 1829**

NE

Drepaneidae

248

Drepane punctata (Linnaeus, 1758)*

NE

Monodactylidae

249

Monodactylus argenteus (Linnaeus, 1758)*

NE

250

Monodactylus kottelati Pethiyagoda, 1991**

NE

Nandidae

251

Nandus nandus (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

Terapontidae

252

Pelates quadrilineatus (Bloch, 1790)♦

NE

253

Terapon jarbua (Forsskål, 1775)*

LC∆

254

Terapon puta Cuvier, 1829*

NE

255

Terapon theraps Cuvier, 1829*

LC∆

Apogonidae*

256

Taeniamia macroptera (Cuvier, 1828)***NE

Cichlidae

257

Etroplus suratensis (Bloch, 1790)*

LC∆

258

Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852)**NT∆

Uranoscopidae

259

Ichthyscopus lebeck (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)*

NE

Blenniidae

260

Omobranchus zebra (Bleeker, 1868)*

NE

Eleotridae

261

Butis butis (Hamilton, 1822)♦

LC∆

262

Eleotris fusca (Forster, 1801)♦

LC∆

263

Eleotris melanosoma (Bleeker, 1852)**

LC∆

264

Acentrogobius cyanomos (Bleeker, 1849)*

NE

265

Acentrogobius griseus (Day, 1876)

NE

266

Acentrogobius masoni (Day, 1873)♦

NE

267

Acentrogobius nebulosus (Forsskål, 1775)**

NE

268

Acentrogobius viridipunctatus (Valenciennes, 1837)

NE

269

Amoya madraspatensis (Day, 1868)

NE

270

Bathygobius fuscus (Rüppell, 1830)

LC∆

Polynemidae

Gobiidae

10

Conservation
statusSl. No.

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOrderFamilySl. No.

Species

Conservation
status271

Bathygobius ostreicola (Chaudhuri, 1916)

DD∆

272

Brachygobius nunus (Hamilton, 1822)

NE

273

Drombus globiceps (Hora, 1923)*

LC∆

274

Favonigobius reichei (Bleeker, 1843)***

LR/nt

275

Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

276

Gobiopterus chuno (Hamilton, 1822)

DD∆

277

Oligolepis acutipennis (Valenciennes, 1837)♦

DD∆

278

Oligolepis cylindriceps (Hora, 1923)*

NE

279

Oxyurichthys microlepis (Bleeker, 1849)*

NE

280

Oxyurichthys tentacularis (Valenciennes, 1837)*

NE

281

Parapocryptes rictuosus (Valenciennes, 1837)

NE

282

Periophthalmus kalolo Lesson, 1831*

NE

283

Psammogobius biocellatus (Valenciennes, 1837)*

LC∆

284

Pseudapocryptes elongatus (Cuvier,1816)

LC∆

285

Pseudogobiopsis oligactis (Bleeker, 1875)

LC∆

286

Pseudogobius javanicus (Bleeker, 1856)

NE

287

Stigmatogobius minima (Hora, 1923)

NE

288

Taenioides anguillaris (Linnaeus, 1758)***

NE

289

Taenioides buchanani (Day, 1873)

NE

290

Trypauchen vagina (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)*

NE

291

Yongeichthys criniger (Valenciennes, 1837)♦

NE

292

Ephippus orbis (Bloch, 1787)**

NE

293

Platax orbicularis (Forsskål, 1775)**

NE

Scatophagidae

294

Scatophagus argus (Linnaeus, 1766)*LC∆

Siganidae

295

Siganus canaliculatus (Park, 1797)**

NE

296

Siganus javus (Linnaeus, 1766)*

NE

297

Siganus vermiculatus (Valenciennes, 1835)*

LC∆

298

Acanthurus mata (Cuvier, 1829)**

LC∆

299

Acanthurus triostegus (Linnaeus, 1758)**

LC∆

300

Sphyraena jello Cuvier, 1829**

NE

301

Sphyraena putnamae Jordan & Seale, 1905**

NE

302

Sphyraena obtusata Cuvier, 1829***

NE

303

Eupleurogrammus glossodon (Bleeker, 1860)**

NE

304

Lepturacanthus savala (Cuvier, 1829)**

NE

305

Trichiurus lepturus Linnaeus, 1758**

NE

Ephippidae

Acanthuridae

Sphyraenidae

Trichiuridae

Chilika Development Authority

11Order

Sl. No.

Scombridae

306

Euthynnus affinis (Cantor, 1849)**

LC∆

307

Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier, 1816)**

DD∆

308

Scomberomorus lineolatus (Cuvier, 1829)*

LC∆

309

Anabas cobojius (Hamilton, 1822)*

DD∆

310

Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792)*

DD∆

311

Trichogaster fasciata Bloch & Schneider, 1801*

LC∆

312

Trichogaster lalius (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

313

Channa gachua (Hamilton, 1822)**

LC∆

314

Channa marulius (Hamilton, 1822)**

LC∆

315

Channa punctata (Bloch, 1793)*

LC∆

316

Channa striata (Bloch, 1793)*

LC∆

317

Pseudorhombus arsius (Hamilton, 1822)*

NE

318

Pseudorhombus micrognathus Norman, 1927**

NE

319

Pseudorhombus triocellatus (Bloch & Schneider,
1801)**

NE

320

Brachirus orientalis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)*

NE

321

Solea ovata Richardson, 1846*

NE

322

Zebrias synapturoides (Jenkins, 1910)***

NE

323

Cynoglossus lida (Bleeker, 1851)**

NE

324

Cynoglossus lingua Hamilton, 1822*

NE

325

Cynoglossus puncticeps (Richardson, 1846)*

NE

Triacanthidae

326

Triacanthus biaculeatus (Bloch, 1786)*

NE

Balistidae

327

Abalistes stellaris (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)**

NE

Tetraodontidae

328

Arothron immaculatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)***

NE

329

Arothron reticularis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

NE

330

Arothron stellatus (Anonymous, 1798)

NE

331

Chelonodon patoca (Hamilton, 1822)*

NE

332

Dichotomyctere fluviatilis (Hamilton, 1822)*

NE

333

Takifugu oblongus (Bloch, 1786)*

NE

334

Lagocephalus lunaris (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

NE

335

Leiodon cutcutia (Hamilton, 1822)*

LC∆

336

Diodon hystrix Linnaeus, 1758**

NEAnabantidae

Osphronemidae

Channidae

Pleuronectiformes

Paralichthyidae

Soleidae

Cynoglossidae

Tetraodontiformes

Diodontidae
***
**
*
•

12

Species

Conservation
statusFamilyNew records from Chilika Lake under ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZM Consultancy project (2011-2016)
New records documented by CDA (Mohapatra et al., 2007; Mohanty et al., 2008; Mohanty et al., 2015; Mohapatra etal., 2015)
Fish diversity inventory by CDA (Mohapatra et al., 2007; Mohanty et al., 2008; Mohanty et al., 2015; Mohapatra et al.,2015)
Fish diversity inventory by ICAR-CIFRI under ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZM Consultancy Project (2011-16) which were notcollected by CDA earlier.

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute∆IUCN Red List Status
NBFGR - National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (2010)
PPooniah (1993)
BBarman et al. (2007)
MMenon (2004)
CAMP - Conservation Assessment and Management Plan Workshops (1998)

CHECKLIST OF SHELLFISHESThe shellfish (prawns and shrimps, brachyuran crabs and lobsters) species recorded
from the Chilika lake stands at 66 (29 prawn species, 35 brachyuran crab species and2 lobster species) distributed among 26 families. The updated checklist of prawns
and shrimps has 29 species belonging to 17 genera and 10 families under the order,
decapoda; while there are 35 brachyuran crabs species belonging to 27 genera, 15
families and under the order Decapoda. Two lobster species belonging to the genus
Panulirus and under the family Palinuridae are presented. The details checklist ispresented in Table 2.
Table 2. Updated checklist of shell fishes of Chilika Lake
FamilySl.
No.

Conservation
statusSpeciesPrawns and shrimps
Penaeidae

1

Fenneropenaeus indicus (H. milne Edwards, 1837)

NE

2

Metapenaeus affinis (H. milne Edwards, 1837)

NE

3

Metapenaeus dobsoni (Miers, 1878)

NE

4

Metapenaeus ensis (De Haan, 1844)

NE

5

Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius, 1798)

NE

6

Penaeus canaliculatus (Oliver, 1811)

NE

7

Penaeus monodon Fabricius, 1798

NE

8

Penaeus semisulcatus De Haan, 1844

NE

Luciferidae

9

Lucifer hanseni Nobili, 1905

NE

Palaemonidae

10

Cuapetes demani (Kemp, 1915)

NE

11

Exopalaemon styliferus (H. milne Edwards, 1840)

NE

12

Macrobrachium equidens (Dana, 1852)

LC

13

Macrobrachium lamarrei lamarrei (H. milne Edwards, 1837)

LC

14

Macrobrachium malcolmsonii (H. milne Edwards, 1844)

LC

15

Macrobrachium rosenbergii (D. Man, 1879)

LC

16

Macrobrachium rude (Heller, 1862)

LC

17

Macrobrachium scabriculum (Heller, 1862)

LC

Chilika Development Authority

13

Sl.
No.

Species

18

Phycomenes indicus (Kemp, 1915)

NE

19

Alpheus lobidens De Haan, 1849

NE

20

Alpheus malabaricus (Fabricius, 1775)

NE

21

Alpheus paludicola Kemp, 1915

NE

22

Athanas polymorphus Kemp, 1915

NE

Ogyrididae

23

Ogyrides striaticauda Kemp, 1915

NE

Atyidae24

Caridina nilotica (Roux, 1833)

NE

25

Caridina propinqua De Mann, 1908

NE

Crangonidae

26

Philocheras hendersoni (Kemp, 1915)

NE

Pasiphaeidae

27

Leptochela aculeocaudata Paulson, 1875

NE

Callianassidae

28

Neocallichirus maxima (A. Milne-Edwards, 1870)

NE

Upogebiidae

29

Wolffogebia heterocheir (Kemp, 1915)

NE

1

Ashtoret lunaris (Forsskal, 1775)

NE

2

Matuta planipes Fabricius, 1798

NE

Gecarcinucidae

3

Cardisoma carnifex (Herbst, 1796)

NE

Leucosiidae

4

FamilyAlpheidae

Conservation
statusBrachyuran crabs
Calappidae

NE

5Philyra malefactrix (Kemp, 1915)

NE

Hymenosomatidae

6

Philyra alcocki Kemp, 1915

NE

Epialtidae

7

Elamena (Trigonoplax) cimex Kemp, 1915

NE

Pilumnidae

8Doclea muricata (Herbst, 1788)

NE

Portunidae

9Benthopanope indica (de Man, 1887)

NE

10

Charybdis callianassa (Herbst, 1789)

NE

11

Charybdis feriatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

NE

12

Podophthalmus vigil (Fabricius, 1798)

NE

13

Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758)

NE

14

Portunus sanguinolentus (Herbst, 1783)

NE

15

Scylla serrata (Forsskal, 1775)

NE

16

Scylla tranquebarica (Fabricius, 1798)

NE

17

Thalamita crenata (Milne-Edwards, 1834)

NE

18

Metopograpsus messor (Forsskal, 1775)

NE

19

Metopograpsus quadridentatus Stimpson, 1858

NE

20

Neosarmatium meinerti (de Man, 1887)

NE

Grapsidae

14

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteFamilySl.
No.

Conservation
statusSpecies

Plagusiidae

21

Pachygrapsus propinquus de Man, 1908

NE

Sesarmidae

22

Plagusia squamosa (Herbst, 1790)

NE

23

Nanosesarma batavicum (Moreira, 1903)

NE

24

Parasesarma plicatum (Latreille, 1806)

NE

25

Ptychognathus onyx Alcock, 1900

NE

26

Varuna litterata (Fabricius, 1798)

NE

27

Baruna socialis Stebbing, 1904

NE

29

Camptandrium sexdentatum Stimpson, 1858

NE

30

Dotilla intermedia de Man, 1888

NE

28

Dotilla myctiroides (Milne-Edwards, 1852)

NE

Macrophthalmidae

31

Dotilla pertinax Kemp, 1915

NE

Ocypodidae

32

Euplax leptophthalmus H. Milne Edwards, 1852

NE

33

Ocypode ceratophthalmus (Pallas, 1772)

NE

34

Ocypode macrocera H. Milne Edwards, 1852

NE

35

Ocypode platytarsis H. Milne Edwards, 1852

NE

Varunidae

Camptandriidae

Dotillidae

Spiny lobsters

Uca annulipes (Milne-Edwards, 1837)

Palinuridae

Panulirus ornatus (Fabricius, 1798)

LC∆

Panulirus polyphagus (Herbst, 1793)LC∆

CONSERVATION STATUS
Review of literature on the biodiversity status of fishes and threatened fishes of India
based on IUCN criteria (Ponniah, 1993; Molur and Walker, 1998; Menon, 2004; Barman
et al., 2007; NBFGR, 2010; IUCN., 2018; Froese and Pauly, 2015) documented a total listof 156 species under 62 families from Chilika Lake which were assessed for biodiversity
status. In total, 35 species in 25 families were recorded as threatened and categorizedunder Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU) (Table 3). Further,
14 more species in nine families are categorized as Near Threatened (NT) that needconservation measures unless they may slip to threatened category very soon. Only 91
species forming 27.08% of the total ichthyofaunal record of 336 were assessed as Least
Concern (LC), whereas 16 species (4.76%) were categorized as Data Deficient (DD).
Most importantly, 180 species (53.57%) of fishes of Chilika Lake were Not Evaluated(NE) for their conservation status. In other words, status of 53.57% of fishes is unknown,
and need to be evaluated at least at the national level. There has not been assessment
for penaeid prawn and shrimps species recorded from Chilika for conservation status
except for 6 freshwater prawn species (Macrobrachium sp.) among shellfish group.

Chilika Development Authority

15

16

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteAcanthuridae (Surgeon fishes)

Adrianichthydae (Rice fish)

Ambassidae (Perchlets, glass fishes)

Anabantidae (Climbing perches)

Anguillidae (Freshwater eels)

Aplocheilidae (Asian revulines)

Ariidae (Sea catfish)

Bagridae (Bagrid catfishes)

Belonidae (Needle fishes)

Carangidae (Jacks, Trevallies, Pompanos & Scads)

Carcharhinidae (Requiem sharks)

Channidae (Snakeheads, Murrels)

Cichlidae (Cichlids)

Clariidae (Air-breathing catfish)

Clupeidae (Herrings & allies)

Cobitidae (Loaches)

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Family

1

Sl.
No

1

CR

1

Finfishes

EN

2

1

VU

2

1

1

1

Total threatened species

1

4

2

NT

1

4

1

4

1

1

3

1

1

4

1

2

LC

2

DD

1

4

2

4

4

1

1

3

1

1

2

2

4

1

2

Total

Conservation status (Number of species by family)

1

6

1

2

4

5

1

1

4

1

1

2

2

4

1

2

Total species
assessed

Table 3. Assessment of conservation status of fishes and shellfishes of Chilika Lake (Families alphabetically arranged)

Chilika Development Authority

17

Cyprinidae (Carps & minnows)

Dasyatidae (Stingrays)

Datnioididae (Freshwater triple tails)

Eleotridae (Gudgeons)Elopidae (Tenpounders)Engraulidae (Anchovies)

Gerreidae (Silver biddies)

Gobiidae (Gobies)

Haemulidae (Grunts & Rubberlips)

Hemiramphidae (Halfbeaks)

Hemiscyllidae (Bamboo sharks)

Heteropneustidae (Airsac catfish)

Latidae (Lates perches/Asian Seabass)

Leiognathidae (Pony fishes, Silverbellies)

Lethrinidae (Emperors or scavengers)

Lutjanidae

Mastacembelidae (Spiny eels)

Megalopidae (Tarpons)

Mugilidae (Mullets)

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

Family

17

Sl.
No
CR

EN

1

1

1

1

1

3

VU

1

1

1

1

1

3

Total threatened species

1

1

1

NT

4

3

1

1

3

1

1

6

2

2

1

3

1

20

LC

1

1

3

1

3

1

DD

5

1

3

1

1

3

1

1

1

10

2

3

1

3

1

4

21

Total

Conservation status (Number of species by family)

6

1

3

1

1

3

1

1

1

1

2

10

2

3

1

3

1

5

24

Total species
assessed

18

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute

Muraenesocidae (Pike congers)

Myliobatidae (Eaglerays)

Nandidae (Leaf fishes)

Narcinidae*

Notopteridae (Featherbacks)

Ophichthidae (Snake eels)

Osphronemidae (Gouramies)

Pangasiidae (Shark catfish)

Platycephalidae (Flatheads)

Polynemidae (Threadfin fishes)

Pristidae (Saw fish)

Pristigasteridae (Pellonas)

Rhinobatidae (Guitar fishes)

Scatophagidae (Scats)

Schilbeidae (Schilbid catfishes)

Sciaenidae (Croakers)

Scombridae (Mackerels, Seerfishes, Tunas, Albacores)

Serranidae (Groupers, Rock-cods)

Siganidae (Spinsfoots, Rabbitfishes)

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

Family

36

Sl.
No
CR

1

1

1

1

1

EN

1

2

2

1

1

1

1

2

VU

1

2

3

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

2

Total threatened species

2

NT

1

2

1

1

1

2

2

1

1

LC

1

1

1

1

DD

1

3

3

1

1

1

1

2

2

1

1

1

Total

Conservation status (Number of species by family)

1

4

3

3

4

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

2

2

1

1

2

2

Total species
assessedChilika Development Authority

19

Total

Pelaemonidae: Macrobrachium sp. (Freshwater prawns)

5.77

9
16.03

25
22.44

35

1

8.97

14

6

58.33

1

2

CR-Critically Endangered; EN- Endangered; VU-Vulnerable; NT-Near Threatened; LC-Least Concern; DD-Data Deficient1

Shellfishes

0.64

Tetrarogidae (Waspfishes)62% to the total assessment of species

91

Tetraodontidae (Puffers)

61

1

1

Terapontidae (Terapon perches)

60

1

1

Syngnathidae (Pipe fishes & Sea horses)

1

59

1

Synbranchidae (Swamp eels)

1

1

LC

58

1

2

2

NT

Sphyraenidae (Hammerheaded shark)

1

1

Total threatened species

57

1

1

VU

Sisoridae (Sisorid catfish)

EN

Siluridae (Eurasian catfishes)CR

56

Family

10.26

16

DD

6

77.56

121

1

1

2

1

1

1

1

Total

Conservation status (Number of species by family)

55

Sl.
No

6

100.00

156

1

1

2

2

1

2

2

3

Total species
assessedTable 4 Finfishes of updated inventory list not included in the monograph book
FamilySl.
No.

Orectolobiformes

Hemiscyllidae

1

Chiloscyllium indicum (Gmelin, 1789)**

Carcharhiniformes

Carcharhininidae

2

Carcharhinus leucas (Müller & Henle, 1839)**

Myliobatiformes

Dasyatidae

3

Himantura marginata (Blyth, 1860)**

Myliobatidae

4

Aetobatus flagellum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)*

5

Aetobatus ocellatus (Kuhl, 1823)*

6

Aetomylaeus nichofii (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)*

Order

Species

Osteoglossiformes

Notopteridae

7

Chitala Chitala (Hamilton, 1822)*

Anguilliformes

Muraenidae

8Strophidon sathete (Hamilton, 1822)*

Ophichthidae

9

Pisodonophis boro (Hamilton, 1822)*

Clupeidae

10

Ehirava fluviatilis Deraniyagala, 1929**

11

Sardinella fimbriata (Valenciennes, 1847)**

12

Sardinella longiceps Valenciennes, 1847**

13

Stolephorus baganensis Hardenberg, 1933*

14

Thryssa gautamiensis Babu Rao, 1971**

15

Crossocheilus latius (Hamilton, 1822)*

16

Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822)*

17

Rasbora rasbora (Hamilton, 1822)*

Bagridae18

Sperata seenghala (Sykes, 1839)*

Sisoridae

19

Bagarius bagarius (Hamilton, 1822)*

20

Bagarius yarrelli (Sykes, 1839)**

Plotosidae

21

Plotosus lineatus (Thunberg, 1787)*

Synodontidae

22

Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795)**

23

Synodus myops (Forster, 1801)**

Clupeiformes

Engraulidae

Cypriniformes

Siluriformes

Aulopiformes

Cyprinidae

Beloniformes

Belonidae

24

Strongylura leiura (Bleeker, 1850)*

Syngnathiformes

Syngnathidae

25

Hippichthys cyanospilos (Bleeker, 1854)**

Synbranchiformes

Synbranchidae

26

Ophisternon bengalense McClelland, 1844**

Scorpaeniformes

Platycephalidae

27

Kumococius rodericensis (Cuvier, 1829)**

Perciformes

Lactariidae

28

Lactarius lactarius (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)**

Carangidae

29

Atule mate (Cuvier, 1833)*

Leiognathidae

30

Secutor insidiator (Bloch, 1787)*

31

Secutor ruconius (Hamilton, 1822)**

32

Gazza minuta (Bloch, 1795)*

33

Karalla dussumieri (Valenciennes, 1835)*20

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute

34

Nuchequula gerreoides (Bleeker, 1851)**

Haemulidae

35

Pomadasys multimaculatus (Playfair, 1867)**

Nemipteridae

36

Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch, 1791)**

Sciaenidae

37

Nibea maculata (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)**

38

Otolithes ruber (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)**

39

Otolithoides pama (Hamilton, 1822)*

40

Paranibea semiluctuosa (Cuvier, 1830)*

41

Protonibea diacanthus (Lacepède, 1802)*42

Leptomelanosoma indicum (Shaw, 1804)*

43

Polydactylus plebeius (Broussonet, 1782)**

44

Polydactylus sextarius (Bloch & Schneider,
1801)*

Uranoscopidae

45

Ichthyscopus lebeck (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)*

Blenniidae

46

Omobranchus zebra (Bleeker, 1868)*

Gobiidae47

Acentrogobius cyanomos (Bleeker, 1849)*

48

Acentrogobius nebulosus (Forsskål, 1775)**

49

Oligolepis cylindriceps (Hora, 1923)*

50

Oxyurichthys tentacularis (Valenciennes, 1837)*

51

Eupleurogrammus glossodon (Bleeker, 1860)**

52

Lepturacanthus savala (Cuvier, 1829)**

53

Trichiurus lepturus Linnaeus, 1758**

54

Euthynnus affinis (Cantor, 1849)**

55

Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier, 1816)**

56

Scomberomorus lineolatus (Cuvier, 1829)*

Anabantidae

57

Anabas cobojius (Hamilton, 1822)*

Channidae

58

Channa gachua (Hamilton, 1822)**

Soleidae59

Brachirus orientalis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)*

Tetraodontidae

60

Dichotomyctere fluviatilis (Hamilton, 1822)*

61

Takifugu oblongus (Bloch, 1786)*

Polynemidae

Trichiuridae

Scombridae

Pleuronectiformes

Chilika Development Authority

21

Table 5 Shellfishes of updated inventory list not included in the monograph book
Order

FamilySl. No.

Species

Shell fish Crabs
Decapoda

1

Matuta planipes (Fabricius, 1798)*

2

Ashtoret lunaris (Forsskål, 1775)**

Leucosiidae (Nut crabs)

3

Philyra alcocki (Kemp, 1915)*

Ocypodidae (Ghost crabs
and Fiddler crabs)

4

Ocypode macrocera (Edwards, 1852)*

Grapsidae (Marsh crabs)

5

Varuna litterata (Fabricius, 1798)*

6

Sesarma quadrata (Fabricius, 1798)**

7

Portunus (Portunus) sanguinolentus (Herbst,
1783)**

8

Thalamita crenata (Rüppell, 1830)*

9Charybdis (Charybdis) feriata (Linnaeus, 1758)**

10

Charybdis (Charybdis) callianassa (Herbst,
1789)**

11

Podophthalmus vigil (Fabricius, 1798)**

Calappidae (Box crabs)

Portunidae (Swimming
crabs)

Shrimp and Prawns
12

Melicertus canaliculatus (Olivier, 1811)**

13

Metapenaeus affinis (H. Milne Edwards, 1837)*

14

Metapenaeus ensis (De Haan, 1844)**15

Macrobrachium lamarrei lamarrei (Edwards,
1837)*

16

Macrobrachium equidens (Dana, 1852)**

17

Exopalaemon styliferus (H. Milne Edwards,
1840)*

18

Cuapetes demani (Kemp, 1915)*

Atyidae (Basket shrimp)

19

Caridina propinqua (De Man, 1908)*

Callianassidae (Ghost
shrimp)20

Neocallichirus maxima (A. Milne-Edwards,
1870)*

Upogebidae (Mudshrimps)21

Wolffogebia heterocheir (Kemp, 1915)*

Penaeidae (Penaeid
shrimp)Palaemonidae (Palaemonid shrimps)

Lobsters
Palinuridae (Spiny
lobsters)

22

22

Panulirus polyphagus (Herbst, 1793)**23

Panulirus ornatus (Fabricius, 1798)**

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteSUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF FISH AND
SHELLFISH DIVERSITY
It is important that the ambient living world is a result of the long-term biologicaldiversification through evolution. For a long time, all levels of biodiversity (genetic,
specific and ecosystem) forms had interacted naturally without human involvement(Hiddink et al., 2008). Biodiversity affects the capacity of living ecosystems to respondto changes in the environment and is essential for ecosystem goods and services andsustainability of aquatic natural resources that include commercial fisheries. Fishers
who exploit a larger range of species have more stable and regular catches than fishes
who exploit a single species. A high genetic diversity within a fish population ensure
more resilience against environmental stressors. The effects of changes in biodiversity
on ecosystem functioning are becoming more evident; although there is uncertainty,
many fishing induced changes in species and size composition of fish communities
are now well documented (http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/128023.htm (2005)).
Fisheries managers and policy makers must therefore take a precautionary approachin managing exploitation of fish diversity (Hiddink et al., 2008). The biodiversity of
Chilika Lake is very high due to complicated and long history of its formation, which
has been estimated to be over 3500-4000 years ago (https://en.wikipedia.org /wiki/
Chilika_Lake#Geology). Based on its rich biodiversity, unique ecological characters andsocio-economic importance, Chilika Lake has been designated as Ramsar Site in 1981,
first in India. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Governmentof India included the lake in the list of wetlands selected for intensive conservationand management. The shallow lake with freshwater, brackish and marine characters
is a highly productive eco-system with rich fishery resources providing livelihood toover 0.2 million fishers. Chilika Lake’s aquatic environment being dynamic mix of fresh,
brackish and marine characters, support highly diverse aquatic lives in general andfish and shellfish in particular. Hence, fish and shellfish species of fresh, brackish andmarine origin constitute the fish stocks in the lake. It is estimated that 85.49% of fin
fish diversity of the lake are migratory species, which move between sea, lake, rivers
and vice versa (Mohanty et al., 2015). Therefore, access of these finfish and shellfish
to the diverse habitats associated with the lake is very important. In other words
management of Chilika fish stocks calls for free movement of fin fishes and shell fishes
through the sea mouth at the outer channel and at the Palur canal as well as accessto rivers. During the last few decades, Chilika Lake, like several other coastal lagoons
in the country and elsewhere in the world, has undergone environmental changes
owing to various anthropogenic activities, climatic as well as natural processed.
Geologically, ancient ecosystem of Chilika exhibited high diversity of fish and shell fish
species, which has been subjected to multi-dimensional stress impacting its overallbiodiversity, particularly that of fishes (Mohanty, 2002).
The ecology of the lake witnessed drastic changes during the 1990s and 2000s. The
32 km long, narrow outer channel, which used to connect the lagoon with the Bayof Bengal, near village Motto, gradually filled up due to shoal formation along theChilika Development Authority

23

lead channel. This caused considerable reduction in the tidal influx into the lagoon
leading to significant change in salinity regime, which in turn had adversely affected
the brackish water flora and fauna. In the aftermath of the gradual closure of the sea
mouth, the lagoon had turned more towards a freshwater ecosystem from its original
brackish water type, resulting in substantial change in species composition. There wassignificant increase in freshwater flora and fauna, causing drastic change in the fisheryof the lagoon. Blockage of sea water ingress prevented recruitment of valuable marine
fish species into the lagoon, on which thousands of fishers depended for livelihood.
As a consequence, the fish production from the lagoon declined to less than half. The
lake had turned into a threatened ecosystem; the situation aggravated due to siltation,
eutrophication, proliferation of freshwater macrophytes, increased aquaculture
activities along the periphery of the lake, changes in species composition, depletion of
bio-resources and decrease in fish production. These changes had adversely affected
the livelihood of the community who depended on the lake. The lagoon was placedin the Monteux record in the year 1993 by Ramsar bureau due to the drastic change in
its ecological characters. In order to restore the salinity profile of the lagoon, creationof an artificial mouth was thought of after detailed hydrological investigations.
Consequently, on 23rd September 2000, a new mouth was opened, reducing the lengthof the inlet channel by 18 km. This hydrological intervention resulted in a spectacularenhancement of fisheries including fish diversity in the lake (Mohapatra et al., 2007).
The fish and shellfish diversity of Chilika Lake was studied during pre-restoration
period (Ramarao, 1995; Reddy, 1995; Deb, 1995). Ichthyofaunal diversity inventory
and biodiversity status were studied comprehensively by Mohanty et al. (2015) andreported 317 fish species, 29 prawn species and 35 brachyuran crab species. The longterm investigation ‘Post restoration assessment of ecology and fisheries diversity of
Chilika Lake’ under the World Bank funded ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZM Consultancy Project,
added 17 new records of finfish species to the checklist, raising the finfish diversity to
336 and shellfish diversity to 66 (29 prawn species, 35 brachyuran crabs and 2 speciesof spiny lobsters). The latest assessment of fish diversity status in Chilika Lake (Mohanty
et al., 2015) has reported that 48 fin fishes from Chilika Lake have been categorized as
threatened and none of the shellfish species known from Chilika have been evaluatedyet. After five years long term study on the post restoration assessment of the ecology
and fisheries diversity of Chilika Lake by ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, Kolkata, a total of
35 threatened species were documented besides 14 number species under Near
Threatened category, 91 species under Least Concern category, 16 species under Data
Defficient category have been documented.

Threats to finfish and shellfish diversity
The main factor that threatens fish diversity, particularly in marine and estuarine
ecosystems, is excessive fishing pressure. Globally several local populations of fish
species have become extinct as result of over exploitation. Moreover, stresses due toother factors such as habitat loss, invasive species, eutrophication, climate change
impacts, etc. can accentuate fishing induced declines and inhibit or prevent recoveries.

Natural process
Siltation from river discharge and inflow from catchments have been contributing
substantially to altering spawning grounds of several resident and anadromous fish
species at the river confluence points and other areas in the lake, which are considered

24

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institutepotential spawning grounds of several fishes. Rapid siltation at Magarmukh and outerchannel areas of the lake over the years and slow shifting of lake mouth towards
northward direction are also contributing negatively to fish diversity as the ingressof sea water through semi-diurnal flow tides are gradually getting impaired. The
outer channel sector is considered to be more important so far as species richness isconcerned and frequenting of marine species to this sector of the lake is more intense.
Invasive macrophytes like Phragmites karka in the northern sector decrease open
water areas fishing; decomposition of aquatic weeds at several locations of the lakealso cause water quality issues.

Anthropogenic factors
Factors arising out of anthropogenic activities have contributed to the biodiversity loss
more significantly, than any other in the recent past. Some of such threat perceptions
impacting the lake are outlined as below.
•

•

•
•

•
•

•

•

•

Encroachment of almost 13.75% fishable area of the lake by the illegal man
made enclosures ‘Ghery’ for fish culture operators has largely damaged thepotential nursery ground in the lake and reduced fishable open water area
depriving traditional fishers.
Changes in hydrological regime due to modifications in river up streams
for flood control structures, power generation, etc. resulted in alteredenvironmental flow of the lake.
Catchment degradation due to large-scale deforestation resulted in inflow ofhuge quantity of silt in to the lake.
Illegal aquaculture development on the lake shore line, particularly culturingof exotic fish species like Clarias gariepinus, Tilapia, Litopenaeus vennamei, etc.
has escaped into the lake during flood incidents, which has been recorded
during the cyclone Phailin in October 2013.
Overexploitation of fish stocks due to ever increasing fishing effort andincreasing number of fishing boats and gear.
Rampant use of small meshed (zero mesh) fishing nets causing wanton killingof juveniles of economically and ecologically important fish species and large
quantities of by-catches impact diversity.
Fishery of the lagoon depends to a large extent on species migration into thelagoon through the sea mouth. Dense deployment of barrier nets (Khanda)
of varying mesh sizes, including small size along the mouths of the lagoon
capture all size groups of these species, including broods and also block freemovement of larvae, juveniles and adults.
Large scale destruction (mostly as by catch) of post larvae and juveniles ofcommercially important fishes and shrimps happen year round due to the useof small mesh nets in Khanda fishing and small mesh seine nets in the lagoon,
which affect recruitment of these species into fishery.
Increasing destructive fishing practices (intensive use of Alimi jaal, bag nets
and Khanda) in the outer channel sector and complete blockage of Palur canalby putting up of Khanda nets round the clock at several points prevent fish
migration and large scale capture of brooders and juveniles.

Chilika Development Authority

25

•
•

Deterioration of water quality due to inflow of agricultural pollutants throughriver discharge.
Obstacles put up by fishers in the outer channel and Palur canal as Khanda
fishing, operating Alimi jaal (large boats seine nets and large size bag nets) in
spite of these channels being lifelines of the lake for its fishery and ecology.

Measures for sustainable management
Keeping in view the above mentioned facts, the following management measures
are suggested for sustainable management of fish and shellfish diversity of the lake.
Promulgations of appropriate legislation with penal provisions for illegal fishing anddestructive activities in the lake. Most of the human-induced factors contributing
to fish biodiversity loss in the lake could be controlled / regulated effectively if thelegislation is enforced in Chilika in the right earnest. The suggested management
measures are outlined as below.
•
•

•

•
•

•

•

•
•
•

Chilika Lake may be freed from illegal prawn culture operations throughgheries and any other type of aquaculture operations.
Khanda fishing in the strategic fish migration routes, particularly at Magarmukh,need to be regulated to facilitate unhindered migration and movement ofbrood fishes and juveniles from sea to lake and vice versa.
The breeding period of most of the commercially important species falls
between June-August and November-January; any fishing regulation forprotection of brooders to be planned during these months.
Awareness generation and capacity building of the fishers for practice andpromotion of responsible fisheries.
The main water course from the outer channel, with at least 100-150 m width,
Magarmukh to lake mouth, may be made free from any kind of fishing operation,
as free corridor, round the year, with physical visible channel indicators.
Identified spawning grounds for resident species in the lake need to beprotected with active participation of local fishing communities and adequateawareness campaign.
The 14 km long Palur canal, connecting the southern sector of the lake with
the Bay of Bengal through Rushikulya river mouth, be dredged and deepened
for free flow of tidal water and made free of any physical obstructions, so as tohelp free migration brooders of finfish, prawns and crabs.
Declaration of fishing within 1 km radius of the new lake mouth (both lakeward and sea-ward areas) to be declared as ‘Prohibited Fishing Zone’.
Attempt should be made to prevent entry of any non-native species into thelake by all means.
Regular and effective implementation of regulations and constant monitoring.

A holistic management and conservation plan needs to be implemented for Chilika
Lake, taking care of the livelihood of fishing communities, sustainable fisheries andbiodiversity of the lake. Regular maintenance measures of hydrological intervention
should continue along with dredging of major river mouths in the northern sectorof the lake. Maintaining topographic and hydrographic characters of outer channel
sector and sea mouth.

26

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteMANAGEMENT NEEDS OF CHILIKA LAKE FORSUSTAINABLE FISHERIES AND FOLLOW UP ACTION
INITIATED BY CHILIKA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore, Kolkata wasawarded by Chilika Development Authority (CDA), Bhubaneswar a five years research
project entitled “Post-restoration assessment of the ecology and fisheries diversityof Chilika Lake” through a competitive bidding under the World Bank funded
Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP), Odisha during October, 2011.
ICAR-CIFRI, after completion of five years study in Chilika Lake in April, 2017 indicatedthe crucial lake management needs for sustainable fisheries in the final study reportwhich are outlined as under;

Observations on lake management needs
Capture of immature and juvenile fin fishes and shell fishes is rampant in the lake inall the sectors. By catch is another serious problem causing loss of biodiversity anddestruction of non targeted species. Set barrier nets using small mesh collection boxes
and seine nets catch huge amount of juveniles and non-targeted species. As there isno quantified information on the above, targeted studies are needed to estimate theloss due to juvenile catch and by catch to devise ways and means to reduce this loss.

Chilika Development Authority

27

Capture of immature ones of commercially important fish species, increased fishingeffort on crabs and catch of low value species

Consideration of fishing ban / closed fishing period
Majority of the commercially important fishes are caught at sizes below first maturity,
causing serious growth overfishing and concern on the sustainability of their fishery.
Brood fishes migrating to the lake for breeding are also caught in large numbers
resulting on serious recruitment overfishing.

Breeding period of commercially important fin fish species in the lake (Shadows
indicate breeding period)
Species

ReferenceMonths
J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

Current study
Etroplus suratensis

Jhingra n a nd Na tra ja n (1969)
Bha tta et a l.(2009)

Mystus gulio

Current study
Jhingra n a nd Na tra ja n (1969)

Osteogeneiosus militaris

Current study

Plotosus canius

Current study
Current study

Daysciaena albida

Jhingra n a nd Na tra ja n (1969)
Bha tta et a l.(2009)

Nematalosa nasus

Current study
Jhingra n a nd Na tra ja n (1969)
Current study

Lates calcarifer

Jhingra n a nd Na tra ja n (1969)
Kotwa l (1977)
Bha tta et a l.(2009)

Eleutheronema
tetradactylum

Jhingra n a nd Na tra ja n (1969)

Gerres setifer

Jhingra n a nd Na tra ja n (1969)

Mugil cephalus

Bha tta et a l.(2009)

Jhingra n a nd Na tra ja n (1969)
Bha tta et a l.(2009)

Common breeding period

28

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute

S

O

N

D

Knowledge on the breeding period is essential for protection of these brooders.
Regulated fishing/ closed fishing period needs to be promulgated during thebreeding period to avoid capture of brooders. As these measures will affect fishers’
livelihoods, the fishing closures needs to be as short as possible, considering all theimportant species to reduce livelihood issues to fishers. Alternate livelihood provisionalso needs to be thought of to tide over the closed fishing period. In the current
project, six commercially important fin fish species have been studied for reproductive
biology and their breeding periods have been identified. Current study also recorded
substantial abundance of fish eggs and larvae in plankton samples during pre and postmonsoon period. Breeding period of other important fishes of the lake, as available
from published literature, have been compiled. In order to identify the breeding
period common to all these species and to keep it as short as possible, the breeding
periods were pooled month wise and breeding months common to all the species
identified. April to June is the peak breeding period common to all these species andcan be considered for fishing ban/ closed fishing period to protect brooders in thelake. Incidentally, the 61-day fishing ban along the east coast during 15 April to 14
June for conservation of marine fishery resources (Government of Odisha Notification
No. 4038/FARD, BBSR, dated 25 March 2017), coincides with the peak breeding periodof important fin fish species in the lake (April to June). Hence, a fishing ban for at least
motorized boats in the lake may be considered along with this fishing ban for marine
fishing.
Species of Thryssa and Stoliphorous are the highest contributor to catch, although oflow value but of importance to fishers nutritional requirement. High market demand forcrabs cause large scale fishing effort on these species without any size considerations
and cause large-scale spoilage. Specific studies are required to understand the stock
structure and exploitation pattern of these species.

Fishing prohibition in Palur canal and outer channel
Palur canal is another important route for highly priced mullets and other migratory
species. However, the canal is almost chocked with barrier nets for fishing and all sizegroups of fishes are caught before gaining entry to the lake neither allows them toreach sea for breeding in the case of the highly priced mullet, Mugil cephalus. The canalis also auctioned for fishing by the local communities without considering the need forfish migration and free exchange to saline water to maintain the salinity regime of thelake. At several places, this channel is filled up due to sedimentation and manmade
obstructions, bridges, etc. Farming and use of pesticides and chemicals along thebanks of the channel allow entry of these substances in to the lake. Constructionof bridges and foundation structures of these bridges are made above the floor
level of the channel as in the case of bridge constructed in Gokharkuda village that
obstructs movement of water and biota during low tide. Therefore, Palur canal whichplays critical role in augmenting breeding of catadromous fishes and recruitment ofjuveniles needs to be kept free of any type of fishing throughout the year.

Chilika Development Authority

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Ban of rampant use of small and zero mesh size nets
Rampant use of small and zero mesh size nets of various types are being used in thelake to catch all size groups of fishes and shell fishes. This cause serious biodiversity
loss besides destruction of larval and juvenile stages of a number of commercial
fish species, affecting their recruitment to fishery. Fishery of the lake depends to alarge extent on species migrating in to the lagoon through the sea mouth. Dense
deployment of barrier nets (Khanda) of varying mesh sizes, including small size,
along the mouths of the lagoon capture all size groups of these species, including
broods and also block free movement of larvae, juveniles and adults. These nets also
accumulate thick algae growth and other fouling organisms creating stagnant watercondition causing localized water quality deterioration.

Illegal Gheries
Almost 11.3% of the lake water area is under man made enclosures (Ghery), foraquaculture of prawns, more so near the sea mouth and Palur canal, decreasing fishable
area and also obstruct free movement of migratory fish species and water circulation.
Quite often hatchery produced prawn and fish seeds are used for stocking in these
Ghery. During cyclones and rough water conditions these enclosures break and thecaptive stock escape in to the lake, making the lake biota vulnerable to transmissionof diseases as well as genetic contamination. These Ghery are learned to be illegal andneeds to be cleared to protect the sanctity of ecology and biodiversity of the lake.

Management of prolific growth of macrophytes
Prolific growth of macrophytes and their death and decay, particularly in the northernand near shore central sector areas, results in localized water quality problems. Dense
growth of the macrophytes also block free water circulation, obstruction to movementof fishes and fishing operations. The deteriorated water quality, low water circulationand formation of anoxic conditions are noted to be serious problem that can affectfish breeding, growth and survival. These also create conditions for increased watertemperature, accumulation of organic load and localized eutrophication. Excessive
consumption of dissolved oxygen by the macrophytes during night cause stress andin extreme cases death of biota including fishes. There is need for clearing of theseexcessive growths of vegetation and facilitating water circulation. Selective clearingof these vegetation in patches and inter connecting these patches through clearing
channels can help in a large extend in restoring good ecological conditions in such
macrophyte dominated areas.

Regulation of proliferation of motorized boats
Proliferation of motorized boats and consequent use of fossil fuel is a potential threat
to the lake due to oil pollution, especially in ecologically sensitive central and outer
sectors. Frequent movement of boats for fishing and tourism also cause disturbanceto the ecosystem, cause re-suspension of bottom sediments, leakage of oil, noise andvibration from propellers are potential disturbance to fishes and other biota.

30

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteControl of parasitic infection of fishes
Parasitic infection of fishes, mostly fin fishes, is a serious issue recorded during thestudy. Being a potential threat to fisheries, proper attention needs to be placed oninvestigations on fish parasites, extend of damage to fishery and fish diversity due toparasitic infections.

Indicator species for ecosystem health assessment
During the project study period, two finfish species (Eleutheronema tetradactylum“Chilika Sahala” and Etroplus suratensis “Chilika Kundala”) were identified as indicatorspecies in Chilika Lake from ecosystem health assessment perspectives.

FOLLOW UP ACTION INITIATEDBY CHILIKA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore, Kolkata
documented several lake management needs in the final report during the five years
study on Post-restoration assessment of the ecology and fisheries diversity of
Chilika Lake under the World Bank assisted Integrated Coastal Zone Management
Project (ICZMP), Odisha during 2011-17. Chilika Development Authority realized theimportance of identified management needs and initiated appropriate follows up
actions immediately as indicated below:

Reduction of immature and juvenile finfish catch and by catch loss
A specific research study on the assessment of by catch loss in Chilika was initiated by
CDA during March, 2017 and has been completed in September, 2018. Compilation are
in progress for quantification of the annual by catch loss. Catching of small juveniles byusing small and zero mesh size nets were banned in Chilika Lake under Govt. Order No.
9639 / FARD Dt.27.05.2004 following the Clauses (c) (d) of sub-section (1) of Section 4of the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982. It was not possible to implement
the ban order due to lack of logistic support and field manpower in the past as a result
capture of immature and juvenile fishes and by catch loss was rampant. However,
Chilika Development Authority (CDA) worked in association and hand in hand withthe authorized officer (District Fishery Officer (B&T), Balugaon) under OMFR Act andprovided adequate logistic support, funds and field manpower to implement the
aforesaid order strictly to evict small and zero mesh size nets, particularly set barrier
net (Khanda) with zero mesh net from the entire lake. During April-August 2018 smalland zero mesh size nets, particularly set barrier net (Khandas) with zero meshed nets
have been evicted from the lake almost to the extent of about 90%, as a result captureof immature and juvenile fishes has been significantly reduced.

Chilika Development Authority

31

Fishing prohibition in Palur Canal
State Government have authorized the Chief Executive and the Addl. Chief Executive of
CDA as authorized officer under OMFR Act, 1982 for Chilika Lake vide Govt. Notification
No. 6724 / FARD Dt.3rd June 2017 under clause (a) of Section 3 of Odisha Marine Fishing
Regulation Act, 1982. Now, Chilika Development Authority empowered in association
with the authorized officer of Department of Fisheries (DFO (B&T), Balugaon) fully
evicted un-authorized set barrier net fishing (Khandas) from Palur canal throughrepeated eviction operations during January – August, 2018 achieving a remarkablesuccess. Now Palur canal is free from un-authorized set barrier net fishing whichfacilitates auto recruitment and seaward breeding migration of mullets and othercatadromous fishes.

Eviction of illegal Gheries
CDA authority after being authorized by State Government to act as authorized officer
for Chilika Lake under OMFRA, 1982 as stated above, initiated a massive eviction
operation to evict all illegal net Gheries from Chilika Lake which had encroached151.47 sq. km. potential nursery and fishable water areas, accounting for 16.41% ofwater spread area of the lake. The Ghery eviction operation was started from June,2017 and is almost complete in August, 2018 with complete eviction of 151.47 sq.
km. net Gheries from the lake and now the entire lake is completely free from massive
encroachment of illegal Gheries.

32

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteSPECIES DESCRIPTIONS

Chilika Development Authority

33

34

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteList of finfish and shellfish species described
Finfishes
Sl. No.

Species1

Scoliodon laticaudus (Elasmobranchii: Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae)

2Eusphyra blochii (Elasmobranchii: Carcharhiniformes: Sphyrnidae)

3

Sphyrna lewini (Elasmobranchii: Carcharhiniformes: Sphyrnidae)

4

Rhynchobatus djiddensis (Elasmobranchii: Rajiformes: Rhinobatidae)

5

Narcine timlei* (Elasmobranchii : Torpediniformes: Narcinidae)

6

Brevitrygon imbricata (Elasmobranchii: Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae)

7

Brevitrygon walga (Elasmobranchii: Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae)

8

Himantura uarnak (Elasmobranchii: Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae)

9

Pastinachus sephen (Elasmobranchii: Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae)

10

Notopterus notopterus (Actinopterygii: Osteoglossiformes: Notopteridae)

11

Elops machnata (Actinopterygii: Elopiformes: Elopidae)

12

Megalops cyprinoides (Actinopterygii: Elopiformes: Megalopidae)

13

Anguilla bengalensis (Actinopterygii: Anguliformes: Anguillidae)

14

Anguilla bicolor (Actinopterygii: Anguliformes: Anguillidae)

15

Congresox talabonoides (Actinopterygii: Anguilliformes: Muraenesocidae)

16

Muraenesox bagio (Actinopterygii: Anguilliformes: Muraenesocidae)

17

Muraenesox cinereus (Actinopterygii: Anguilliformes: Muraenesocidae)

18

Dussumieria elopsoides (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Dussumieriidae)

19

Amblygaster leiogaster (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

20

Anodontostoma chacunda (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

21

Corica soborna (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

22

Escualosa thoracata (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

23

Gonialosa manmina (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

24

Gudusia chapra (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

25

Hilsa kelee (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

26

Nematalosa nasus (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

27

Tenualosa ilisha (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

28

Tenualosa toli (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

29

Stolephorus commersonnii (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

30

Stolephorus dubiosus (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

31

Stolephorus indicus (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

32

Thryssa hamiltonii (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

33

Thryssa malabarica (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

Chilika Development Authority

35

36

34

Thryssa mystax (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

35

Thryssa polybranchialis (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

36

Thryssa purava (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

37

Thryssa setirostris (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

38

Thryssa vitrirostris (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

39

Ilisha elongata (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Pristigasteridae)

40

Ilisha megaloptera (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Pristigasteridae)

41

Opisthopterus tardoore (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Pristigasteridae)

42

Chanos chanos (Actinopterygii: Gonorynchiformes: Chanidae)

43

Amblypharyngodon mola (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

44

Gibelion catla (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

45

Chela cachius (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

46

Cirrhinus mrigala (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

47

Cirrhinus reba (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

48

Esomus danrica (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

49

Labeo boga (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

50

Labeo gonius (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

51

Labeo rohita (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

52

Laubuka laubuca (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

53

Osteobrama peninsularis (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

54

Pethia ticto (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

55

Puntius chola (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

56

Puntius sophore (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

57

Rasbora daniconius (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

58

Salmostoma bacaila (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

59

Systomus sarana (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

60

Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cobitidae)

61

Mystus cavasius (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Bagridae)

62

Mystus gulio (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Bagridae)

63

Mystus vittatus (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Bagridae)

64

Ompok bimaculatus (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Siluridae)

65

Ompok pabda (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Siluridae)

66

Wallago attu (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Siluridae)

67

Ailia coila (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Schilbeidae)

68

Pachypterus atherinoides * (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Schilbeidae)

69

Silonia silondia (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Schilbeidae)

70

Pangasius pangasius (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Pangasiidae)

71

Clarias magur (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Clariidae)

72

Heteropneustes fossilis (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Heteropneustidae)

73

Arius arius (Actinopterygii : Siluriformes: Ariidae)

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute

74

Nemapteryx caelata (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Ariidae)

75

Osteogeneiosus militaris (Actinopterygii : Siluriformes: Ariidae)

76

Plotosus canius (Actinopterygii : Siluriformes: Plotosidae)

77

Planiliza macrolepis (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

78

Planiliza melinopterus (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

79

Chelon parsia (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

80

Chelon planiceps (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

81

Planiliza subviridis (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

82

Osteomugil cunnesius (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

83

Crenimugil seheli (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

84

Mugil cephalus (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

85

Rhinomugil corsula (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

86

Valamugil speigleri (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

87

Atherinomorus duodecimalis (Actinopterygii: Atheriniformes: Atherinidae)

88

Atherinomorus lacunosus (Actinopterygii: Atheriniformes: Atherinidae)

89

Aplocheilus panchax (Actinopterygii: Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheilidae)

90

Strongylura strongylura (Actinopterygii: Beloniformes: Belonidae)

91

Xenentodon cancila (Actinopterygii: Beloniformes: Belonidae)

92

Hemiramphus far (Actinopterygii: Beloniformes: Hemiramphidae)

93

Hyporhamphus limbatus (Actinopterygii: Beloniformes: Hemiramphidae)

94

Oryzias dancena (Actinopterygii: Beloniformes: Adrianichthyidae)

95

Hippocampus fuscus (Actinopterygii: Syngnathiformes: Syngnathidae)

96

Ichthyocampus carce (Actinopterygii: Syngnathiformes: Syngnathidae)

97

Macrognathus aral (Actinopterygii: Synbranchiformes: Mastacembelidae)

98

Macrognathus pancalus (Actinopterygii: Synbranchiformes: Mastacembelidae)

99

Mastacembelus armatus (Actinopterygii: Synbranchiformes: Mastacembelidae)

100

Pterois radiata (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae)

101

Tetraroge niger (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Tetrarogidae)

102

Trachicephalus uranoscopus* (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Synanceiidae)

103

Cociella crocodilus (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Platycephalidae)

104

Platycephalus indicus (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Platycephalidae)

105

Ambassis ambassis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Ambassidae)

106

Ambassis gymnocephalus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Ambassidae)

107

Chanda nama (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Ambassidae)

108

Parambassis ranga (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Ambassidae)

109

Lates calcarifer (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Latidae)

110

Epinephelus coioides (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Serranidae)

111

Epinephelus lanceolatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Serranidae)

112

Epinephelus malabaricus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Serranidae)

113

Epinephelus tauvina (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Serranidae)

Chilika Development Authority

37

38

114

Sillaginopsis panijus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sillaginidae)

115

Sillago sihama (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sillaginidae)

116

Sillago vincenti (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sillaginidae)

117

Rachycentron canadum (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Rachycentridae)

118

Echeneis naucrates (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Echeneidae)

119

Alectis indica (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

120

Alepes djedaba (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

121

Carangoides ferdau * (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

122

Carangoides oblongus* (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

123

Carangoides praeustus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

124

Caranx papuensis* (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

125

Caranx sexfasciatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

126

Megalaspis cordyla (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

127

Scomberoides commersonnianus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

128

Scomberoides lysan (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

129

Scomberoides tala (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

130

Scomberoides tol (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

131

Selar boops (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

132

Selar crumenophthalmus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

133

Selaroides leptolepis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

134

Trachinotus baillonii * (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

135

Trachinotus botla * (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

136

Trachinotus mookalee (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

137

Aurigequula fasciata (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Leiognathidae)

138

Leiognathus equulus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Leiognathidae)

139

Nuchequula blochii (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Leiognathidae)

140

Photopectoralis bindus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Leiognathidae)

141

Lethrinus lentjan * (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Lethrinidae)

142

Lutjanus argentimaculatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Lutjanidae)

143

Lutjanus indicus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Lutjanidae)

144

Lutjanus johnii (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Lutjanidae)

145

Lutjanus kasmira (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Lutjanidae)

146

Lutjanus rivulatus* (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Lutjanidae)

147

Datnioides polota (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Datnioididae)

148

Gerres erythrourus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gerreidae)

149

Gerres filamentosus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gerreidae)

150

Gerres limbatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gerreidae)

151

Gerres macracanthus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gerreidae)

152

Gerres oyena (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gerreidae)

153

Gerres phaiya (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gerreidae)

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute154

Gerres setifer (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gerreidae)

155

Pomadasys argenteus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Haemulidae)

156

Pomadasys kaakan (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Haemulidae)

157

Acanthopagrus berda (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sparidae)

158

Acanthopagrus longispinnis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sparidae)

159

Crenidens crenidens (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sparidae)

160

Rhabdosargus sarba (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sparidae)

161

Daysciaena albida (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

162

Dendrophysa russelii (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

163

Johnius amblycephalus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

164

Johnius belangerii (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

165

Johnius borneensis * (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

166

Johnius carutta (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

167

Johnius macropterus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

168

Eleutheronema tetradactylum (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Polynemidae)

169

Upeneus sulphureus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Mullidae)

170

Drepane punctata (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Drepaneidae)

171

Monodactylus argenteus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Monodactylidae)

172

Monodactylus kottelati (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Monodactylidae)

173

Nandus nandus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Nandidae)

174

Pelates quadrilineatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Terapontidae)

175

Terapon jarbua (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Terapontidae)

176

Terapon puta (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Terapontidae)

177

Terapon theraps (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Terapontidae)

178

Taeniamia macroptera* (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Apogonidae)

179

Etroplus suratensis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Cichlidae)

180

Oreochromis mossambicus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Cichlidae)

181

Butis butis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Eleotridae)

182

Eleotris fusca (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Eleotridae)

183

Eleotris melanosoma (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Eleotridae)

184

Acentrogobius masoni (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

185

Drombus globiceps (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

186

Favonigobius reichei * (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

187

Glossogobius giuris (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

188

Oligolepis acutipennis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

189

Oxyurichthys microlepis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

190

Periophthalmus kalolo (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

191

Psammogobius biocellatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

192

Taenioides anguillaris* (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

193

Trypauchen vagina (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

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40

194

Yongeichthys criniger (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

195

Ephippus orbis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Ephippidae)

196

Platax orbicularis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Ephippidae)

197

Scatophagus argus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Scatophagidae)

198

Siganus canaliculatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Siganidae)

199

Siganus javus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Siganidae)

200

Siganus vermiculatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Siganidae)

201

Acanthurus mata (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Acanthuridae)

202

Acanthurus triostegus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Acanthuridae)

203

Sphyraena jello (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sphyraenidae)

204

Sphyraena obtusata* (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sphyraenidae)

205

Sphyraena putnamae (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sphyraenidae)

206

Anabas testudineus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Anabantidae)

207

Trichogaster fasciata (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Osphronemidae)

208

Trichogaster lalius (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Osphronemidae)

209

Channa marulius (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Channidae)

210

Channa punctata (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Channidae)

211

Channa striata (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Channidae)

212

Pseudorhombus arsius (Actinopterygii: Pleuronectiformes: Paralichthyidae)

213

Pseudorhombus micrognathus (Actinopterygii: Pleuronectiformes: Paralichthyidae)

214

Pseudorhombus triocellatus (Actinopterygii: Pleuronectiformes: Paralichthyidae)

215

Solea ovata (Actinopterygii: Pleuronectiformes: Soleidae)

216

Zebrias synapturoides * (Actinopterygii: Pleuronectiformes: Soleidae)

217

Cynoglossus lida (Actinopterygii: Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae)

218

Cynoglossus lingua (Actinopterygii: Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae)

219

Cynoglossus puncticeps (Actinopterygii: Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae)

220

Triacanthus biaculeatus (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Tricanthidae)

221

Abalistes stellaris (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Balistidae)

222

Arothron immaculatus* (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae)

223

Chelonodon patoca (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae)

224

Leiodon cutcutia (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae)

225

Diodon hystrix (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Diodontidae)

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteShellfishes
Sl. No.

Species1

Fenneropenaeus indicus (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Penaeidae)

2

Metapenaeus dobsoni (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Penaeidae)

3

Metapenaeus monoceros (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Penaeidae)

4

Penaeus monodon (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Penaeidae)

5

Penaeus semisulcatus (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Penaeidae)

6

Macrobrachium malcolmsonii (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Palaemonidae)

7

Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Palaemonidae)

8Macrobrachium rude (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Palaemonidae)

9Portunus pelagicus (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Portunidae)

10

Scylla serrata (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Portunidae)

11

Scylla tranquebarica (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Portunidae)* New records from Chilika Lake identified under CIFRI/CDA-ICZM Consultancy Project (2011-2016)

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Scoliodon laticaudus (Müller & Henle, 1838)

Spadenose shark / Indian Dog Fish
Odia: Dhudhiya Magara / Sorrah Magara / Haladia Magara

Systematic accounts
Class : Elasmobranchii
Order : Carcharhiniformes
Family : Carcharhinidae
Genus : Scoliodon
Species : Scoliodon laticaudus

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0. Bronze
grey above, white below, fins sometimes darker than body; no conspicuous markings.
Maximum length recorded 100.0 cm (TL) (Bouhlel, 1988).

HabitatMarine; brackish; demersal; amphidromous.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf, Somalia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Pakistan to Java inIndonesia; then Japan, China, and Taiwan.

IUCN Status
Near Threatened (NT)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which wascollected from Rambha Bay. The species is locally known as Dhudhiya Magara/ Sorrah Magara / Haladia Magara in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is generally
found in outer channel and also in the central and southern sector. It forms a goodfishery in the near shore waters adjacent to Chilika Lake mainly caught in hook
& line, long lines and gill nets. However, the shark fishery in Chilika has declined
drastically in the recent years. During 2016-17, the total estimated landing ofsharks was only 1.26 tonnes in which this Indian dog fish constituted 0.84 tonnes.
Although the catch is small in Chilika Lake it is sent to Kharagpur and Kolkata
markets where it is sold at average price of Rs.30/kg.

42

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteEusphyra blochii (Cuvier, 1816)
Winghead shark
Odia: Hatudia Magara

Systematic accounts
Class : Elasmobranchii
Order : Carcharhiniformes
Family : Sphyrnidae
Genus : Eusphyra
Species : Eusphyra blochii

Diagnostic features
orsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0. Greyor grey-brown above, paler below. Expanded lateral blades of head very narrow andwing-like, with a series of small bumps along edges in front of nostrils; width acrosshead 40 or 50% of total length. Nostrils enormously expanded, each nearly 2 times themouth head. Maximum length recorded 186.0 cm (TL) (Last and Stevens, 1994).

HabitatMarine; brackish; benthopelagic; amphidromous.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf to the Philippines, north to China, south to Australia.

IUCN Status
Endangered (EN)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007) which wascollected from Arakhakuda area in the outer channel. The species is locally known
as Hatudia Magara in Odia. The shark fish has commercial value as its fins are
sold for higher price although its meat is not consumed locally. Occurrence of thisshark is very rare in Chilika and hardly few sharks could be seen in the outer channel during a year. Although the shark does not form a fishery in Chilika, it is very
important from the biodiversity point of view. Local fishermen are informed by the
Department of Fisheries not to capture and kill this rare winghead shark.

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Sphyrna lewini (Griffith & Smith, 1834)
Scalloped hammerhead
Odia: Hatudi Mundia Magar

Systematic accounts
Class : Elasmobranchii
Order : Carcharhiniformes
Family : Sphyrnidae
Genus : Sphyrna
Species : Sphyrna lewini

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0. A large
hammerhead with a notch at the center of head; 1st dorsal fin moderately high, 2nd dorsal
and pelvic fins low. Front margin of head broadly arched with prominent median notch.
Side wings of head narrow, rear margins swept backward. Uniform grey, grayish brown, orolivaceous above, shading to white below; pectoral fins tipped with grey or black ventrally.
Maximum length recorded 430.0 cm (TL) (Smith, 1997).

HabitatMarine; brackish; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous.

Distribution
Circumglobal in coastal warm temperate and tropical seas. Western Atlantic: New Jersey,
USA to Uruguay, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Eastern Atlantic: western
Mediterranean to Namibia. Indo-Pacific: Persian Gulf, Red Sea, East Africa and throughout
the Indian Ocean; Japan to New Caledonia, Hawaii and Tahiti. Eastern Pacific: southern California, USA to Ecuador, probably Peru.

IUCN Status
Endangered (EN)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007) which was collected from Alupatana area in the outer channel. The species is locally known as Hatudi
Mundia Magara in Odia. The shark fish has commercial value outside the state where
its meat and fins are sold at high prices. This shark is caught from the coastal watersof Odisha state in good number up to 1960s but sharply declined thereafter and currently this is a rarely caught by coastal fishermen. In Chilika Lake, the shark was caught
from outer channel in few occasions. Its documentation from Chilika is important fromthe biodiversity point of view.

44

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteRhynchobatus djiddensis (Forsskål, 1775)
Giant guitarfish
Odia: Tenki Magara, Mirigi

Systematic accounts
Class : Elasmobranchii
Order : Rhinopristiformes
Family : Rhinidae
Genus : Rhynchobatus
Species : Rhynchobatus djiddensis

Diagnostic features
Disc longer than wide; tail stout and shark-like. Snout elongate and tapering; rostral
cartilages strong. Eyes larger than spiralcles, placed just before spiracles; posterior marginof spiracles with two cutaneous folds. A row of tubercles along anterior and inner marginof orbit and on inner margin of spiracle. Caudal fin bilobed. Two dorsal fins; origin of firstdorsal fin above pelvic fin bases. Posterior margin of pectoral fin anterior to pelvic fin origin.
A median row of small tubercles anterior and posterior to first dorsal fin; an inner and outer
series of tubercles on shoulder. Upper surface of disc dark olive-green, with numerous whitespots scattered on posterior margin of disc. A distinct black ocellus on each shoulder; adistinctive black cross between the eyes. Gray white on ventral surface with darker margins
to pectoral and pelvic fins. Juveniles with a black blotch on tip of snout (Mishra and Gopi,
2014). This species is listed in Schedule I Part II A of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
Maximum length recorded 480.0cm (TL) (Bruin et al., 1994).

HabitatMarine; brackish; reef-associated; benthic inshore coastal waters.

Distribution
Western Indian Ocean: restricted to the Red Sea and the tropical western Indian Ocean to
South Africa. Also reported from Persian Gulf. Apparently misidentified with closely related
species in the northern and eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific.

IUCN Status
Vulnerable (VU)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007). The species islocally known as Tenki Magara, Mirigi in Odia. In Chilika Lake, this fish is occasional
visitor to the outer channel sector. Only few specimens were collected from outerchannel during winter month in 2002. Local fishermen have been advised not to kill
the fish since it is one of the scheduled fishes of India.

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Narcine timlei (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Electric ray / Spotted numbfish
Odia: Bijuli Sankucha

Systematic accounts
Class : Elasmobranchii
Order : Torpediniformes
Family : Narcinidae
Genus : Narcine
Species : Narcine timlei

Diagnostic features
Outline of the disc somewhat rounded, while it is broader than in length; along the sideof the tail is broad skinny keel reaching the base of caudal fin. Caudal portion of the fish
is rather longer than the body. Spiracle is just behind the orbit and not tuberculatedon the edge. An electric organ is situated between the pectoral fin and head. Anterior
dorsal fin usually commences just behind the ventrals and is slightlysmaller than theposterior dorsal fin. Hind edge of caudal fin is rounded and confluent with the ventral
side of the body. Body and fins reddish brown above, with numerous irregularly sizedchocolate colored spots; lower surface white. In some cases there are no spots at all.

HabitatMarine and demersal in habit. The species generally inhabit shallow coastal waters,
bays and estuaries with sandy or muddy substrata.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific region: Pakistan to the Philippines, seas of India
and the Malaya Archipelago.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported as new record from Chilika by Rosith et al. (2016)
which was collected from Khanda catches near Nalabana sanctuary in central
sector of the lake and also from lake mouth area in the outer channel during 2013
while undertaking inventory survey for fish diversity under World Bank funded
ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZMP Consultancy Project. The species is locally known as Bijuli
Sankucha in Odia. The fish is capable of generating powerful electric discharge
from the electric organs. The specimen was collected from the Khanda (Screen
barrier). This is the first record of electric ray from the Chilika lagoon.

46

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteBrevitrygon imbricata (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Scaly whipray
Odia: Katia Sankucha

Systematic accounts
Class : Elasmobranchii
Order : Myliobatiformes
Family : Dasyatidae
Genus : Brevitrygon
Species : Brevitrygon imbricata

Diagnostic features
Disc width equal to disc length; tail shorter than body; ventral surface of disc entirely
white.

HabitatMarine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and Mauritius to Indonesia. Also from Persian Gulf.

IUCN Status
Data Deficient (DD)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which wascollected from Rambha Bay. The species is locally known as Katia Sankucha inOdia. This ray fish species was first recorded from Chilika lake long back in 1916
by B. L. Chaudhuri, recorded as Trygon imbricata (Old name). It occurs in theouter channel sector and occasionally near Magarmukh and Nalabana. It does
not form a commercial fishery in the lake. This ray fish is threat to humans being
venomous. This ray fish breeds in Chilika Lake during monsoon and post-monsoon
season in the outer channel, Satapada and Nalabana area in the central sector
and its landing is negligible. It has little commercial value. The ray fish is generallycaught in Khanda and gill nets in Chilika Lake.

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Brevitrygon walga (Muller & Henle, 1841)
Dwarf whipray
Odia: Dhala Sankucha, Sulei

Systematic accounts
Class : Elasmobranchii
Order : Myliobatiformes
Family : Dasyatidae
Genus : Brevitrygon
Species : Brevitrygon walga

Diagnostic features
The fish has a sub circular disc shaped body; dull grey or brown coloured dorsal sideand is whitish ventrally. Mouth is undulated with 2 buccal processes on the floor of
mouth. Spiracles, that equal eye diameter, are located behind eyes. Eye diameter is 3.3
times more than inter-orbital width. Tail is whip like and slightly longer than the disc
length with 1 or 2 large serrated spines; cutaneous folds absent. A small tubercle ispresent on the inter-orbital, inter-spiracle and mid-dorsal surface of the disc. A seriesof small spines present between root of tail and caudal spine.

Habitat
The species is marine inhabitant and demersal in habit

Distribution
It is distributed in Western Pacific: Thailand to southeastern Indonesia and India.
Reported from India, but due to confusion with Himantura imbricata, its westward
distribution in the Indian Ocean is unclear.

IUCN Status
Near Threatened (NT)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohanty et al. (2008) which wascollected from outer channel near Arakhakuda. The species is locally known as
Dhala Sankucha, Sulei in Odia. Frequently found in the outer channel sector andin the central and southern sectors of the lagoon. Large number of juveniles ofthis ray fish are found at Nalabana during monsoon. This ray fish has less to nocommercial value sold at Rs 20-30/- kg. Generally caught through seine net andKhanda. Found to breed in winter season.

48

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteHimantura uarnak (Gmelin, 1789)

Honeycomb stingray/Banded whiptail stingray
Odia: Baghua Sankucha

Systematic accounts
Class : Elasmobranchii
Order : Myliobatiformes
Family : Dasyatidae
Genus : HimanturaSpecies : Himantura uarnak

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0. Hugestingray with conspicuous dark spots on a light brown disc; spots well-spaced in young
but crowded to form reticulated pattern in adult; white ventrally; tail marked with bands ofblack and white; snout sharply pointed; disc with narrowly rounded outer corners, and taillong, slender and nearly three times body length when intact, with no caudal finfolds; discwithout thorns but with band of flat denticles along midback (in adults); usually 1 mediumsized sting on tail. Disc in young with “leopard” pattern: honey-comb or reticulated patternin adults. Maximum length recorded 450.0cm and maximum disc width 150cm (De Bruinet al., 1994).

HabitatMarine; brackish (benthic, coastal waters); reef-associated; amphidromous.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Persian Gulf; Red Sea (and eastern Mediterranean via Suez Canal) to southern
Africa and French Polynesia, north to Taiwan, south to Australia. Also in the Arafura Sea.
Collected from the estuary of the River Ganges. This name has been used for a number ofsimilar spotted species. Probably a species complex. Its identity has been confused in many
publications and Micronesian specimens should be re-examined.

IUCN Status
Vulnerable (VU)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916). The species is locallyknown as Baghua Sankucha in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the ray fish occurs in the outerchannel sector mostly during post-monsoon – summer and its rare occurrence has
been observed in the central sector. This ray fish is mostly marketed in the neighboring
Kharagpur and Howrah fresh fish markets. Its landing in Chilika is negligible. Sold at
Howrah fish market at an average unit price of Rs.40-50/kg.

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Pastinachus sephen (Forsskal, 1775)
Cowtail stingray
Odia: Gorulanjia Sankucha

Systematic accounts
Class : Elasmobranchii
Order : Myliobatiformes
Family : Dasyatidae
Genus : Pastinachus
Species : Pastinachus sephen

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0. A large, plain, dark stingray with anangular snout and pectoral disc; tail long and broad-based, less than twice body length,
and with no upper caudal finfold but with high lower caudal finfold- 2 to 3 times depthof tail but not reaching tail tip; no large thorns; 1 or 2 long stings on tail, further behindtail base than in most stingrays; unique hexagonal, high-crowned teeth. Dark brownor black dorsally without conspicuous markings, white ventrally. Tail black. Maximum
length recorded 183.0cm (WD) (Myers, 1999).

HabitatMarine (benthic, coastal waters); freshwater; brackish; reef-associated; amphidromous.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea, Persian Gulf and South Africa to Micronesia, north to Japan,
south to Melanesia and the Arafura Sea.

IUCN Status
Data Deficient (DD)

Other information – Chilika specificThis ray fish was first recorded from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) when it wasrecorded as Hypolophus sephen. The species is locally known as Gorulanjia
sankucha in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is generally found in the outer channel
sector. It breeds in the central sector (Nalabana area), Magarmukh and near thewestern shore of the central sector during monsoon. Due to its negligible catch, its
annual landing has not been estimated separately. Although it is rarely consumed
locally but it is highly in demand at the fresh fish markets in the neighboring stateof West Bengal. The average selling price of the ray fish is Rs.40-50/kg at Kharagpur
fish market.

50

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteNotopterus notopterus (Pallas, 1769)
Bronze featherback
Odia: Fali

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Osteoglossiformes
Family : Notopteridae
Genus : Notopterus
Species : Notopterus notopterus

Diagnostic features
The fish has an oblong and strongly laterally compressed body with minute scales.
Craniodorsal profile of the species is nearly straight or slightly concave. Abdomen iswith 25-28 double serrations in pre pelvic region. Head is also laterally compressed. Pre
operculum is 1/4th of SL and has 6-8 rows of scales. Preorbital is serrated and extends
to mid orbit region. Dorsal fin is inserted. Small sized pectoral fins extend beyond anal
fin origin.
D. 7-9; A. 97-111.

Habitat
A freshwater species but also occurrs in brackish water regions; demersal in habit.

Distribution
The fish species is distributed in Indus, Ganges-Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Krishna,
Cauvery, and other river basins in southern India; Irrawaddy, and Salween; Mekong,
Chao Phraya, Mekong and virtually all coastal river basins of peninsular Thailand andMalaysia; Sumatra and Java.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)

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Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from
Chilika by Jones and Sujansinghani (1954)
which was collected from Kalupadaghat
area. The species is locally known as Fali
in Odia. This is a resident species andknown to breed in the freshwater zoneof the northern sector of the lagoon. It is
generally encountered in northern andcentral sectors of the lagoon. More than
70% of its catch is exported to Howrah
fresh fish market in West Bengal as live
Fig A Annual landings of N. notopterus (Fali)
fish being transported in GI container
during 2001-02 to 2016-17
with water. Annual catch of the fish fromthe lagoon is about 279.47 t valued at
Rs.161.03 lakhs, sold at Rs 50-70/- kg. It is commercially important; consumed
locally as well as traded outside the state. The fish commonly caught throughseine net, screen barrier net and in hook & line. Year wise annual landings for 16
years during the post-restoration period (2001-02 to 2016-17) is depicted in Fig A.

52

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteElops machnata (Forsskal, 1775)
Tenpounder
Odia: Nahama

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Elopiformes
Family : Elopidae
Genus : Elops
Species : Elops machnata

Diagnostic features
E. machnata has a rounded (little compressed), elongated, fusiform body and long,compressed head with sharp snout. Mouth of the fish is wide and terminal. Cleft of mouth
is longer, extending well behind eye, while lower jaw is projecting. Teeth on jaws, palate
and tongue are villiform. Dorsal fin is set near midpoint of body, slightly ahead of pelvic
fins. Anal fin origin is well behind the last dorsal fin ray. Pelvic fin base appears below the
middle of dorsal fin base. Scales are very small, around 100 along lateral line.
D. 21-25; A. 14-17; P. 17-18; V. 12-16.

Habitat
The fish species dwells in fresh water, brackish to marine waters; pelagic-neritic in habit andoceanodromous in migration.

Distribution
Distributed in Indo-West Pacific: Red sea to Mossel Bay, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri
Lanka and western Pacific. Also found in Africa (Inland waters).

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which was collectedfrom Chilika near Balugaon. The species is locally known as Nahama in Odia. It is a
migratory species, majorly caught through gill nets from outer channel, central andsouthern sectors of the lagoon. Sold at a price of Rs. 180-200/kg; its average annual
catch from the lagoon is around 4.17 tonnes and has average annual catch valuationof Rs. 1.51 lakhs per year. This economically important species is consumed locally andis known to breed in late summer and early rainy season in the sea. This fish formed agood fishery in the past (1950s & 1960s) which gradually declined with the degradationof ecosystem and almost disappeared in the commercial landings during 1990s before
opening of the new lake mouth in September, 2000. This commercially high value fish
reappeared in the commercial landings immediately after opening of the new lakemouth and later the catch has not improved.
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53

Megalops cyprinoides (Broussonet, 1782)
Indo-Pacific tarpon
Odia: Paniakhia

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Elopiformes
Family : Megalopidae
Genus : Megalops
Species : Megalops cyprinoides

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-21; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays:
23 - 31. Lower jaw projects beyond snout; a bony gular plate present between thejaw bones. Last fin ray of dorsal long and filamentous; ventrally located pectoral fins;abdominal pelvic fins with 9 or more rays. Branchiostegals more than 23. Scales verylarge 30-40 in lateral line. Color blue-green dorsally; silvery on sides. Can tolerate
oxygen-poor water by ‘breathing’ air into a lung-like air bladder. Maximum length
recorded 150.0cm (TL) (Rahman, 1989).

HabitatMarine; freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; amphidromous. The fish is of predator
habit.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Persian Gulf, Red Sea and Natal, South Africa to the Society Islands, northto southern Korea, south to the Arafura Sea and New South Wales. Restricted to highislands (Palau, Caroline and Mariana islands) in Micronesia. Reported as far inland as
the lower Shire in Malawi and the Save-Runde junction in Zimbabwe. Widespreadin the Lower Zambezi River channels up to Marromeu and in the Micelo River up to
Malingapanzi. South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and East China Sea.

IUCN Status
Data Deficient (DD)54

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was firstreported from Chilika by
Chaudhuri (1916) whocollected the fish fromRambha Bay of the lake.
The species is locallyknown as Paniakhia
in Odia. In Chilika Lake,the fish was one of thecommercially important
species with substantial
landings in the past
which
was
almostFig.B Annual landings of M. cyprinoides duringdisappeared during the
2001-02 to 2017-18
eco-degradation phasewhen it was rarely seenin commercial catches.
It reappeared after opening of the new lake mouth during 2000. However, thepopulation did not increase in the later period. Its catch is landed mostly at
Kalupada, Sorana, Mangalajodi in northern sector and Balugaon in the central
sector and Gajapatinagar in southern sector. During 2016-17, its estimated annual
landing was 20.57 tonnes valued at Rs.1.0 million, fetching an average unit price ofRs.70/kg. It is generally caught in the lake by gill nets, hand lines and Khandas. The
species almost disappeared from commercial landings during the pre-restoration
period and suddenly started reappearing after opening of the new lake mouth
in 2000 and substantial landings during the post-restoration period, registering
highest landing in 2002-03 were recorded.

Chilika Development Authority

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Anguilla bengalensis (Gray, 1831)
Indian mottled eel
Odia: Bami

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Anguliformes
Family : Anguillidae
Genus : AnguillaSpecies : Anguilla bengalensis

Diagnostic features
Dorsal soft rays (total): 250-305; Anal soft rays: 220 - 250; Vertebrae: 106 - 112. Body
elongate, head conical, flattened dorsally. Mouth terminal, lips prominent, narrow
bands of teeth on jaws, broad band on vomer.

HabitatMarine; freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; catadromous.

Distribution
Asia: Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and the East Indies. Reported from Nepal and
Bangladesh

IUCN Status
Near Threatened (NT)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first recorded from Chilika by Jones and Sujansinghani (1954). The
species is locally known as Bami in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is frequently foundin the northern sector, particularly in the river mouth areas and occasionally in thecentral sectors of the lake. The fish is landed in more quantities at Jaguleipadara(Kanasa Block) fish landing centre and also occasionally in central sector. The fishcaught from Chilika Lake is mostly transported to West Bengal (Howrah fresh fish
market). The average monthly and annual landings of this fish are 1.5 tonne and8 tonne respectively and the annual catch value during 2016-17 was estimatedat Rs. 0.17 Crores. Being commercially important, the unit price for the fish at thelanding centres in Chilika is Rs. 90-120/kg. Generally caught in barrier nets with net
box traps (Khanda).

56

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteAnguilla bicolor (McClelland, 1844)
Indonesian shortfin eel
Odia: Bami

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Anguliformes
Family : Anguillidae
Genus : AnguillaSpecies : Anguilla bicolor

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 240-245; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays:
200 - 220; Vertebrae: 105 - 115. Olive to dark bluish-brown dorsally, lighter ventrally
from jaw to anus. Dorsal body color uniform. Dorsal fin origin above vent. Teeth small,inconspicuous, multiserial, forming broad continuous bands on jaws and vomer; vomerine tooth-band extending as far back as bands of upper jaw but more pointed posteriorly. Maximum length recorded 123cm (TL).

HabitatMarine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; catadromous

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: widespread in the tropical Indian Ocean and western Pacific. Known inAustralia only from streams in the Kimberley regions of northern western Australia. Africa: widespread but relatively uncommon along east and southeast African coast andMadagascar. Mozambique; Lower Zambezi River. Most easily confused with Anguilla
obscura and the surest way to distinguish them is by the count of vertebrae.

IUCN Status
Near Threatened (NT)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first recorded from Chilika by Jones and Sujansinghani (1954). The
species is locally known as Bami in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is landed in goodquantity at Jaguleipadara fish landing centre under Kanasa Block (near the mouthzone of Daya River). The fish is mostly exported to Howrah fresh fish market (WB)
since its local consumption is negligible. Its average unit price is Rs.90-110/kg.

Chilika Development Authority

57

Congresox talabonoides (Bleeker, 1853)
Indian pike conger
Odia: Danti

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Anguliformes
Family : Muraenesocidae
Genus : Congresox
Species : Congresox talabonoides

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Vertebrae: 132 - 135. Body robust and eelshaped; mouth very large, with gape reaching well beyond eye; dorsal fin inserted
before gill-openings, 57-68 fin-rays before level of vent; pectoral fins relatively small,about 4 times in head length; lateral line pores before level of anus 41 or 42. Maximum
length recorded 250.0 cm (TL) (Castle, 1984).

HabitatMarine; brackish; bathydemersal; amphidromous.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: From the Red Sea to Java and Sulawesi north to the Philippines,
Hong Kong and Taiwan.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which wascollected from central sector of Chilika. The species is locally known as Danti in
Odia. The fish is mixed with brackish water miscellaneous catches and the averageannual landing has been estimated at 2.72 tonnes during the post-restoration
period. The fish is mostly marketed outside the state particularly at Howrah fresh
fish market, fetching an average unit price of Rs.60-70/kg. It is caught mostly fromouter channel and central sector of Chilika.

58

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteMuraenesox bagio (Hamilton, 1822)
Common pike conger
Odia: Samudra Danti

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Anguliformes
Family : Muraenesocidae
Genus : Muraenesox
Species : Muraenesox bagio

Diagnostic features
The fish has aneel-shaped, robust body and narrower head with inter-orbital widthabout 10 times of head length. Mouth extends beyond eye and snout is long. Eyediameter is three times of snout length. Large teeth present, those in the middle ofvomer are very prominent, blade like, with anterior and posterior basal cups. The
dorsal fin has about 47-59 dorsal rays present upto the vertical level of anus. 47-59
lateral line pores present before the anus. Head is 5.5 to 6.0 and body depth 16-22
times smaller than the total length. Inter-orbital width is 9-11 times smaller than thehead length. Body grayish-brown, lighter below; median fins edged with black colour.
D. 0; A. 0; Vr. 128-141.

HabitatMarine as well as brackish water dwelling species, demersal in nature andoceanodromous in migration.

Distribution
It has a widespread distribution inIndo-Pacific.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007) which wascollected from Satapada area in the outer channel. The species is locally known as
Samudra Danti in Odia. The species has minor commercial value. It is consumed
locally and sold at Rs. 60-80/ kg, caught from outer channel and central sector of
Chilika using hook and line and screen barrier net (Khanda).
Chilika Development Authority

59Muraenesox cinereus (Forsskal, 1775)
Daggertooth pike conger
Odia: Danti

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Anguliformes
Family : Muraenesocidae
Genus : Muraenesox
Species : Muraenesox cinereus

Diagnostic features
Body elongate, scaleless, compressed posteriorly; prominent conical snout; eye large,
inter-orbital space about 8.2 in head; anterior nostril tubular, posterior nostril a simple
opening nearer to eye than to anterior nostril. Mouth large, rictus well behind eye; inlower jaw a middle row of prominent, sharp, tricuspid, erect teeth; median vomerine
teeth sharply triangular in lateral view, compressed, with anterior and posterior basal
cusp and the bases often in contact. Gill openings large, latero-ventral. Vertical finscontinuous with caudal fin; dorsal fin origin over pectoral fin base or slightly before;
dorsal finrays before a vertical through anus 66-78. Lateral line pores before anus 4047. Vertebrae 145-159.

HabitatMarine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; oceanodromous; Benthic, over soft bottoms
down to about 100 m, also in estuaries, in warm seas. Sometimes enters freshwater
environment. Feeds on small bottom fishes and crustaceans. Food: carnivorous (bottomliving fishes and decapods)

Distribution
Elsewhere, known from the Red Sea and throughout the northern Indian Ocean; coastof India, Burma and Malaysia northward to Hong Kong and northwards to Japan. A
record on the Mediterranean Sea; immigrant from the Red Sea in the coast of Israel(Tel Aviv-Jaffa).

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)60

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which wascollected from Magarmukh area of Chilika Lake. The species is locally known as
Danti in Odia. Its catch in Chilika is included in the mixed catch of marine eels andall marine ells are called as Danti in Odia. The average annual landings of marine
eels (Danti) is estimated at 22 tonnes which forms 0.14% in commercial landings.
It is a food fish and its average selling price Rs.60/kg. It is mostly consumed as fresh
fish being popular among marine fishers. In Chilika the fish is generally caught inthe barrier nets (Khandas).

Chilika Development Authority

61

Dussumieria elopsoides Bleeker, 1849
Slender rainbow sardine
Odia: Nadiakhai Kokoli

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Dussumieriidae
Genus : Dussumieria
Species : Dussumieria elopsoides

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-18; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 18. Branchiostegal rays more (13 to 17) and no striae on posterior part of scales; pelvic
fins more advanced; W-shaped pelvic scute; isthmus with tapering evenly forward;
more anal fin rays. Maximum length recorded 20.0 cm (TL) (Whitehead, 1985).

HabitatMarine; pelagic-neritic.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Suez and western Indian Ocean (the Persian Gulf to Mombasa; possibly
to Madagascar) to China, the Arafura Sea and to about Tonga. Previous records of Dussumieria acuta from northeastern Indian Ocean would refer to this species.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Talwar and Kacker (1984) which wascollected from outer channel sector. The species is locally known as Nadiakhai
Kokoli in Odia. The fish is rarely caught from Chilika Lake only in the outer channel
sector during winter and summer. It more or less resembles with oil sardine
occurring in substantial number in the adjacent coastal waters within Chilika andGanjam coast. The fish is one of the tasty marine fishes which is mostly marketed
locally. Its catch is negligible in Chilika and it gets mixed with the miscellaneousbrackish water fish group. Its average selling price is Rs.50-60/kg.

62

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteAmblygaster leiogaster (Valenciennes, 1847)
Smoothbelly sardinella
Odia: Kawla

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Clupeidae
Genus : Amblygaster
Species : Amblygaster leiogaster

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-21; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays:
12 - 23. Body moderately slender, belly rather rounded, scutes not prominent. Distinguished from A. sirm by the absence of spots along the flank (gold in life, black on preservation) and fewer lower gill rakers. Closely resembles A. clupeoides, which has fewer
lower gill rakers. Maximum length recorded 23.0 cm (SL) (Whitehead, 1985).

HabitatMarine; pelagic-neritic.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: coasts of Africa eastward to Okinawa, Japan; south to Western Australia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohanty et al. (2015) which wascollected from Rambhartia area of outer channel. The species is locally known
as Kawla in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is occasionally found in outer channel.
It does not form fishery in the lake; stray catches are mixed with brackishwater
miscellaneous group; caught in barrier net boxes (Khandas); consumed fresh
locally and the average selling price is Rs.55/kg.

Chilika Development Authority

63

Anadontostoma chacunda (Hamilton, 1822)
Chacunda gizzard shad
Odia: Babana Balangi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Clupeidae
Genus : Anodontostoma
Species : Anodontostoma chacunda

Diagnostic features
It has deep, almost oval and compressed body. Its depth increases with size of fish,
about 2.1-3.1 times in SL. Belly is almost rounded and with scutes. Hind edges of scales
toothed, the teeth thinner than the gaps between them. Dorsal fin origin is before
midpoint of body; last dorsal ray is not filamentous. Pelvic fins are below anterior partof dorsal fin base. Anal fin is short. Gill rakers are fine and less than 100 rakers are on
lower arm of first arch. Mouth is inferior, maxilla straight, thin and tapering. A medianseries of pre-dorsal scales are present. Body colour is silvery with a large prominent
black spot behind gill opening.
D. 16; A. 17-20; P. 16; V. 8; Ll. 42-45.

Habitat
It is a pelagic-neritic and anadromous species inhabits in marine, fresh and brackish
water environments.

Distribution
The species is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf to coasts of India andAndaman Sea, to Gulf of Thailand, Indonesia, Viet Nam, and Philippines, south tonorthern Australia, the Caroline Islands and New Caledonia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)64

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first recorded from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which wascollected from Rambha Bay. Locally called as Babana Balangi (in Odia) in
Chilika region, are not so abundant in the lagoon. It has good commercial value;consumed locally as fresh, sun dried or dry salted; sold @ Rs 70-140/kg. Averageannual landing is 1.07 tonnes and the estimated economic value was Rs.0.75 lakh.
It is a migratory species. Generally caught in screen barrier net (Khanda), gill net
and seine net (Bhida jala).

Chilika Development Authority

65

Corica soborna (Hamilton, 1822)
Ganges river sprat
Odia: Ursi, Nadi Chauli

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Clupeidae
Genus : Corica
Species : Corica soborna

Diagnostic features
The fish has a moderately compressed, silvery body with a light band along thesidessides. The head is 4 times and body depth 4.2 times larger of standard length.
Length of maxilla reaches vertically upto the eye center. Belly is keeled with 10-11 prepelvic and 6-7 post pelvic scutes. Anal fin rays are present and last two anal rays are
separated from rest with a gap of three fin ray bases. Caudal fin is forked. Lateral line isabsent. Small scales, 40-42 in numbersare present in lateral series.
D. 12-13; A. 11-12; P. 13; V. 8; Ls. 40-42.

HabitatMarine to freshwater in nature. It is pelagic-neritic in habit and is often found to enter
estuaries, coastal lagoons and brackish water lakes.

Distribution
The fish is distributed in Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and India.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which wascollected from central sector of Chilika. The species is locally known as Ursi, Nadi
Chauli in Odia, the fish occurs throughout the lagoon. Sold at Rs. 70-80/- kg, thefish is consumed locally in fresh and salted forms. It is caught through seine nets
and screen barrier nets (Khanda).

66

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteEscualosa thoracata (Valenciennes, 1847)
White sardine
Odia: Luni Chauli

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Clupeidae
Genus : Escualosa
Species : Escualosa thoracata

Diagnostic features
The fish has an oblong or sub elongated body. The abdomen is serrated, that
extendings anteriorly up to the thoracic region. Mouth is anterior or antero-superior.
Abdominal profile is more convex than the dorsal. Upper jaw does not project beyond
the lower jaw. Maxilla is reaching below the first third or middle of the eye. Belly isstrongly keeled. The fish is distinguished from juveniles of Sardinella sp., Amblygastersp. and Herklotsichthys sp. By the nearly rectangular second supra-maxilla and thebright silver coloured stripe along the flank. Colour of the body is greenish dorsally;
the bases of the scales being a little dark. Cuadal fin is dark tipped.
D. 13-21; A. 14-19.

HabitatMarine to freshwater dwelling species; pelagic-neritic in habit and amphidromous inmigration.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: northern Indian Ocean (Karachi eastward to
Rangoon) to Thailand, Indonesia (Java Sea), the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, andAustralia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rama Rao (1995). The species islocally known as Luni Chauli in Odia. The fish occurs throughout the lagoon. Soldat Rs. 60-80/kg, consumed locally in fresh and salted forms but has less commercial
value.

Chilika Development Authority

67

Gonialosa manmina (Hamilton, 1822)
Ganges river gizzard shad
Odia: Makundi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Clupeidae
Genus : Gonialosa
Species : Gonialosa manmina

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 22 - 28. Body fairly deep, somewhat
compressed, belly with 16 to 20 (usually 17 or 18) + 11 to 14 (usually 11 to 13), total
27 to 33 (usually 29 to 31) scutes. Upper jaw slender at tip and distinctly turned down,
second supra-maxilla very small. Gill rakers fine and numerous (90 to 180 on lowerarch). Pre-dorsal scales paired and overlapping in midline; scales moderate or small.
Maximum length recorded 14.1cm (TL).

HabitatFreshwater; brackish; pelagic; amphidromous.

Distribution
Asia: rivers and associated water bodies of Sri Lanka, India (Ganges and other rivers ofOrissa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam), Pakistan and Bangladesh.
(The Andaman record is doubtful - perhaps Anodontostoma selangkat).

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC); VU/N (CAMP, 1998)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968). The species islocally known as Makundi in Odia. In Chilika, though it occurs in good number
its landing has not been estimated separately and the fish is included in the
miscellaneous group. This herbivorous and column feeder fish has commercial
value which fetches an average unit price of Rs.60-70/kg. The fish is abundantin northern and central sectors and occasionally in the outer channel during
monsoon flood when there is unidirectional freshwater flow to the sea.

68

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteGudusia chapra (Hamilton, 1822)
Indian river shad
Odia: Gudua, Orati

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Clupeidae
Genus : Gudusia
Species : Gudusia chapra

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. Body fairly deep; 26 to 29 scutes along belly. A
single triangular pectoral axillary scale; depressed tip of dorsal fin to behind verticalfrom anal fin origin. Hind margin of scales smooth. Dark blotch behind gill opening,
often followed by a series of spots along flank. Gill rakers fine and numerous, increasing
with size of fish (100 to 280 at 4 to 16 cm standard length). Maximum length recorded
20cm (TL).

HabitatFreshwater; brackish; pelagic; potamodromous.

Distribution
Asia: rivers of India and Bangladesh affluent to the Bay of Bengal (chiefly the Ganges
and Brahmaputra systems and the Mahanadi River of Orissa).

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Jones and Sujansinghani (1954). The
species is locally known as Gudua, Orati in Odia. In Chilika Lake, this omnivore fish
predominantly occurs in northern sector followed by central sector and mostly
landed under the miscellaneous group at Jaguleipadara landing centre (Kanasa
Block), Bhusandapur and Kalupada landing centres in northern sector. The fish
has commercial value which fetches an average unit price of Rs.70/kg and mostly
consumed locally.

Chilika Development Authority

69

Hilsa kelee (Cuvier, 1829)
Kelee shad
Odia: Pandapila / Kelipila

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Clupeidae
Genus : Hilsa
Species : Hilsa kelee

Diagnostic features
Body fairly deep and compressed, belly with distinct keel of scutes. Dorsal spines (total):
0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-19; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 21 - 23. Top of head withnumerous fronto-parietal striae; upper jaw with median notch. gill rakers about 100
to 175, those on inner arches distinctly curled; outer row of gill filaments on first arch
not more than half length of gill rakers. A series of small triangular scales above axilof pectoral fin; hind part of body scales perforated. A black spot behind gill opening;
usually 10 along flank. Maximum length recorded 35.0 cm (TL) (Heemstra, 1995).

HabitatMarine; freshwater; brackish; pelagic-neritic; anadromous.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: probably all coasts of Indian Ocean, from Gulf of Oman and Gulf ofAden south to Transkei, South Africa and Madagascar, across the Bay of Bengal, Gulfof Thailand, Java Sea and north to Hong Kong and east to Papua New Guinea andpossibly further.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)70

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Roy and Sahoo (1957) which wascollected from Satapada area in the outer channel. The species is locally known
as Pandapila / Kelipila in Odia. Although it was occurring in good numbers in thecommercial catches during monsoon and post-monsoon seasons in the northern
sector in the past, currently the fish is rarely found in commercial catches. It breeds
in freshwater zone near Daya mouth in northern sector during July-September.
The fish is commercially important which is liked by local consumers and is sold at
an average price of Rs.60-70/kg. Its distribution is restricted with northern sector
and outer channel.

Chilika Development Authority

71

Nematalosa nasus (Bloch, 1795)
Bloch’s gizzard shad
Odia: Balangi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Clupeidae
Genus : Nematalosa
Species : Nematalosa nasus

Diagnostic features
The species has strongly compressed body, inferior mouth, dentary strongly flared
outward at corners. Anterior arm of pre-operculum with the third infra-orbital bone ispresent immediately above it. Gill rakers of 1st arch are half or less than length of gill
filaments. A dark spot is present behind gill opening. Belly with 17 to 20 (usually 18) + 9
to 13 (usually 11), total 28 to 32 (usually 30) scutes. Pectoral axillary scale present; hindedge of scales distinctly toothed. Body colour is dark bluish dorsally, silvery below.
D. 0, 15-19; A. 0, 17 – 26.

Habitat
The species inhabits in marine, fresh and brackish water environments; Pelagic-neritic
in nature and perform anadromous type migration.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Gulf of Aden north to the Persian Gulf, then eastward to the Andaman Sea, South China Sea and the Philippines, and north to southern tip of Korea.
Single record from South Africa.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)72

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported
from Chilika by Chaudhuri(1916) which was collected from
Barkul Bay. The species is locallyknown as Balangi in Odia, occurs
throughout the lake. The fish has
good commercial values, sold @Rs 70-100/- per kg. Consumed
locally as fresh, sun dried or dry
salted. Average annual landing is942.66 tonnes valued at Rs. 541.08
lakh. There are two populations
Fig C Annual landings of N. nasus (Balangi) during
2001-02 to 2016-17of this species, one in the lakeand other in the coastal waters.
It is a migratory species, breeds
within Chilika in the southern sector of the lake in the shallow sandy areas of its
eastern end (Jhingran and Natarajan (1966). The breeding season extends fromFebruary-July, the peak period being June-July. Generally caught in screen barrier
net (Khanda), gill net (16-32 mm) and seine net. The mean size in the commercial
catches has been found to be laser than the minimum size at maturity which has
been a concern for stocks sustainability. Maximum size recorded from the lake is
32.8 cm. The species shows wide salinity tolerance, recorded from 0 ppt to 25.6
ppt in Chilika lagoon. Year wise annual landings for 16 years during the postrestoration period (2001-02 to 2016-17) is depicted in Fig C.
Fisheries and population of the fish in Chilika was studied during 1957-65 byJhingran and Natarajan (1966 & 1969). The fish exhibits anadromous breeding
behavior in Chilika Lake and breeds in the eastern and western part of southern
sector of Chilika Lake (Jhingran and Natarajan, 1969). Length weight relationshipof Chilika Balangi was studied by Karna and Panda (2012). Biology of Nematalosanasus from Chilika was studied by ICAR-CIFRI (2017) under ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZMPConsultancy Research Project.

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Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822)
Hilsa shad
Odia: Ilishi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Clupeidae
Genus : Tenualosa
Species : Tenualosa ilisha

Diagnostic features
The species has moderately deep and compressed body. The belly is having 30 to
33 scutes. Head length 28 to 32 % of SL; a distinct median notch is present in theupper jaw. Gill rakers fine and numerous, about 100 to 250 on lower arm of first arch.
Fins hyaline. Caudal fin moderate, 25 to 31% of SL. Presence of a dark blotch behindgill opening, followed by a series of small spots along flank. The notched upper jaw
distinguishes it from other similar clupeids, except Hilsa kelee, which has numerous
longitudinal striae on top of head. Color in life, silver shot with gold and purple.

Habitat
The species dwells in marine, brackish and freshwater environments; pelagic-neritic innature and perform anadromous migration.

Distribution
Well distributed in Indian Ocean: Persian Gulf to Myanmar and India. Reported fromthe Gulf of Tonkin, Viet Nam, Tigris River basin and rivers of southern Iran. Abundantin India and Bangladesh, particularly in Ganges and Brhamaputra estuaries and Bay of
Bengal.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)74

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported
from Chilika by Chaudhuri(1916) which was collected from
Kalupadaghat area in northern
sector. The species is locallyknown as Ilishi in Odia. This is oneof the commercially importanthigh value fishes of Chilika Lake
which had a flourishing fisheryin the past (1960s) but it started
declining from 1970 onwards.
Fig D Annual landings of T. ilisha (Ilishi) during
Extreme fluctuation in the annual
2001-02 to 2016-17
landings is a common feature of
Hilsa fishery in Chilika. During theperiod 1957-65 the annual landing fluctuated between 30-293 tonnes. During thepost-restoration period (2001-02 to 2013-14) its yield fluctuated between 4.08
to 185.47 tonnes (average 53.11 t). This species breeds in the freshwater zoneof northern sector of Chilika near the confluence of river Daya between Augustand October. Maximum length of the fish recorded from Chilika is 51.2 cm. There
are two wave of migration from sea into the lake, one at the close of winter andthe other at the commencement of monsoon. The average unit price at the lakesite is Rs.164 per kg and the average annual landing of 53.11 tonnes has beenvalued at Rs.87.10 lakh. Average sectoral landings are of the order (Northern sector> Central sector > Southern sector > Outer channel). Highest annual landing of
185.47 tonnes was registered during 2002-03. The annual landings during thepost-restoration period (2001-02 to 2016-17) is depicted in Fig D.
Hilsa fishery of Chilika Lake was first reported by Mitra and Devasundaram (1954)
and later Jones and Sujansingani (1951) described the Hilsa fishery of Chilika Lake.
Fisheries and population of the fish in Chilika was studied during 1957-65 byJhingran and Natarajan (1966 & 1969). The biology of Chilika Ilishi was studied by
Ramakrishnaiah (1972) who also remarked that Chilika Hilsa was a separate stock
for Chilika Lake. This anadromous fish in the lower region of Daya River mouth near
Tuanali in the northern sector. Peak spawning period for the fish in Chilika extends
from August-September and the spawning activity is influenced by the monsoon
floods in the Daya River. Food and feeding habit of Chilika Ilishi was studied by
Karna et al. (2014).

Chilika Development Authority

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Tenualosa toli (Valenciennes, 1847)
Toli shad
Odia: Kelipila

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Clupeidae
Genus : Tenualosa
Species : Tenualosa toli

Diagnostic features
Body fusiform, deep moderately and compressed strongly. Dorsal profile is somewhat
concave than that of abdomen. Upper jaw contains distinct median notch, lower jaw
included when mouth firmly shut. Maxilla extending to posterior half of orbit and its
exposed portion smooth and covered by skin. Skin covers the dorsal surface of headand no fronto-parietal striae present. Gill filaments of outer hemibranch on 1st arch half
to three quarter length of those of inner hemibranch. Gill raker present on all arches
are straight or slightly curved, fine and numerous. 60-100 (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991)
gill raker present in lower part of first arch. Pseudobranch not attenuated and without
ventral groove. Teeth is absent. Maximum length recorded 60.0 cm (TL) (Rainboth, W.J.,
1996); 50 cm (TL) (Huda et al. 2003).
Head 3.7-4.0 in standard, 4.9-5.2 in total length. Height 2.8-3.0 in standard, 3.7-4.0 in
total length, Eye 4.5-5.0; Snout and interorbital slightly over eye diameter. Length ofmaxilla 2.2-2.4 in head, pectoral 4.39-5.3, pelvics 8.8-9.8 in standard length.
Median lateral series contain 40-41 scales and 13-14 scales in transverse series. Edge ofscales pectinated and caudal is covered by minute scale. 29-31 scutes, 17-18 prepelvic,
12-13 post pelvic.
Dorsal originates from nearer to snout than to caudal base. Maxillary scales present on
pectoral and pelvic. Origin of pelvic below 4th to 7th branched ray of dorsal. Caudal fin
longer than head and upper lobe is shorter than lower lobe.
Color of body is silvery shot with yellow and purple. Shoulder bares a dark spot andpresent in behind the gill. Fins are hyaline. Scales on back more or less dark colored.

HabitatMarine; freshwater; brackish; pelagic-neritic; anadromous.

76

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteDistribution
Indo-West Pacific: India to the Java Sea and the South China Sea. Newly recorded from
Mauritius. May be found in Cambodian Mekong near the Viet Nam border.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Satapathy and Panda (2009) which
was collected from outer channel and central sector of the lake. The species
is locally known as Kelipila in Odia. It is a commercially important fish whichis caught during post-monsoon season from the northern sector. It breeds infreshwater zone near Daya mouth in northern sector during July-September.
The fish is mostly caught by local fishermen in Patua jaal and Khandas which ismostly mixed with juvenile T. ilisha. It is a tasty fish liked by local consumers and its
average selling price ranges from Rs.80-100/kg. Its landing is negligible in Chilika
and does not form a commercial fishery.

Chilika Development Authority

77

Stolephorus commersonnii Lacepede, 1803
Commerson’s anchovy
Odia: Manohari Chauli Patua

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Engraulidae
Genus : Stolephorus
Species : Stolephorus commersonnii

Diagnostic features
The fish has a cylindrical body and rounded belly with 2-4 sharp scutes between
pectoral and ventral fins. Maxilla is long, whose tip pointed and extending beyond
posterior border of pre-operculum. Small sized teeth present on the upper edge ofhyoid bones. Isthmus is continuous and does not have s silvery plate in front. Ventral
fin reaches beyond dorsal fin origin. Gill rakers are 23-28 on lower arm of first arch. Predorsal spine absent. Anal fin originates from below the second half of dorsal fin base.
Body of the fish is creamy white with bright silvery stripe along the flanks. A double
dark line on back before dorsal fin present.
D. 15-17; A. 21-23; P. 13-14; V. 7.

Habitat
It is a marine to brackish dwelling species; pelagic-neritic in habit and anadromous innature.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: East Africa, from Gulf of Aden to Zanzibar, northern Madagascar andMauritius, eastward to Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916). The species
is locally known as Manohari Chauli Patua in Odia, the fish species is foundthroughout the lagoon. A commercially important species; consumed locally aswell as traded outside the state in both fresh and sun dried form. Caught throughseine nets (drag net/ bhida jala), screen barrier (Khanda) net. Sold @ Rs 60-80/- kg
at the landing center.

78

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteStolephorus dubiosus Wongratana, 1983
Thai anchovy
Odia: Chauli Patua

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Engraulidae
Genus : Stolephorus
Species : Stolephorus dubiosus

Diagnostic features
The fish has a cylindrical body and round belly, with 4 to 7 small needle-like pre-pelvic
scutes. Maxilla tippointed, reaching to or beyond hind border of pre-operculum; thepre-operculum is concave, indented near maxilla tip. Anal fin is short, originatesbelow
about middle length of dorsal fin base. The species differs from Stolephorus
commersonnii by the presence of a small pre-dorsal spine and another on the pelvic
scute. Unlike S. commersonnii, it has double pigment line present on the back, behindthe dorsal fin.
D. 0; A. 18-19; P. 13-14; V. 7.

Habitat
The species dwells in marine and brackish water systems; pelagic-neritic in nature andamphidromous in migration.

Distribution
Eastern Indian Ocean: northern part of Bay of Bengal. Western Pacific: Gulf of Thailand,Java Sea to at least Kalimantan.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Wongratana (1983). The species
is locally known as Chauli Patua in Odia. Distributed throughout the lagoon; Acommercially important species; consumed locally as well as traded outside thestate in both fresh and sun dried form. Caught through seine nets (drag net/ bhidajala), screen barrier (Khanda). Sold @ Rs. 60-80/- kg. The species forms an averagecomposition of about 25% in the total catch of anchovies (Patua).
Chilika Development Authority

79Stolephorus indicus (van Hasselt, 1823)
Indian anchovy
Odia: Chauli Patua / Bali Kokali

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Engraulidae
Genus : Stolephorus
Species : Stolephorus indicus

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 18- 21. Belly with 2 to 6 small needle-like pre-pelvic scutes. Maxilla tip pointed, reaching
to or only just beyond front border of pre-operculum; hind border of pre-operculum
convex, rounded. Isthmus muscle tapering evenly forward to hind border of branchialmembrane. Body light transparent fleshy brown, with silver stripe down flank; no dark
pigment lines on back between head and dorsal fin.

HabitatMarine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and South Africa, including the Persian Gulf, Madagascar andMauritius eastward to Hong Kong, the Arafura Sea, northern and eastern coasts ofAustralia and further east to Samoa and Tahiti.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated |(NE)|

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which was collectedfrom the lake near Balugaon. The species is locally known as Chauli Patua / Bali
Kokili in Odia. It is well distributed in central, southern and outer channel sector
and less in northern sector, forming a good fishery in the lake. The fish is less amarine migrant and more a resident species in Chilika. It also breeds in the lake incentral and southern sector during later part of the winter, peak spawning season
is end of summer and beginning of the rains. Its annual landing during 2016-17
was estimated at 103 tonnes and the average unit price was Rs.85/-kg. The fish
is landed in more quantity at Balugaon, Sorana, Kalupada and Keshpur landing
centres in Chilika. The fish is generally consumed locally having good consumer
preference.

80

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteThryssa hamiltonii Gray, 1835
Hamilton’s thryssa
Odia: Koncha Patua

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Engraulidae
Genus : Thryssa
Species : Thryssa hamiltonii

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 32 - 39. Belly with 23 to 26 keeledscutes from isthmus to anus. Tip of snout above level of eye center, usually about levelof upper rim of eye. Maxilla short or moderate; first supra-maxilla small, oval. A dark
blotch behind upper part of gill opening. Maximum recorded size 27.0 cm.

HabitatMarine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; amphidromous.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Persian Gulf eastward to Myanmar, Andamans and Penang; Taiwan south
to Arafura Sea, the northern coasts of Australia and Papua New Guinea; Sarawak; arecord from the Bonin Islands; presumably the Philippines; perhaps not eastward to
the Hebrides, etc.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Jones and Sujansingani (1954) which
was collected from the lake near Balugaon. The species is locally known as Koncha
Patua in Odia. Its occurrence is abundant in southern sector and central sector of
the lake. Large number of its young once occur in the during rainy season. The fish
has very good commercial value with consumer preference. The fish is generallycaught by seine net (Patua jaal) and also in Khanda. Ptential landing centre for thisspecies are Keshpur, Balugaon, Sorana etc. Annual landing of this species during
2016-17 was estimated at 91 tonnes and the average unit price was Rs.80/-kg.
Total landing of this fish is marketed fresh locally and in the nearby urban markets.

Chilika Development Authority

81Thryssa malabarica (Bloch, 1795)
Malabar thryssa
Odia: Babana Patua

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Engraulidae
Genus : Thryssa
Species : Thryssa malabarica

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 34 - 38. Belly with 23 to 26 keeledscutes (isthmus to anus). Tip of snout about level of upper rim of eye. Maxilla moderate; first supra-maxilla small, oval; jaw teeth small. A dark blotch behind upper part ofgill opening; small spots on cheek, gill cover, maxilla and paired fins; gill arches pinkyorange, inside of gill cover yellow and gold; inner part of anal fin deep yellow, margin
whitish. Maximum length recorded 17.5cm (SL) (Whitehead et al., 1988).

HabitatMarine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; amphidromous.

Distribution
Indian Ocean: India, perhaps reaching to Pakistan, but not recorded from the Gulf andthe Red Sea, its place in the Gulf being taken by Thryssa whiteheadi.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated |(NE)|

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which wasrecorded as Engraulis kempi. The species is locally known as Babana Patua in Odia.
So far, 13 Thryssa species of have been reported of Chilika Lake of which three
species were recorded during post-restoration period. All Setipinna, Stolephorus
and Thryssa sp. under family Engraulidae forms the largest composition in thecommercial landings of finfish which worked out to 18.04% during 2016-17. The
estimated landing of this Thryssa species was more than 290 tonnes during 201617 and the average unit price was Rs.42/kg. The fish mostly sold locally and in the
nearby urban markets.

82

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteThryssa mystax (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Moustached thryssa
Odia: Phasi Patua

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Engraulidae
Genus : Thryssa
Species : Thryssa mystax

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 29 - 37. Belly with 24 to 32 keeledscutes from isthmus to anus. Tip of snout on a level with eye center. Maxilla long,reaching to or almost to base of first pectoral fin ray; first supra-maxilla oval, minute.
Lower gill rakers with serrae on the inner edge even and not clumped. A dark blotch
behind upper part of gill opening. Colour back blue / green, flanks silvery; a black venulose area behind gill opening, with a golden area before it. Maximum recorded size
15.5 cm (SL).

HabitatMarine; brackish; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: western coast of India to Myanmar and south to Java, Indonesia.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which wascollected from Rambha Bay. The species is locally known as Phasi Patua in Odia.
Its occurrence is abundant in central and southern sector but it is distributed in all
the four sectors of the lake. The fish has very good commercial value with good
consumer preference. Seine nets (Patua jaal), Khanda and gill nets are common
gears for the species. Annual landing of the species was estimated at 78.8 tonnes
during 2016-17. Entire catch is marketed locally and in the nearby urban markets.
Average unit price is Rs.85/-kg. Potential landing centres for this species are
Keshpur, Balugaon, Sorana etc.

Chilika Development Authority

83Thryssa polybranchialis Wongratana, 1983
Humphead thryssa
Odia: Patua

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Engraulidae
Genus : Thryssa
Species : Thryssa polybranchialis

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 35 - 39. Belly with 15 to 17 + 9 or
10 = 25 to 27 keeled scutes from isthmus to anus. A distinct hump at nape; tip of snout
above upper rim of eye. Maxilla short, not quite or only just reaching to edge of gillcover; first supra-maxilla minute, oval. A dark blotch behind upper part of gill opening.
Scutes present before and behird the pelvic-fin base. Maximum length recorded 17.0
cm (SL) (Whitehead et al. 1988).

HabitatMarine; pelagic-neritic.

Distribution
Indian Ocean: eastern and western coasts of India.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated |(NE)|

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Bhatta et al. (2001). The species islocally known as Patua in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is found mostly in thecentral and southern sector, particularly around Kalijai hill. Its catch is grouped
under the common Patua catch; generally caught in “Patua jaal” (Boat seine).
During 2016-17, the total annual landing of thryssa and stolephorous species was
2002.73 tonnes forming 13.13% of the total catch in which the estimated catch ofthis species was 520 tonnes valued at Rs.260.00 lakhs. The fish is mostly consumed
locally and in the adjacent urban and village markets.

84

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteThryssa purava (Hamilton, 1882)
Oblique-jaw thryssa
Odia: Kana Patua, Phasi Patua

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Engraulidae
Genus : Thryssa
Species : Thryssa purava

Diagnostic features
The species has a sub-elongated body and keeled belly with 26 or 27 scutes fromisthmus to anus. Tip of the snout is a little above the level of eye center. Maxilla ismoderate, projecting at most to halfway the pectoral fin base.First supra-maxilla issmall and angle of the mouth is oblique. Teeth of the lower jaw are slightly enlarged.
An indistinct dark blotch is present behind the upper part of the gill opening anda faint dark line is present along theback. The species is distinguished from related
species by the larger number of anal fin rays and moderate maxilla length.
D. 0; A. III, 38-44.

Habitat
It is marine and brackish water in nature; pelagic-neritic in habitat and oceanodromousin migration.

Distribution
Indian Ocean: Eastern coasts of India and Myanmar.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which wascollected from Nalabana area. The species is locally known as Kana Patua / Phasi
Patua in Odia; occurs in all sectors of the lagoon but dominantly in central andsouthern sector. Caught through seine nets (drag net) and screen barrier nets. The
fish is sold at Rs. 60-80/kg and consumed fresh or sun dried. The species accounts
for average annual landing of 1148.24 tonnes along with other related species
with average annual catch value of 561.44 lakhs INR. The fish being caught insizable quantity and moderately priced is quite popular among local people.
Chilika Development Authority

85Thryssa setirostris (Broussonet, 1782)
Longjaw thryssa
Odia: Samudra Patua

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Engraulidae
Genus : Thryssa
Species : Thryssa setirostris

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. Belly with 25 to 28 keeled scutes. Distinguishedfrom all other Thryssa species and anchovies by the very long maxilla, reaching at least
to tip of pectoral fin, usually to pelvic fin base or even to anal fin origin; also unique isthe high coronoid process of the lower jaw, the jaw rising steeply in the mouth. Headwith gold tints; anal and caudal fins deep yellow; dark spot behind gills. Maximum
length recorded 18.0cm (SL) (Munroe and Nizinski, 1999).

HabitatMarine; brackish; pelagic-neritic.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Gulf of Oman south to Port Alfred, no records from the Red Sea andMadagascar; coasts of Pakistan, India, probably Burma; Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines
to Taiwan; also the Arafura Sea, northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon
Islands and New Hebrides.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated |(NE)|

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007) which wascollected from Parikud area. The species is locally known as Samudra Patua in Odia.
Its annual landing was estimated at 271 tonnes during 2016-17. The fish distributed
mostly in the southern sector and central sector and also caught from outer channel
and northern sector. Major catch of this fish comes from Patua jaal (Seine net). The
fish is mostly sold in the local and nearby urban markets at an average unit priceof Rs.45/kg. Maximum landing of this fish takes place at Balugaon landing centre
followed by Sorana and Kalupada in the northern sector. In the southern sector,
Keshpur landing centre receives substantial catch of this fish.

86

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteThryssa vitrirostris (Gilchrist & Thompson, 1908)
Orangemouth anchovy
Odia: Kana Patua

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Engraulidae
Genus : Thryssa
Species : Thryssa vitrirostris

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 31 - 40. Belly with 16 to 19 + 8 t0
12 = 24 to 30 keeled scutes from isthmus to anus. Maxilla long, reaching beyond baseof first pectoral fin ray; minute, oval first supra-maxilla. Lower gill rakers with serrae on
the inner edge in distinct clumps in larger fishes. A dark blotch behind upper part ofgill opening; inside of gill cavity bright orange. Maximum length recorded 20.0cm (TL)
(Munroe and Nizinski, 1999).

HabitatMarine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; schooling in inshore waters.

Distribution
Indian Ocean: Madagascar, coasts of Africa from Port Alfred northward to the Persian
Gulf but not in the Red Sea, coasts of Pakistan and India, perhaps to Calcutta and off
Myanmar, but no records.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohanty et al. (2015). The species islocally known as Kana Patua in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish occurs abundantly
in southern sector between Kalijai and Rambha and is landed in more quantity at
Keshpur, Rambha in the southern sector and Balugaon landing centres in central
sector. The estimated landing of this Engraulid fish during 2016-17 was 218 tonnes
which fetched an average unit price of Rs.50-60/kg. It is one of the most popular
Patua fish having commercial value and mostly sold locally.

Chilika Development Authority

87

Ilisha elongata (Anonymous [Bennett], 1830)
Elongate ilisha / Big eye ilisha
Odia: Luni Paniakhia

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Pristigasteridae
Genus : Ilisha
Species : Ilisha elongata

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 43 - 53. Body slender, belly withusually 24 to 25 + 10 to 15, total 34 to 42 scutes. Eye large, lower jaw projecting.
Dorsal fin origin at about midpoint of body or a little behind; anal fin origin a little
behind dorsal fin base. Swim bladder with a long tube passing back down right side ofbody above anal fin base. 19-25 gill rakers on lower limb of 1st arch. Maximum length
recorded 60.0 cm (TL) (Novikov, 2002).

HabitatMarine; brackish; pelagic-neritic. Generally inhabits coastal waters and lagoons.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Indian Ocean (Kuwait Bay and Pondicherry), Java Sea (Singapore), East
China Sea (Canton north to the Koreas and southern Japan, as far as Osaka on the
Pacific coast and Fukuoka in Sea of Japan, also Peter the Great Bay in Soviet waters).

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated |(NE)|

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which wascollected from northern sector. The species is locally known as Luni Paniakhia inOdia. The fish has been rarely occurring in the lake, mostly found in outer channel
between Magarmukh and Moto village. It does not form a fishery of its own but
is mixed with brackish water miscellaneous fish group. The average unit price is
Rs.50-60/kg.

88

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteIlisha megaloptera (Swainson, 1839)
Bigeye ilisha
Odia: Paniakhia / Sana Bajara

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Pristigasteridae
Genus : Ilisha
Species : Ilisha megaloptera

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 38 - 53. Body rather deep, belly
with 19 to 23 + 8 to 12, total 28 to 35 (usually 30 to 34) scutes. Eye large, lower jaw
strongly projecting. Dorsal fin origin near midpoint of body; anal fin origin below hindpart of dorsal fin base. Swim bladder with a single long tube passing back down rightside of body above anal fin base. No toothed hypo-maxilla.

HabitatMarine; freshwater; brackish; pelagic-neritic; anadromous

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Indian Ocean (Bombay to Bay of Bengal and Andaman coast of Thailand),Java Sea (off Java, Singapore). Sarawak, `Cochinchina’ and Macao specimens should be
rechecked.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which wascollected from Northern Sector of Chilika Lake. The species is locally known as
Paniakhia / Sana Bajara in Odia. The fish does not form a sizable fishery in thelake and is mixed with brackishwater miscellaneous group. A tasty food fish withaverage unit price of Rs.70-80/kg; mostly marketed fresh and also sun dried.

Chilika Development Authority

89

Opisthopterus tardoore (Cuvier, 1829)
Bluespot mullet
Odia: Sana Bajra / Luni Paniakhia

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Clupeiformes
Family : Pristigasteridae
Genus : Opisthopterus
Species : Opisthopterus tardoore

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 51 - 63. Belly convex in front, with29 to 35 scutes. Mouth pointing obliquely upward; lower gill rakers 22 to 28, increasing
with size of fish. Pectoral fin usually about equal to head length or greater; dorsal fin
small, well behind midpoint of body; anal fin long, its origin well before dorsal fin
origin. Maximum length recorded 20.0 cm (SL) (Rainboth, 1996).

HabitatMarine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; amphidromous.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: in tropical waters, from the Gulf of Oman to at least Madras, perhaps
to the north and along the coasts of Myanmar, certainly at Penang, to the Java Sea, andGulf of Thailand.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohanty et al. (2015). The species
is locally known as Sana Bajra / Luni Paniakhia in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish
is found occasionally in the outer channel sector. It is basically a coastal fish,occasionally enters into the outer channel sector of the lake for feeding purpose.
Its catch is negligible; sold at an average price of Rs.60/kg. Its annual catch has notbeen estimated separately.

90

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteChanos chanos (Forsskal, 1775)
Milkfish
Odia: Seba Khainga

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Gonorynchiformes
Family : Chanidae
Genus : Chanos
Species : Chanos chanos

Diagnostic features
The fish has a torpedo-shaped body and a small, terminal and non-protractile mouth
without teeth. Head and snout are conically pointed and compressed, upper jaw
slightly projecting over lower. Eyes are not visible fromventral surface and are covered
with an adipose layer. Accessory branchial organ present in a recess behind the true gillcavity. Dorsal and anal fin bases have scaly sheath and base of pectoral and ventral finshave axillary scales. The fish lacks spines in fins. Caudal fin is deeply forked, whereas
dorsal fin is falcate. Body is bluish green on back and silvery on sides. Dorsal, anal andcaudal fin margins are dusky.

HabitatMarine to freshwaterin nature; benthopelagic and amphidromous in habit.

Distribution
Distributed is the Indo-Pacific: along continental shelves and around islands of Red
Sea and South Africa to Hawaii and the Marquesas, north to Japan, south to Victoria,
Australia. Eastern Pacific: San Pedro, California to the Galapagos.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Chilika Development Authority

91

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which wascollected from Chilika near Barkul. The species is locally known as Seba khainga in
Odia, found throughout the lagoon. It is a migratory species that has an averageannual landing of 4.43 t. Sold at Rs. 120-200/kg; average annual catch valuation
is about Rs. 4.68 lakhs. A commercially important species, consumed locally, iscaught through gill net and screen barrier net (Khanda). This species was forming
a commercial fishery in the past and was growing to larger size in Chilika before
1980s. Thereafter its catch consistently declined and was almost missing from thecommercial catch during the eco-degredation period. However, with the openingof the new lake mouth the fish strated reappearing in commercial landings butlater it did not improve.

92

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteAmblypharyngodon mola (Hamilton, 1822)
Mola carplet
Odia: Mohurali

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus : AmblypharyngodonSpecies : Amblypharyngodon molaDiagnostic features
Body moderately compressed, dorsal profile more convex than ventral, snout rounded,covered with thin skin, caudal deeply forked. Lateral line incomplete and extend up to
15 scales. Scale small. Colour silvery, a dark band, runs on both sides of the body fromhead to tail. Dorsal and anal with black edge, longest specimen in collection 6.5cm
from Barnai river. Talwar and Jhingran (1991) reported this species attains a length of
20cm.

HabitatFreshwater; benthopelagic

Distribution
Asia: Pakistan, India (throughout India except Kerala), Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Bhatta et al. (2001). The species islocally known as Mohurali in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is frequently foundin the northern sector, particularly in the river mouth zone and mainly landed
at Jaguleipadara landing centre (Kanasa Block), Bhusandapur and Kalupadalanding centres in the northern sectors. The fish is caught in good quantity during
September to December and the average annual landing has been estimated at
22.50 tonnes. This omnivorous fish is multiple breeder and therefore is available
in the northern sector of the lake almost throughout the year with peak during
September-October. It is a commercially important fish (carplet) fetching an
average unit price of Rs.180-200/kg which is mostly consumed locally. The fish isrich in essential nutrients useful for human health.
Chilika Development Authority

93Gibelion catla (Hamilton, 1822)
Catla (Indian major carp)
Odia: Bhakura

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus : Gibelion
Species : Gibelion catla

Diagnostic features
The fish has a short and deep body with depth 2.5 to 3 times more in standard length.
The species has a very large head and a large, upturned mouth, with a prominent
protruding lower jaw. The upper lip is absent and lower lip is thick. Fins are usuallydark in color; pectoral fins being long, extending to pelvic fins. Body is covered withlarge cycloid scales and the colour is grayish above and silvery on sides and beneath.
D. 17; A. 7-8; Ll. 40-43.

Habitat
The fish is fresh water in nature; benthopelagic and show potamodromous migration.

Distribution
Distributed in Asian countries like Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Jones and Sujansingani (1954). The
species is locally known as Bhakura. Being a river migrant, the species is caught
mainly from northern sector of the lagoon. A commercially important species,
its average annual yield is 0.55 t. Sold @ Rs. 150-180/kg, the species has averageannual catch value of Rs. 0.66 lakhs. The species is caught through gill nets;
consumed locally as well as transported to Howrah market (West Bengal).

94

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteChela cachius (Hamilton, 1822)
Silver hatchet chela
Odia: Bankusa Chela

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus : Chela
Species : Chela cachius

Diagnostic features
Body elongate, deep and compressed with slightly oblique mouth. Body depth 3.2-4.6
times in standard length. Lateral line complete and curved downwards. 51-56 scales
on lateral line.
Body colour translucent, shining brilliant silver. Light olive on back and whitish below.
A greenish longitudinal band from level of dorsal fin. Fins are yellowish.

HabitatFreshwater; brackish; benthopelagic.

Distribution
Asia: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Jones and Sujansinghani (1954).
The species is locally known as Bankusa chela in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish isfrequently found in the northern sector, particularly in the river mouth zone andoccasionally in the central sector of the lake. The fish is landed in more quantities at
Jaguleipadara landing centre under Kanasa block in northern sector, Bhusandapur,
Kalupadaghat and Sorana landing centres in northern sector. The fish caught from
Chilika Lake is mostly consumed locally. Annual landing of this freshwater fish is
negligible but has good commercial value. The fish also has ornamental value andis used in home aquarium. The average unit price at Chilika is Rs.80-100/kg.

Chilika Development Authority

95

Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822)
Mrigal carp (Indian major carp)
Odia: Mirikali

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus : Cirrhinus
Species : Cirrhinus mrigala

Diagnostic features
The body is elongated and streamlined or laterally compressed. Dorsal profile moreconvex than that of abdomen. Ventral profile slightly convex. Grayish or greenish colouron the back and silvery at the sides and below. Fins are slightly orange coloured inlarger specimen. Lateral line present and complete with about 40-45 scales. Maximum
length recorded 99cm (TL) (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991).
Head 21.4% of standard length (SL) and 17.1% of total length (TL). Height 28.6% of SL
and 22.9% of TL. Diameter of eye 16.7% of head length (HL).

HabitatFreshwater; demersal (rivers, reservoirs, canals, ponds and lakes).

Distribution
Asia: Pakistan, Northern India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, now transplanted inpeninsular India.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specificThis Indian major carp species was first reported from Chilika by Roy and Sahoo(1957). The species is locally known as Mirikali in Odia which is a bottom
feeder omnivore. In Chilika Lake, the fish is rarely found in the northern sector,
particularly in the river mouth zone which descends from Daya River. It is landed
at Jaguleipadara and Kalupada landing centres in northern sectors occasionally.
It is a highly prized carp fish fetching high value in the market (Rs.150/kg av.). The
average annual landing in Chilika has been estimated at 0.25 tonnes.

96

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteCirrhinus reba (Hamilton, 1822)
Reba carp (Minor carp)
Odia: Pohola

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus : Cirrhinus
Species : Cirrhinus reba

Diagnostic features
The fish has an elongated body having depth more than head length. Snout isprojected beyond the mouth; mouth is broad and it has a complete upper lip. A thin
cartilaginous cover lies inside the lower jaw.One pair of small rostral barbelpresent.
The height of dorsal fin is less than the body depth. Pectoral fins are almost equal tohead length and caudal fin is deeply forked. Body is covered with hexagonal scales.
D. 17-19; A. 8; P. 19; Ll. 34-38.

HabitatFreshwater in nature; benthopelagic.

Distribution
Distributed in Asian countries like Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Rajan et al. (1968). Locally known as Pohola;
the fish is a riverine migrant and thus
distributed mainly along the northern
sector of the lagoon. The annual landing
suddenly increased during 2001-02,
after opening of the new lake mouth
in 2000 and thereafter low landings
were recorded 2009-10 and then higher
landings were recorded. Its averageannual yield is 28.80 t and averageannual catch valuation is Rs.20.12 lakhs.
Usually the fish caught through gill nets
Fig E Annual landings of C. reba during
and screen barrier nets (Khanda). It is
2001-02 to 2017-18
consumed locally, sold @ Rs. 80-120/kg.
Chilika Development Authority

97

Esomus danrica (Hamilton, 1822)
Flying barb
Odia: Dandikari / Jhai

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus : Esomus
Species : Esomus danrica

Diagnostic features
Body elongate and compressed laterally with pointed head. Lower jaw longer. Body
depth 3.3-4.8 times in SL and head length 2.5-5 times in SL. Mouth small and 2 pairs ofbarbells of which maxillary pair is extremely long reaching middle of the body. Pectorallong and pointed. Lateral line incomplete. 27-30 (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991) scales
in longitudinal series. Maximum length recorded 12.5 cm (TL) (Talwar, and Jhingran,1991).

HabitatFreshwater; brackish; benthopelagic.

Distribution
Asia: Pakistan, Northern India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, now transplanted inpeninsular India.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Roy and Sahoo (1957) which was collectedfrom outer channel near Berhampura during flood season. The species is locally known
as Dandikari / Jhai in Odia. This insectivore freshwater minnow (weed fish) occurs in
Chilika Lake in the freshwater zone of northern sector. During flood season, it also
descend down up to outer channel when there is unidirectional freshwater flow into
the sea. It breeds in the freshwater zone of northern sector and Nalabana area in thecentral sector. The fish is caught between Daya river mouth and Kalupadaghat andoften they are caught in the shore line waters up to Balugaon. This is a very good
freshwater ornamental fish usually utilized as aquarium fish. Its catch is negligible andis included in the landing of miscellaneous freshwater fish group in Chilika.

98

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteLabeo boga (Hamilton, 1822)
Boga labeo
Odia: Mundha Bata

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus : Labeo
Species : Labeo boga

Diagnostic features
Body is elongated and its dorsal profile is rather more convex than the ventral. Snout
is projecting beyond mouth, devoid of lateral lobe, occasionally covered with large
pores. Eyes are large, mouth is narrow, lips are quite thick and lower lip joined to isthmus by a bridge. Barbells are a minute maxillary pair only. Dorsal fin is inserted nearer
to snout tip than to base of caudal fin, placed above or slightly anterior to tip of pectoral fin. Lateral line with 37 to 39 scales. Colour in life, often with dark spot above pectoral fin and fins with reddish tinge. Above morphological description are quite similar
to Talwar and Jhingran (2001). Maximum length recorded 30cm (TL).
Minimum and maximum value of scales number on the lateral line is 60 and 70 respectively. Minimum and maximum value of scales number above the lateral line is 5 and6 respectively. Minimum and maximum value of scales number below the lateral lineis 7 and 9 respectively. Scales number mentioned by other writer are as follows, 60-65
scales on the lateral, 37-40 scales on the lateral.

HabitatFreshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous. Column feeder, predominantly plankton
feeder.

Distribution
Asia: Pakistan, India (Assam, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh& Bengal), Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)

Chilika Development Authority

99

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007). The species
is locally known as Mundha bata in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is occasionallyfound in the northern sector, particularly in the river mouth zone and mostly
landed at Jaguleipadara and Bhusandapur landing centres in northern sector. It
is a commercially important freshwater fish, mostly consumed locally and fetches
an average unit price of Rs.120-130/kg. Its landing is estimated under the group“miscellaneous freshwater fishes” from Chilika.

100

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteLabeo gonius (Hamilton, 1822)
Kuria labeo
Odia: Khursia

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus : Labeo
Species : Labeo gonius

Diagnostic features
The body is elongated and its dorsal profile is more convex than the ventral. The Snoutslightly projects beyond the mouth. It is without lateral lobe and studded with numerous
pores. The size of the eyes is moderate and not visible from underside of the head. Mouthis narrow and sub inferior with thick lips and fringed with a distinct inner fold in theircircumference. Two pairs of very short barbells are present (rostral and maxillary). Dorsal
fin inserted nearer to snout-tip than to base of caudal fin. Pectoral fins are about as long as
the head. Caudal fin deeply forked, with pointed lobes. Scales are small. Lateral line with 71
to 84 scales; lateral line transverse scale rows 9 to 13 between the lateral line and pelvic fin
base. Colour: in life, greenish-black on back, become dull white on flanks and belly; scale
darkest at their margins and several scales with red lunules giving the impression of faintlongitudinal lines. Maximum length recorded 150cm (TL).

HabitatFreshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous. Column feeder, plankto phagus omnivorous.

Distribution
Asia: Pakistan, India (Indo-Gangetic plain, Gujarat, Assam along east coast to Krishna
River), Bangladesh and Myanmar.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007). The species
is locally known as Khursia in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish occurs occasionally inthe river mouth zone of northern sector during monsoon season. Annual landingof this fish is negligible but is highly in demand in the local fresh fish market which
fetches an average unit price of Rs.120-130/kg. Its landing is estimated in thegroup “freshwater miscellaneous species”.
Chilika Development Authority

101Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)

Roho labeo / Rohu (Indian major carp)
Odia: Rohi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus : Labeo
Species : Labeo rohita

Diagnostic features
Dorsal fin with 12-14 1/2 branched rays; lower profile of head conspicuously arched; short dorsal
fin with anterior branched rays shorter than head; 12-16 predorsal scales ; snout without laterallobe. Maximum length recorded 200cm (TL).

HabitatFreshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; potamodromous. Column feeder planktophagous

Distribution
Asia: Pakistan, India (throughout India), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Jones and Sujansinghani (1954). The species
is locally known as Rohi in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is frequently found in the northern
sector, particularly in the river mouth zone
in the northern sector and occasionally inthe central sectors of the lake. The fish islanded in more quantities at Jaguleipadara
under Kanasa Block, Bhusandapur and
Kalupadaghat landing centres in northern
sector. Higher catch has been observed
during post-monsoon season which extends
up to November. The average estimatedannual landing is 14.78 tonnes and theaverage unit price is Rs.130-150/kg. Average
size in the commercial catch ranges from 1.5
Fig F Annual landings of L. rohita during
to 4.0 kg. It is mostly consumed locally and2001-02 to 2017-18
also sold in Cuttack city market.

102

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteLaubuka laubuca (Hamilton, 1822)
Indian glass barb
Odia: Banko Chela

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus : Laubuka
Species : Laubuka laubuca

Diagnostic features
Body elongate, deep and compressed with slightly oblique mouth. Body depth 2.5-4.1
times in standard length. Lateral line complete with 31-37 scales. Pectoral wing-likeand large. Maximum length recorded 7.0cm (TL) (Pethiyagoda, 1991).
Body colour translucent, shining silver to greenish-gray with a violet luster on caudal
peduncle. Vertical steel-blue markings on sides of the body. A deep black, goldenedged blotch at the base of caudal fin. Fins are yellowish.

HabitatFreshwater; brackish; pelagic.

Distribution
Asia: Pakistan, India (Western Ghats & Gangetic watersheds), Bangladesh, Sri Lanka,
Nepal, Myanmar, Malay Peninsula and Indonesia.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC); LRlc/N (CAMP, 1998)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Jones and Sujansinghani (1954).
The species is locally known as Banko chela in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish isfrequently found in the freshwater zone of northern sector, particularly in the rivermouth zone and the outfall zone of rivulets near Bhusandapur. The fish is landed
in more quantities at Jaguleipadara, Bhusandapur and Kalupada landing centre
in northern sector. The catch is mixed with miscellaneous freshwater group. This
glass barb species has both commercial and ornamental value to be used in homeaquarium. The fish is sold locally at an average unit price of Rs.50-60/kg.

Chilika Development Authority

103Osteobrama peninsularis Silas, 1952
Peninsular Osteobrama
Odia: Chalanta / Phula Kerandi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus : Osteobrama
Species : Osteobrama peninsularis

Diagnostic features
The fish has a short, deep and laterally compressed body with a short head. Snoutis blunt and rounded with a small and partially upward mouth. Upper jaw is slightly
longer. Profile over nape is concave and do not possess barbels. Abdomianl edge issharp and keeled entirely or only from pelvic fin base to vent. Pre-dorsal scales countto 21-24. Scales between lateral line and pelvic fin base are14. Caudal fin is forked andthe lower lobe is longer. It has a silvery body with occasional silvery lateral band anddark back.
D. I, 11-12; A. 29-36; P. 13; V. 10; Ll. 55-60.

HabitatFreshwater in nature; benthopelagic in habit.

Distribution
Distributed in Asia. In India, the species is well distributed in Maharashtra, Orissa andAndhra Pradesh.

IUCN Status
Data Deficient (DD)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007) which wascollected from Bhusandapur area of northern sector during September, 2005. The
species is locally known as Chalanta / Phula Kerandi in Odia. Very rarely found in
the lagoon mainly in the northern sector. The fish is caught through screen barriernets (Khanda) and seine nets as By-catch. The fish is included in the freshwater
miscellaneous group in commercial landing.

104

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstitutePethia ticto (Hamilton, 1822)
Ticto barb, Firefin barb
Odia: Kuji Karandi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus : Pethia
Species : Pethia ticto

Diagnostic features
Mouth is small and its position is terminal. Barbels are absent, colour is silvery. Two
black spots found on the lateral line which in incomplete. Depth of body less than
one-third of the standard length. Maximum length is about 10.2 cm, longest specimen
in collection 3cm.

HabitatSurface feeder and it feeds on Diatom, Algae, Crustaceans, Rotifer, insects etc. this isa small fresh water species of the genus Pethia found in the lower reaches of riverand riverine wetlands, ponds, beels, jheels, pedifeels during monsoon, sometimes atrelatively high altitudes, and apparently shows a preference for substrates of mud or
silt. ENDEMIC to India.

Diet
Likely to be a foraging omnivore feeding on warms, insects and other small
invertebrates, as well as plant materials an organic detritors.

Distribution
Asia: Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand. Occurs in
the upper Mekong, Salween, Irrawaddy, Meklong and upper Chao Phraya basins.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC); EN in India

Chilika Development Authority

105

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which wascollected from Barkul. The species is locally known as Kuji Karandi in Odia.
This small Cyprinidae fish dominantly occurs in Chilika in the freshwater zoneof northern sector and Nalabana area in the central sector. Its average annual
landing in Chilika is 63 tonnes. Highest landing takes place at Kalupada followedby Bhusandapur and Sorana. The fish breeds in Chilika during April-September,
Nalabana sanctuary area in the central sector has been observed as a potential
spawning ground for Pethia ticto, mostly spawning takes place during monsoon.
This small fish is very popular locally, consumed fresh and marketed mostly in thelocal market. Average selling price is Rs.40/kg. The fish is commonly used for homeaquarium having ornamental value.

106

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstitutePuntius chola (Hamilton, 1822)
Swamp barb
Odia: Pita Karandi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus : Puntius
Species : Puntius chola

Diagnostic features
Deep and compressed body with less convex of its lower profile than upper. Terminal
small mouth contain a pair of maxillary barbells. Dorsal fin inserted equidistant
between snout and base of caudal. The last unbranched ray of dorsal fin is osseous,
fairly strong and smooth. Pectoral as long as head excluding snout.
Body silvery with golden opercle. A dark blotch on the base of caudal fin. A black
blotch present at 2nd to 5th ray of dorsal and also one or two rows of dark spots visible
along its centre. During breeding season a red band appear from the alongside of theend of opercle to the end of forked of caudal fin. Head 3.2-3.6 in standard, 4.0-4.7 intotal length. Height 2.6-3.0 in standard, 3.3-3.9 in total length. Eye 3.6-4.2, snout 1.0,
interorbital 1.5-1.6.

HabitatPonds, ditches, lakes, rivers, Nullahs in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, north eastern states, West
Bengal and Odisha.

Distribution
India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC); VU/N

Chilika Development Authority

107

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Bhatta et al. (2001) which wascollected from Kalupadaghat area. The species is locally known as Pita Karandi in
Odia. This small Cyprinidae fish generally occurs in the freshwater zone of northern
sector of Chilika, maximum landings takes place at Kalupadaghat followed by
Bhusandapur and Sorana. Spawning of this swamp barb has been observed at
Nalabana area in the central sector of Chilika. Average annual landing has been
estimated at 20 tonnes. The fish is sold locally and consumed fresh. Small mesheddrag nets and barrier nets are commonly used by local fishermen for catching thisfish. The fish known as a freshwater ornamental fish, mostly maintained in homeaquarium.

108

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstitutePuntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822)
Pool barb
Odia: Patia Karandi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus : Puntius
Species : Puntius sophore

Diagnostic features
The fish has a short, deep and round, silvery body with a lateral blotch on the caudal
peduncle.Cleft of the mouth extends below the first third of the orbit. Upper jaw islonger and lower labial fold is interrupted. Barbels are long and thin. The maxillary
pair are1.5 times larger than the eye diameter. The rostral pair is slightly shorter. Dorsal
spine is smooth, Complete rays are weak and osseous. The fin arises slightly before theventral and midway between the end of the snout and the root of the caudal. Lateralline is complete; As the lateral line passes through the middle of a row of scales. 2 ½
rows of scales between lateral line and the base of the ventral fin is present and 9 rows
before the dorsal fin. Scales are with numerous longitudinal striae. Pectoral, ventral
and anal fins are yellowish. Black spots on mid base of dorsal fin and caudal peduncle
distinguishes the fish from related species.
D. 11-12; A. 8; P. 15; V. 9; Ll. 20-26.

HabitatFreshwater to brackish water in nature; benthopelagic in habit.

Distribution
Distributed in Asia: Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Yunnan, China,
Bhutan and Afghanistan

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)

Chilika Development Authority

109

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which wascollected from Barkul Bay. The species is locally known as Patia Karandi in Odia.
The species is generally caught from the northern and central sectors of the lake. It
is a resident species of the lagoon and also avails it as its breeding ground. Breedingof this Puntius sp. has been observed at Nalabana area during monsoon and postmonsoon season. Although the fish is a small barb, its nutrient composition isquite good and hence an important food fish for human health. Sold @ Rs 50-70/kg. Both fresh and sun dried forms are consumed locally. Gears used for fishing
are gill nets and screen barrier nets. The fish with other related species have anannual average landing of 34.85 t and values for 11.02 lakhs INR. The fish used as a
freshwater ornamental fish in home aquarium.

110

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteRasbora daniconius (Hamilton, 1822)
Slender rasbora / Blackline rasbora
Odia: Jilo / Dandikiri

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus : Rasbora
Species : Rasbora daniconius

Diagnostic features
Body elongate, oblong and compressed with small mouth. No barbells. Lateral line
complete and descends very gradually. 21-34 scales on lateral line. Maximum length
recorded 10.0 cm (TL) (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991).
Body color olive on back and silvery flanks and belly. A prominent blue black stripe
frm eye to base of caudal fin which is delicately edged above and below by a thin andmetallic golden line. A narrow dark spot above anal fin.

HabitatFreshwater; brackish; benthopelagic.

Distribution
Asia: Mekong, Chao Phraya and Salween basins, northern Malay Peninsula, westwards
to the Indus and Sri Lanka.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Roy and Sahoo (1957) which wascollected from Kalupadaghat in the northern sector. The species is locally known as
Jilo / Dandikiri in Odia. The fish is one of the popular minnows / weed fishes whichis available in freshwater zone of northern sector particularly in the shoreline areas.
This freshwater small fish is utilized as a beautiful ornamental fish in freshwateraquarium. Although the species is a good food fish with good nutritional
composition its catch in Chilika is negligible and comes in the commercial landing
being mixed with freshwater miscellaneous fish group. Its average selling pricein the local market ranges from Rs.25-30/kg. The fish is best used as a freshwaterornamental fish.
Chilika Development Authority

111

Salmostoma bacaila (Hamilton, 1822)
Large rozerbelly minnow
Odia: Jaralli / Jellari

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus : Salmostoma
Species : Salmostoma bacaila

Diagnostic features
According to Talwar and Jhingran (1991), body is elongate and strongly by compressed;
mouth is oblique, lower jaw with a well developed symphysial knob; scales are verysmall, dorsal fin inserted well in advance anal fin; a considerable space present between
anal and caudal. Lateral line is concave. Body colour is dorsally darkish but the rest of
the body silvery. Maximum length recorded 18.0cm (TL) (Menon, 1999).

HabitatFreshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; potamodromous.

Distribution
Asia: Pakistan, India (Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Northern India), Bangladesh and
Nepal.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Menon (1961). The species is locallyknown as Jaralli/Jellari in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is frequently found in
the mouth zone of Daya River in northern sector of Chilika and mostly landed
at Jaguleipadara landing centre under Kanasa Block in northern sector and alsoat Bhusandapur and Kalupada landing centres in northern sector. Its landing ismixed with miscellaneous freshwater species constituting about 2.8% which
worked out to nearly 4 tonnes during 2016-17. The fish is highly in demand in thelocal markets fetching an average unit price Rs.140-150/kg.

112

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteSystomus sarana (Hamilton, 1822)
Olive barb
Odia: Serena

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus : Systomus
Species : Systomus sarana

Diagnostic features
Body oblong, head, small, barbels 2 pairs. Maxillary pair longer than orbit, rostral pairshorter. Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays:
5. Maximum length (TL) = 42.0 cm.

HabitatFreshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; potamodromous.

Distribution
India (throughout India except Peninsular), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Bhutan.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC); VU/N

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Jones and Sujansingani (1954)
which was collected from the lake near Balugaon. The species is locally known
as Serena in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is distributed only in northern sector
dominating the freshwater zone near the river outfall zone. Potential landing
centres for this species are Jaguleipadara under Kanasa block in northern sector
and Kalupadaghat (Chilika block) in northern sector. The fish does not occur in theremaining three sectors. The fish caught from the northern sector of the lake ismostly transported to Cuttack and Bhubaneswar cities for marketing. The averagemonthly and annual landings have been estimated at 0.73 tonnes and 8.72 tonnes(2016-17). The average annual catch value was estimated at Rs.0.06 Crores (201617). The fish is generally caught in Khanda and gill net.

Chilika Development Authority

113

Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Hamilton, 1822)
Guntea loach
Odia: Jimani Todi / Konda Tudi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cobitidae
Genus : Lepidocephalichthys
Species : Lepidocephalichthys guntea

Diagnostic features
The body of this fish is elongated and slightly compressed anteriorly and strongly posteriorly. Dorsal and ventral profiles are nearly parallel. Caudal rounded, a light band
extends from snout to caudal. A patch of scales extends from below eye to upper partof operculum. Dorsal fin inserted slightly behind pelvic fin origin. Generally lateralline absent. Colour variable. Generally the ground colour is dirty yellowish. Below andabove band are a series of dark blotches. A black ocellus presents on the upper half ofcaudal base. Dorsal and caudal barred with spots. Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal softrays (total): 8; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 7. Pectoral fin with an osseous spine inmales. Maximum length recorded 15.0 cm (TL) (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991).

HabitatFreshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous. Scavenging habit.

Distribution
Asia: Pakistan, northern India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Thailand. Known fromthe Salween basin.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Roy and Sahoo (1957) which wascollected from the lake near Balugaon. The species is locally known as Konda Tudi
in Odia. This is a very good freshwater ornamental fish which acts as scavenger
in the aquarium. The fish does not form a fishery in Chilika and it is caught in the
miscellaneous freshwater group. Although this small freshwater fish is considered
as a food fish. It is rarely seen in the commercial catch. Collection of live fish fromthe wild is often sold locally for aquarium use at fairly good price (Rs.5-7/each).

114

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteMystus cavasius (Hamilton, 1822)
Gangetic mystus
Odia: Bai Kantia

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Siluriformes
Family : Bagridae
Genus : Mystus
Species : Mystus cavasius

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10 11. Body elongate and compressed; head conical; occipital process narrow. Maxillarybarbels, in adults, extend posteriorly beyond the caudal fin base, but in young
specimen, do not extend beyond the anal fin. Dorsal spine weak, often feebly serrated.
Color is grayish with a more or less well-defined midlateral longitudinal stripe. A dark
spot emphasized by a white or pale area along its ventral margin is just anterior to
the first dorsal spine. Dorsal, adipose and caudal fins shaded with melanophores.
Maximum length recorded 40cm (SL).

HabitatFreshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous. This carnivorous catfish predominantly
occurs in freshwater ponds, rivers, lakes and also in brackishwater.

Distribution
Asia: lowland rivers in most major basins of the Indian subcontinent (Pakistan, Nepal,
India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar), including but not limited to the Indus, BrahmaputraGanges, Krishna, Cauvery, Irrawaddy, Salween and Tenasserim. Reports of this species
from the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins, Malaysia, and Indonesia are based on
misidentifications of Mystus albolineatus or Mystus singaringan. Occurs in Thailand, but
only in the Salween basin.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC); VU/N

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Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika with the older name (Macrones cavasius)
by Chaudhuri (1916). The species is locally known as Bai Kantia in Odia. The fish
has good commercial value and highly in demand in the local markets. The fish islanded in substantial quantity at Jaguleipadara fish landing centre under Kanasa
Block and at Kalupadaghat landing centre in the northern sector. The average unit
price for the fish is Rs.100/kg. It is generally exported to Howrah market (WB) andalso marketed at Bhubaneswar city. Its annual landing of the fish is not much.

116

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteMystus gulio (Hamilton, 1822)
Long whiskers catfish
Odia: Chilika Kantia

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Siluriformes
Family : Bagridae
Genus : Mystus
Species : Mystus gulio

Diagnostic features
This catfish has a short or moderately elongated body with short and flattened head.
Snout of the fish is obtuse or rounded with sub terminal, transverse mouth. Jaws are
sub-equal with upper jaw slightly longer. Occipital crest is rugose and median longitudinal groove is short, extending slightly beyond the posterior border of orbit. Adipose
dorsal fin base is shorter than anal fin base. Nasal barbell is shorter than head length.
Body is bluish, brown or black, dull white beneath. Outer half of fins and maxillarybarbells black. Absence of any spots or stripes on the body distinguishes the species
from the related species.
D. I, 7+adipose; A. 12-15; P. I, 8-9; V. 6.

HabitatFreshwater to brackish water in nature; demersal in habit.

Distribution
Distributed inAsia: countries bordering the eastern Indian Ocean, from India to Indonesia and Viet Nam. Reported from Pakistan

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)

Chilika Development Authority

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Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which was collectedfrom Rambha Bay. The species is locally known as Chilika Kantia in Odia, it occurs
throughout the lagoon. It is a resident
species of the lagoon, and is known to
use the lagoon for both breeding andfeeding purposes. Maximum length
recorded from the lagoon is 26 cm.
Average sectoral landings are of theorder (Northern sector > Central sector> Southern sector > Outer channel).
Caught using gill nets and screen barrier
nets. Commercially very important theFig G Annual landings of M. gulio (Kantia) during
species has average annual yield of
2001-02 to 2016-17
594.22 t valued at Rs.595.00 lakhs, sold @Rs. 80-150/- kg. It is consumed locally aswell as traded outside the state especially to West Bengal, where the fish is of very
high demand. Year wise annual landings for 16 years during the post-restoration
period (2001-02 to 2016-17) is depicted in Fig G.
Fisheries and population of the fish in Chilika was studied during 1957-65 byJhingran and Natarajan (1966 & 1969). The fish breeds in the lake in the northernand central sector during June-November, August being the peak breeding period.
Nalabana bird sanctuary area in the central sector has been observed to be one ofthe potential spawning grounds for the fish. The fishery is dominant in northern
sector. Biology of Mystus gulio in Chilka Lake has been studied by ICAR-CIFRI (2017)
under ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZMP Consultancy Research Project.

118

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteMystus vittatus (Bloch, 1794)
Striped dwarf catfish
Odia: Gagar Kantia / Tengara Kantia

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Siluriformes
Family : Bagridae
Genus : Mystus
Species : Mystus vittatus

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6-7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays:
12-13; Vertebrae: 31 - 37. Body elongate and slightly compressed. Maxillary barbels
extending beyond the pelvic fins, often to the end of the anal fin. Dorsal spine weak,finely serrated on its inner edge. Adipose fin small, inserted much behind rayed dorsal
fin but anterior to the anal fin. Color in life varies with age; generally delicate graysilvery to shining golden, with several (about 5) pale blue or dark brown to deep black
longitudinal on side. A narrow dusky spot often present on the shoulder. The fins glass,with dark tips. Maximum length recorded 21.0cm (TL) (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991).

HabitatFound in freshwater bodies; in flooded canals, beels, paddy and jute fields, streams,
haors, oxbow lakes and rivers in swarms during rainy season. Inhibits standing andflowing water bodies, even in the tidal zone. The fish also occurs in brackishwater;
demersal.

Distribution
Asia: Indian subcontinent, including Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh,probably Myanmar and Thailand.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC) / VU/N (CAMP, 1998)

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Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which wascollected from northern sector. The species is locally known as Gagar Kantia /Tengara Kantia in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is frequently found in the northern
sector, particularly in the river mouth zone and occasionally in the central sectorsof the lake. The fish breed in the river mouth area in the northern sector of thelake. The fish is landed in more quantities at Jaguleipadara under Kanasa Block,
Bhusandapur and Kalupadaghat landing centres in northern sector. Higher catchhas been observed during monsoon and post-monsoon season which extends up
to November. The average estimated annual landing is 1.36 tonnes and the average
unit price is Rs.60/kg. It is mostly sent to Howrah market and also consumed locally.
This freshwater catfish is one of the important freshwater ornamental fishes to be
used in the aquarium.

120

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOmpok bimaculatus (Bloch, 1794)
Butter catfish
Odia: Pabta

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Siluriformes
Family : Siluridae
Genus : Ompok
Species : Ompok bimaculatus

Diagnostic features
Elongate body is strongly compressed. Head depressed and snout rounded. Mouth issuperior. Lower jaw is longer than upper. Two pairs of barbells are present. Maxillarybarbells extend posterior to (or slightly beyond) anal fin base. Nostrils widely
separated from each other. Teeth found on jaws and vomer. Caudal fin is deeply forked
and its upper lobe long. Dorsal side grey, a transverse blackish spot present, behindthe operculum on the lateral line, caudal stripped with black spots; besides, there are
purple and yellowish spots throughout the body. Anal fin with 57 or 58 branched rays.
Maximum length recorded 45.0 cm (TL) (Talwar, and Jhingran, 1991).
Body color olive-green to gray-green. A broad dark lateral band from mouth to caudal
base. In juvenile, this band is bordered by a fine gold stripe. Pelvic reddish and otherfins are brownish to orange.

Habitat
It is a fresh water fish, extensively in rivers, rivulets, streams, beels, canals, flooded jutefields in the rainy season. Also it occurs in brackishwaters, demersal. It feeds on therainy season. It feeds on the crustacean larvae, algae, protozoans, a little mud and sand.

Distribution
Asia: Indian subcontinent and Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Java, Sumatra,
Borneo and China.

IUCN Status
Near Threatened (NT) / EN/N (CAMP, 1998)

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Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which wascollected from Barkul area from Chilika Lake. The species is locally known as Pabta
in Odia. The fish forms a small fishery in the freshwater zone of northern sector
particularly between Daya river mouth and Kalupadaghat area during monsoon
and post-monsoon. The fish is mainly landed at Jaguleipadara landing centre andthe estimated annual catch is 0.80 tonnes. This is one of the high value freshwater
fish species with average selling price of Rs.125-130/kg. The catch of this fish from
Chilika is generally marketed outside the state, particularly in Howrah market. This
freshwater fish has ornamental value to be used in the freshwater aquarium.

122

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOmpok pabda (Hamilton, 1822)
Pabdah catfish
Odia: Pabta

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Siluriformes
Family : Siluridae
Genus : Ompok
Species : Ompok pabda

Diagnostic features
Body elongated and laterally compressed with dorso-ventrally flattened head. Snout
rounded. Superior mouth with longer lower jaw. Eyes sub-cutaneous and barbells twopairs, of which maxillary pair extends to end of pectoral or middle of anal fin. Dorsal finsituated above on last half of pectoral. Pectoral fin with smooth spine. Caudal forked
with rounded lobes and downwards direction. Maximum length recorded 30.0 cm(TL) (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991).
Body color generally silvery grey, darkest on the back and fading white on the belly. In
some may have two longitudinal bands, one above and other below the lateral line.
Head (inclusive of lower jaw) 4.2-4.8; in SL, 4.8-5.5 in TL. Height 4.1-4.5 in SL, 4.6-5.0 in
TL. Eye 5.0-7.0 in head; snout 2.0-2.2; interorbital 2.8-3.7.

HabitatFreshwater; demersal; potamodromous.

Distribution
Asia: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India (West Bengal, North Eastern States, Uttar Pradesh,
Odisha, Indus Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems), Bangladesh and Myanmar.

IUCN Status
Near Threatened (NT) / EN / N (CAMP, 1998)

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Other information – Chilika specificThis piscivorous, carnivorous and surface feeder freshwater fish species (Pabdah
catfish) was first reported from Chilika by Bhatta et al. (2001). The species is locallyknown as Pabta in Odia. Although the fish does not grow to a larger size, fetchesvery high price (Rs.125-130/kg in the local market and Rs.180-200/kg at Howrah
market) in the fresh fish market, particularly in Howrah market. Annual estimatedlanding during 2016-17 was 0.88 tonnes. In Chilika Lake, this commercially
important freshwater fish is caught only from the freshwater zone of northern
sector between Daya River mouth and Kalupadaghat landing centre. The fish islanded only at Jaguleipadara, Bhusandapur and Kalupadaghat fish landing centres.
This freshwater fish has ornamental value to be used in the freshwater aquarium.

124

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteWallago attu (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Wallago / Freshwater shark
Odia: Balia

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Siluriformes
Family : Siluridae
Genus : Wallago
Species : Wallago attu

Diagnostic features
Elongated body is laterally compressed. Eyes are small. Mouth wide, its gape extends
posteriorly to beyond eyes. Barbels are two pairs; among them, maxillary pair is longand extend posteriorly to well beyond origin of anal fin and the mandibular pair ismuch shorter, about as long as snout. Dorsal fin is short. Pectoral spine is weak. Caudal
fin is deeply forked. Body colour grayish or yellowish grey in above and whitish in
below but the fins grey. Maximum length recorded 240.0 cm (TL) (Pethiyagoda, R.,
1991).

HabitatFreshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous.

Distribution
Asia: Pakistan to Viet Nam and Indonesia. Reported from Afghanistan. Lower risk - nearthreatened status in Western Ghats, India. This carnivorous freshwater fish occurs inrivers, reservoirs and lakes in India.

IUCN Status
Near Threatened (NT) / LRnt / N (Lower Risk Near Threatened in India)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which wascollected from Barkul area of Chilika. The species is locally known as Balia in Odia.
The fish is mostly caught in the freshwater zone of northern sector of the lake,particularly near the river mouth zones. It is also encountered in the central sector.
The fish is mainly landed at Jaguleipadara landing centre under Kanasa Block,
Bhusandapur, Kalupada and Sorana landing centre in northern sector. The average
estimated annual landing is 2.8 tonnes. It is mostly sent to Howrah fish market inWest Bengal where it is sold at an average price of Rs.100-120/kg and locally it issold at Rs.75-80/kg.
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Ailia coila (Hamilton, 1822)
Gangetic ailia
Odia: Baunsa Patri / Batrudi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Siluriformes
Family : Schilbeidae
Genus : Ailia
Species : Ailia coila

Diagnostic features
The species has a short and laterally compressed body with a short and greatlycompressed head. Ventral profile of the body is not prominently arched. The snout
is over-hanging and has a crescentic, subterminal mouth. It has a uniform silvery tobrown body colour. Dorsal fin absent and only adipose fin present. Anal fin is long andnot confluent with caudal fin. Caudal fin is deeply forked. Villiform teeth present in two
patches on the palate.Presence of four pairs of barbels, which are longer than head. It
has a complete lateral line. Blotches on body or fins absent.
A. 58-75; P. I, 13-16; V. 6.

HabitatOccurs in fresh to brackish water environments; pelagicin habit.

Distribution
Distributed in Asia: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

IUCN Status
Near Threatened (NT)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which wascollected from northern sector of Chilika. The species is locally known as Baunsa
Patri / Batrudi in Odia. Found in very less number, specifically in central tonorthern sectors of Chilika. Considered as a good and tasty food fish, consumed
locally. Generally used fishing gear is Screen barrier nets (Khanda). The species has
shown declining trend in its catch.

126

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstitutePachypterus atherinoides (Bloch, 1794)
Indian potasi
Odia: Baijhali / Baigujuri

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Siluriformes
Family : Schilbeidae
Genus : Pachypterus
Species : Pachypterus atherinoides

Diagnostic features
The species has laterally compressed, elongated body, with four pairs of barbells.
Maxillary pair reaches pelvic fins, mandibular pair equal to or slightly longer than headlength and nasal pair longer than head length. Upper jaw is elongated and projecting
beyond the lower jaw. Dorsal fin originates anterior to pelvic fin, but the adipose dorsal
fin is vestigial or absent. Pectoral fin spine extends to the base of dorsal spine. Body isgreenish-silvery on back; a pale golden stripe along the lateral line ending in a dusky
spot at base of caudal fin. There is a black spot at nape in front of dorsal fin.
D. I, 5-6; P. 1/7; V. 6; A. 33-46.

HabitatFreshwater to brackish water dwelling; demersal and amphidromous.

Distribution
Distributed mainly in Asia: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar. In
India, this species is distributed in the eastern Himalayan and peninsular region (upto Cauvery river system). It is abundant in the Gangetic river system and the tidal
freshwater stretch of Hooghly estuary.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported as new record from Chilika by ICAR-CIFRI which wascollected from northern sector near Sorana fish landing centre during March 2013 while
undertaking inventory survey for fish diversity under World Bank funded ICAR-CIFRI/
CDA-ICZMP Consultancy Project. The species is locally known as Baijhali / Baigujuri
in Odia. The freshwater fish species recorded for the first time from Chilika, occurs inNorthern sector caught through screen barrier nets (Khanda). Due to its bright andunique coloration, it is a popular fish in ornamental fish trade.
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Silonia silondia (Hamilton, 1822)
Silond catfish
Odia: Zeelung / Bachua

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Siluriformes
Family : Schilbeidae
Genus : Silonia
Species : Silonia silondia

Diagnostic features
Body of the fish is elongated and laterally compressed. It has a compressed headwith obtusely rounded snout. Teeth on jaws are enlarged, canines projecting outside
the mouth opening, but teeth on palate are villiform. Two pairs of barbells present.
Maxillary barbells are small, not reaching beyond orbit and mandibular barbells are
vestigial. Lateral line is complete but indistinct. The fish has bluish back, silvery sides’
and grey fins.
D. I, 7+adipose; A. 40-45; P. I, 11-13; V. 6.

HabitatInhabits fresh and brackish water environments; demersal and perform amphidromous
migration.

Distribution
The species is restricted its distribution to Asia: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal andprobably Myanmar.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Roy and Sahoo (1957). The species islocally known as Zeelung / Bachua in Odia. Very rarely occurring fish species fromthe lagoon.

128

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstitutePangasius pangasius (Hamilton, 1822)
Pangas catfish
Odia: Jalanga

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Siluriformes
Family : Pangasiidae
Genus : Pangasius
Species : Pangasius pangasius

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 29 - 32.
Eye small, its diameter more than 7 times in head length (in 18 cm long specimens);
bright yellow caudal fin in adults; maxillary barbel extends to gill aperture; 23-28 gillrakers on first arch. Maximum length recorded 300.0cm (SL) (Davidson, 1975).

HabitatFreshwater; brackish; benthopelagic.

Distribution
Asia: large rivers of Indian subcontinent and Myanmar (Ganges, Krishna?, Godavari,
Irrawaddy). Current regional distribution in India: Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh &Odisha. Widely introduced in its geographical range for aquaculture. Reports fromThailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are based on misidentifications.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC); CR/N (CAMP, 1998)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916). The species islocally known as Jalanga in Odia. In Chilika Lake, this carnivorous fish occurs
only in northern sector, particularly the northern part of the northern sector. It
is mostly caught by Khandas and gill nets and the potential landing centres are
Kalupadaghat, Bhusandapur and Jaguleipadara in northern sector. The fish has
ornamental value whose juveniles are generally used as freshwater aquarium
fish. The fish is highly commercial being sold at an average unit price of Rs.120/
kg. The population of this fish in Chilika has been declined and appearing in thecommercial catches rarely. Due to its low catch, the landing is not separately
estimated and included in the miscellaneous group of freshwater fishes.
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Clarias magur (Hamilton, 1822)
Walking catfish
Odia: Magura

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Siluriformes
Family : Clariidae
Genus : Clarias
Species : Clarias magur

Diagnostic features
Clarias magur, the walking catfish, has an elongate body that is broader at the head,
tapering toward the tail. Body compressed posteriorly. Upper jaw a little projecting.
Spine of pectoral fins rough on its outer edge and serrated on its inner edge. Occipital
process more or less triangular, its length about 2 time in its width ; distance between
dorsal and occipital process 4-5.5 times in distance from tip of snout to end of occipital
process . Genital papilla in males is elongated and pointed. It is readily recognizable
as a catfish with four pairs of barbels (whiskers) and fleshy, papillated lips. The teeth
are villiform (small and bristle-like), occurring in patches on the jaw and palate. Theeyes are small. The pectoral spines are large and robust and finely serrate along themargins. There is no dorsal spine. The dorsal fin is continuous and extends along theback two-thirds of the length of the body. The dorsal, caudal, and anal fins together
form a near-continuous margin; the caudal fin is rounded and not eel-like though it isoccasionally fused with the other fins. The complete spine/ray count is: Dorsal = 62-72;
Anal = 45-58; Pectoral = I + 8-11. Color is drab but variable among individuals: olive
to dark brown or purple to black on the dorsal surface; pale to white on the ventral
surface; and blue-green on the sides. The fins are grey-green and small white specks
are present on the back half of the body. An albino variant occurs naturally and has
been commercialized for the aquarium hobby trade.

HabitatFreshwater (rivers, ponds, swamps, reservoirs, canals etc) and also brackishwater,
demersal, potamodromous.

Distribution
INDEMIC to India. Distributed throughout India. Southeast Asian Countries;
Bangladesh; Philippines etc.

130

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteIUCN Status
Endangered (EN)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Menon (1961) which was collectedfrom the lake near Hatabaradi. The species is locally known as Magura in Odia.
Frequently found in the northern sector of the lake, regularly being landed at
Bhusandapur, Kalupada Mangalajodi, Jaguleipadara and Jagannathpur fish
landing centres. The fish is occasionally landed at Balugaon in the central sector.
The fish has very good commercial value as it is highly in demand within the stateand in the adjoining states (West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh). The fish is regularlycaught from the lake and landed at the landing centres bordering the northern
sector which are mostly sent to Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal in live condition
packed in GI containers with water. The average monthly catch is about 0.4 tonnes
and average annual landings is around 4.5 tonnes (2016-17). The fish is sold at an
average unit price of Rs. 225/-kg at landing centre. Generally caught through gill
net and hook & line; breeds in monsoon season.

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Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794)
Asian stinging catfish
Odia: Singhi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Siluriformes
Family : Heteropneustidae
Genus : Heteropneustes
Species : Heteropneustes fossilis

Diagnostic features
Body elongate and compressed. Depressed head covered with osseous plate at top andsides of the head. Barbels four pairs in which maxillary pairs extend to end of pectorals
or to commencement to anal and mandibular pairs extend up to base of pelvics but
nasal pair considerably shorter than mandibular pairs. Outstanding anatomical feature
is a pair of accessory respiratory organ (air sacs) for which it is also called air sac catfish
which extends backwards from the gill-chamber on either side of vertebral column.
Caudal rounded. Maximum length recorded 30cm.

HabitatFreshwater, brackish, demersal. H. fossilis is found mainly in ponds, ditches, swamps, andmarshes, but sometimes occurs in muddy rivers. It can tolerate slightly brackish water.
It is omnivorous. This species breeds in confined waters during the monsoon months,
but can breed in ponds, derelict ponds, and ditches when sufficient rain water
accumulates. It is in great demand due to its medicinal value.

Distribution
Occurs throughout Indian plains and the Andamans. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar,
Bhutan, Bangladesh, Thailand and Laos.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)132

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Menon (1961) which was collectedfrom Rambha Bay. The species is locally known as Singhi in Odia. In Chilika Lake,the fish is frequently found in the northern sector, particularly in the northern partof northern sector and occasionally in the central sectors of the lake. The fish islanded in more quantities at Jaganathpur fishing / landing centre under Brhamagiri
Block in northern sector, Jaguleipadara landing centre under Kanasa block innorthern sector, Bhusandapur, Mangalajodi, Kalupadaghat and Sorana landing
centres in northern sector. The fish caught from Chilika Lake is mostly transported
to West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh in live condition packed in GI container withperforated lid. The average daily and monthly landings in Chilika are respectively
0.09 and 1.10 tonnes. Being commercially important, the unit price for the fish at
the landing centres in Chilika is Rs. 200/-kg. The species is also farmed and found in
the aquarium trade. Generally caught in Khandas and hook & line.

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Arius arius (Hamilton, 1822)
Threadfin sea catfish
Odia: Singada

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Siluriformes
Family : Ariidae
Genus : Arius
Species : Arius arius

Diagnostic features
The fish has elongated and robust body with depressed head. Head shield is smooth,anteriorly with a series of granules and rugae posteriorly. Median fontanelle grooveon head is not reaching base of supra-occipital process. It has a blunt snout and largeeyes. Palatine teeth patch has horn like conical projections. Lateral line is bifurcating
at the base of tail. Gill rakers present on the hind aspect of all gill arches. Three pairsof barbles present around mouth. Tip of dorsal fin prolonged into a filament. Adipose
dorsal fin is small with black spot. The caudal peduncle is moderately deep, 1.5 to 2.1
in its body depth. Body is silvery steel with sides and below lighter.
D. I, 7+ adipose; A. 20-21; P. I, 9; V. 6.

Habitat
The fish is a marine to brackish water amphidromous species. A demersal species that
inhabits in estuaries, lagoons and lakes.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-west Pacific; in coasts of India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Singapore
and South China.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)134

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first recorded from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which wascollected from Satapada area. The catfish species is locally known as Singada. It isa resident species and occurs throughout the lagoon. Its major breeding groundis Nalabana area in the central sector. Maximum length caught from the lagoon is
40 cm. Size at maturity was estimated at 238 mm (Jhingran and Natarajan, 1966).
Its Average annual yield is177.81 tonnes and averageannual catch valuation
is Rs. 84.22 lakhs. It is acommercially
importantspecies; consumed locally;
sold @ Rs 50-70/kg. Fishinggears used for targeting thisspecies are gill net, screen
barrier (Khanda), drag net(bhida jal) and hook & line.
Average sectoral landings
are of the order (Central
Fig H Annual landings of A. arius during 2001-02 to 2017-18
sector > Northern sector> Southern sector > Outerchannel).
Jhingran and Natarajan (1966) studied the fishery and breeding habits of the fishfrom Chilika Lake which indicated that the fish breeds in the northern and central
sectors of the lake during June-September with July as peak month. The fish feeds
on lamellibranchs, prawns, annelids, higher plant matter, fish and crabs, detritus
etc.

Chilika Development Authority135

Nemapteryx caelata (Valenciennes, 1840)
Engraved catfish
Odia: Luni Kantia

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Siluriformes
Family : Ariidae
Genus : Nemapteryx
Species : Nemapteryx caelata

Diagnostic features
Robust and elongate body with concave head profile. Mouth is sub-terminal in position.
Three pairs of barbells are present out of which the maxillary barbells extend beyond thepectoral fin. Dorsal spines: 1; Dorsal soft rays: 7; Anal soft rays: 16-30. Head shield strongly
rugose and granulated; supra-occipital process short, about as long as broad, with mediankeel, hind end concave. Dorsal and pectoral fins with very strong, thick, and coarsely
granulated spine; tip of dorsal spine produced into a long filament; adipose fin rather large.
Body with metallic blue luster. Tip of dorsal fin blackish, its filament black; pectoral, pelvic
and anal fins dusky; caudal fin paler; adipose fin either entirely black or bearing a large
black blotch on upper half. Teeth on roof of mouth.

HabitatMarine; brackish; demersal; amphidromous.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: east and west coast of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar,
Thailand, the Indo-Australian archipelago but not in the Philippines or Australia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Satapathy and Panda (2009) which wascollected from Satapada area in the outer channel. The species is locally known as Luni
Kantia in Odia, caught in the outer channel mostly during post-winter and summer
when higher salinity prevails in the outer channel. Its catch is insignificant and is mixed
with the miscellaneous group of marine, brackish water fishes. A tasty catfish, marketed
and consumed fresh. Caught in barrier nets and hook and lines. Average selling pricein Chilika is Rs.80/kg. Distribution in Chilika mostly restricted to outer channel sector
between Magarmukh and Motto fishing village (northern end of outer channel).

136

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOsteogeneiosus militaris (Linnaeus, 1758)
Soldier catfish
Odia: Sunga

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Siluriformes
Family : Ariidae
Genus : Osteogeneiosus
Species : Osteogeneiosus militaris

Diagnostic features
The fish has a moderately elongated body with depressed head. Head shield is rathersmooth. The mouth is moderate with one pair of stiff bony maxillary barbells present,
which are longer than head. Teeth on the palate are in two somewhat crescentic
patches converging anteriorly. Dorsal spine is as long as the head excluding the snout.
Pectoral spines are somewhat stronger than that of the dorsal and the pectoral finreaches about half way to the ventral. Fin spines are strong and serrated. Body is dark
blue with silvery reflections withsilvery white belly. Fins are grayish white, minute
black spots.Tips of dorsal and adipose fins ae dark blue.
D. I, 7+ adipose; A. 19-22; P. I, 10-11; V. 6.

Habitat
It is a marine; freshwater and brackish water dwelling species; demersal in habit andpotamodromous in migration.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: West coast of India to Bangladesh, Myanmar,
Singapore, Malacca, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Pakistan.

IUCN Status
Not EvaluatedChilika Development Authority

137

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which was collectedfrom central sector (Parikud area) of the lake. The species is locally known as Sungain Odia, it is a resident species and occurs throughout the lagoon. Jhingran andNatarajan (1966) studied the fishery and breeding habits of the fish from Chilika Lake
which indicated that the fish breeds in the northern and central sector (Nalabanaarea) of the lake during January-June, March and April being the peak months.
The species shows buccal equivation with the male tending the developing eggs.
The minimum size at maturity as reported by Jhingran and Natarajan (1966) was
265mm. The fish appears
endemic to the lake andno sea-lake migration wasperceptible (Jhingran andNatarajan, 1966). The fish isa total spawner and has verylarge sized ova. Maximum
length caught from thelagoon is 35 cm. The
average sectoral landingsof the order (Central
sector > Northern sector >Fig I Annual landings of O. militaris
Outer channel > Southern
during 2001-02 to 2017-18
sector). Its average annual
yield is 35.05 tonnes andaverage annual catch valuation is Rs. 18.11 lakhs. It is sold @ 60-80/kg, the fish iscommercially important and is consumed locally. It is generally caught by seine
nets, gill nets and barrier nets (Khanda).

138

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstitutePlotosus canius (Hamilton, 1822)
Grey eel-catfish
Odia: Kaunda / Nali

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Siluriformes
Family : Plotosidae
Genus : Plotosus
Species : Plotosus canius

Diagnostic features
The fish has an eel like plain dusky-brown body with a black dorsal fin tip. Mouth iswith thick lips and four pair of barbells. The nasal barbells extend well beyond eyes.
Caudal fin of the species is pointed and confluent with dorsal and anal fins. It is darkolive green over head and body but soiled creamy below. First dorsal and pectoral finsare dark. Shows banded pattern at night. Distinguished from adult Plotosus lineatus by
its long barbels on the nostrils that can reach pass the eyes.
D. I, 4; 130-140; A. 106-130; P. I, 9-13; V. 10-13

Habitat
It is marine to freshwater in occurrence; demersal in nature and amphidromous inmigration

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: west and south coasts of India and off Sri Lanka
eastward along the coasts of Bangladesh and Myanmar, through the Indo-AustralianArchipelago and the Philippines as far as Papua New Guinea.

IUCN Status
Not EvaluatedChilika Development Authority

139

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which wascollected from Kalupadaghat area. The species is locally known as Kaunda or
Nali in Odia. This is a commercially
important resident species, locally wellconsumed, good food fish. Maximum
length caught from the lagoon is 90
cm. The fishery and breeding of thisfish in Chilika Lake was reported by
Jhingran and Natarajan (1966). It is
known to breed in the lagoon during
May-September, July being the peakmonth. The minimum size at maturityof female fish was reported to the
Fig J Annual landings of P. canius (Kaunda)
400mm (Jhingran and Natarajan,
during 2001-02 to 2016-17
1966). The average sectoral landingsof the fish was in the order (Northern
sector > Central sector > Southern sector > Outer channel). Distributed throughout
the lagoon, it is generally caught through hook and line and gill net. Sold @ Rs 4080/- per kg. Its average annual yield is 514.64 tonnes and average annual catchvaluation is Rs.204.28 lakhs. Its venomous spine causes potential threat to humans.
Year wise annual landings for 16 years during the post-restoration period (2001-02
to 2016-17) is depicted in Fig J.

140

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstitutePlaniliza macrolepis (Smith, 1846)
Largescale mullet
Odia: Dangala

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Mugiliformes
Family : Mugilidae
Genus : Planiliza
Species : Planiliza macrolepis

Diagnostic features
The fish has moderately robust body and a wide head, 26-28 % in standard length.
Its rudimentary adipose eye lidsare either present or completely absent. The pectoral
fin has golden base anda dark spot with rudimentary axillary scale; the pectoral scale
when folded forward reaches about to front of eye. Caudal fin is slightly forked. Body isdark greenish above, silvery on sides and belly and fins are dusky along margins. Pelvic
fins do not extend beyond vertical from base of third spine of first dorsal fin. Twelve
scales present on transverse row.
D. IV+I, 8; A. III, 9; P. 16; V. I, 5; Ll. 31-34.

Habitat
It is a species ranging from marine to freshwater, demersal and catadromous in habit.

Distribution
The fish species is distributed in Indo-Pacific: east coast of Africa, including Madagascar,
Seychelles, Rodriguez; north to Sri Lanka and India (except Red Sea, Persian Gulf andBengal), Andaman and Nicobar Islands, east to Indonesia, China, the Philippines,
Japan, Marshall and Tuamoto islands, Melanesia and Polynesia.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)

Chilika Development Authority

141

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Jones and Sujansingani (1954). The
species is locally known as Dangala in Odia. The species is migratory in nature(catadromous) which migrates to sea for spawning during November-January.
January is the peak month of migration. This species is also vulnerable for capturein the inshore areas of Bay of Bengal adjoining the lake during the said period.
The fish occurs throughout the lagoon. Maximum length caught from the lagoon
is 61 cm. Its average annual yield is
45.51 tonnes and average annual catchvaluation is Rs.88.96 lakhs. The pricevaries with size and is sold @ Rs 150170/- (< 0.5 kg) and Rs 200-250/- (> 0.5kg). It is a highly commercial species
with local and exportable demand.
Fishing gears used for the species
are gill net, screen barriers (Khanda),
cast nets, stick drag nets etc. It has an
Fig K Annual landings of P. macrolepis
average sectoral landings of the order(Dangala) during 2001-02 to 2016-17(Northern sector > Central sector >Southern sector > Outer channel). Yearwise annual landings for 16 years during the post-restoration period (2001-02 to
2016-17) is depicted in Fig K.
Fisheries and population of the fish in Chilika was studied during 1957-65 byJhingran and Natarajan (1966 & 1969). The fish has a restricted spawning period
in Chilika (November-January) (Natarajan and Pattnaik, 1970 & 1972). Tagging
experiment on the fish was conducted by Jhingran and Mishra (1962) and Mohanty(2013). Growth, mortality and stock status of the fish was studied by Panda et al.
(2018) and the stock assessment study was conducted by ICAR-CIFRI (2017) under
ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZMP Consultancy Research Project which indicated decline inmean size of the fish below size at maturity.

142

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstitutePlaniliza melinopterus (Valenciennes,1836)
Otomebora mullet
Odia: Menji

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Mugiliformes
Family : Mugilidae
Genus : Planiliza
Species : Planiliza melinopterus

Diagnostic features
The fish has moderately robust body and a wide head, 26-28 % in standard length. Adipose eyelid covers 1/3rd of iris. No teeth present in lower jaw but the tongue is toothed.
Pectoral axillary scale is absent. First dorsal fin is inserted nearer caudal fin base thanto tip of snout. Dorsal spines are strong; second dorsal fin origin on vertical throughmiddle of anal fin base. Body colour is greenish-brown above, silvery below and all finsare dusky. The species differs from its related ones with lesser number of transverserow scales, i.e. 9 or 10 unlike C. macrolepis with 12.
D. IV+I, 8; A. III, 9; P. 15; V. I, 5; Ls. 26-31.

Habitat
The fish is marine, freshwater and brackish water dwelling. Usually reef-associated andcatadromous in migration.

Distribution
It is distributed inIndo-Pacific: East Africa to the Marquesan Islands, north to thePhilippines and the South China Sea, south to Tonga and tropical Australia.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rama Rao (1995). The species is locallyknown as Menji, found throughout the lagoon. It is an economically important
species, sold at Rs. 70-100/per kg, consumed locally as well as traded outside thestate. It is caught using gill nets and Screen barrier (Khanda) in the lagoon. It is a
migratory (catadromous) fish undertake seaward migration during winter season.
The average annual landing of this smaller mullet has been estimated at 0.08 t (%).

Chilika Development Authority

143Chelon parsia (Hamilton, 1822)
Goldspot mullet
Odia: Parsi Soradi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopergii
Order : Mugiliformes
Family : Mugilidae
Genus : Chelon
Species : Chelon parsia

Diagnostic features
The fish has a moderately robust body. Head moderately wide, flattened on top withdepressed snout. Adipose eye lid covers most of the posterior iris. Lips are thin; lower
lip with symphysial knob. The first dorsal commences midway between the snout andthe base of the caudal fin. Its first dorsal spines are not very strong and are of about thesame length and equal the length of the head behind the posterior third of the orbit.
Pectoral axillary scale is rudimentary or absent. Caudal fin is slightly forked. Body isgreenish-brown. Flanks and belly are white to silvery. A golden spot on upper portionof operculum is present. Edge of the dorsal fin is dusky. Caudal fin base is yellowish.
The fish is distinguished from its related species with 11 transverse sacle rows.
D. IV+I, 8; A. III, 9; P. 15; V. 15; Ls. 31-36.

Habitat
It is a fish species widespread in Indo-Pacific occurring in marine, brackish andfreshwater environment. It has a catadromous nature and is found in shallow coastal
waters, estuaries, lagoons and also enters tidal rivers.

Distribution
Indian Ocean: found along the coasts of Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Andaman Islands.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated144

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Menon (1961). It is locally named Parsi
soradi which is a migratory species (catadromous) and distributed throughout thelagoon. The maximum length recorded of the species from the lagoon is 31cm. It
is a commercially important good food fish. Sold @ Rs 150-200/kg, the averageannual yield is 7.01 tonnes and fetches Rs. 6.31 Lakhs on an average annually. It
forms 0.81% in the average annual mullet landings of 869.4 t. It is consumed freshas well as dried salt and traded to outside the state. Fishing gear used are gill net
and screen barrier (Khanda).
Fisheries and population of the fish in Chilika was studied during 1957-65 byJhingran and Natarajan (1966 & 1969). Growth, mortality and stock status of C.
parsia from Chilika Lake have been studied by Panda et al. (2018).

Chilika Development Authority

145

Chelon planiceps (Valenciennes, 1836)
Tade grey mullet
Odia: Tuadi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Mugiliformes
Family : Mugilidae
Genus : Chelon
Species : Chelon planiceps

Diagnostic features
Body slender, elongate, head wide, much depressed and pointed. First dorsal fin origin
nearer to snout tip then to caudal fin base. Second dorsal fin origin at vertical throughposterior half of anal fin base. Scale in the lateral series in 30-35. Pectoral axillary scale
rudimentary or absent. Adipose tissue covering most of eye. 9 soft rays. Dorsal spines :5; Dorsal soft rays : 8; Anal spines: 3.

HabitatCoastal waters, most common in Indian coastal waters, but enters estuaries andbackwaters. Feed on small algae, diatoms, and other organic matter, both living anddetrital, taken in with sand and mud, demersal; catadromous.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea, Socotra to the west coast of India, Sri Lanka and extending to theeast coast of India, Bangladesh, Andamans, Malaysia, China, the Marianas and Guam,the Philippines, and Australia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)146

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1917) which wascollected from Nalabana area. The species is locally known as Tuadi in Odia.
Average annual yield in Chilika 65.44 tonnes and its MSY was estimated at 64.19
tonnes (Panda, 2013). The fish grows to maximum up to 300 mm in total length in4+ years (estimated life span). Peak spawning season during July-October. Panda(2013) studies the population parameters, feeding and breeding biology of thespecies. Average selling price in Chilika is Rs.100/kg. A tasty fish, marketed fresh
mostly in local markets and often exported to Howrah fresh fish market in West
Bengal.
Growth, mortality and stock status of this fish from Chilika Lake was studied by
Panda et al. (2018).

Chilika Development Authority

147

Planiliza subviridis (Valenciennes, 1836)
Greenback mullet
Odia: Menji

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Mugiliformes
Family : Mugilidae
Genus : Planiliza
Species : Planiliza subviridis

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 4 - 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9. Dark
greenish dorsally, brownish over head, white ventrally; 3-6 indistinct, dark stripes along
upper rows of scales; greyish dorsal fins; caudal fin bluish with black margin. Yellowish
pectoral fin and may have a blue spot at fin origin. Pectoral axillary scale rudimentary
or absent. Adipose tissue covering most of eye. Preorbital bone narrow not filling space
between mouth and eye. Maximum length recorded 40.0cm (SL) (Harrison and Senou,
1997).

HabitatMarine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; catadromous.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Persian Gulf and Red Sea to Samoa, north to Japan. Collected at Natal, South
Africa.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1917). This commercially
important species is locally known as Menji in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is
distributed throughout the lake but more abundant in central sector. Highest landing
takes place at Balugaon landing centre followed by Sorana and Kalupada. In southern
sector, the fish caught in large number in Khandas near the confluence point of Palur
canal in Palur Bay during winter season. The species being a catadromous fish migrate
to the coastal waters from Chilika through outer channel and Palur canal for spawning.
Annual landing of this smaller mullet was estimated at 56 tonnes during 2016-17. The
fish is marketed locally and in the adjacent urban markets at an average unit price ofRs.100/kg.

148

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOsteomugil cunnesius (Valenciennes,1836)
Longarm mullet
Odia: Soradi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Mugiliformes
Family : Mugilidae
Genus : Osteomugil
Species : Osteomugil cunnesius

Diagnostic features
The fish species has a moderately robust body. Adipose eye lids are well developed.
Maxilla is exposed when mouth is shut. First dorsal fin commences rather nearer thesnout than the base of the caudal. 18 rows of scales are present between the snout andthe base of the first dorsal fin. The 10th and 20th scale of the lateral line correspond withthe origins of the two dorsal fins. Pectoral fins long, 86-97 % of head length reaching
below origin of first dorsal fin with a long axillary scale. Second dorsal and anal finsare with black margins but the first dorsal is not. The axillary scale which is nearly half
the length of fin and membranous scale with digitated hind margin distinguishes the
species from related ones. Body is dark grey, flanks and ventral side silvery; a dark spoton base of pectoral fin.
D. IV+I, 8; A. III, 9; P. 15-16; V. I, 5; Ls. 30-35.

Habitat
It is a marine, fresh and brackish water species; demersal and catadromous in habit.

Distribution
The fish is distributed inIndo-West Pacific: south to South Africa; Seas of India to the
Malaya Archipelago; Red Sea.

IUCN Status
Not EvaluatedChilika Development Authority

149

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1917) which wascollected from Satapada area. The
species is locally known as Soradi
in Odia, distributed throughout
the lagoon. This is the only mullet
species known to breed in the lagoon
where as all other mullet species arecatadromous and breed in the coastal
waters. The species has an average
sectoral landings of the order (Central
sector > Outer channel > Northern Fig L Annual landings of M. cunnesius (Soradi)
during 2001-02 to 2016-17
sector > Southern sector). Maximum
size recorded from the lake is 28.7 cm.
The species has an average annual yield of 134.11 tonnes and average annual
catch valuation is Rs.225.45 lakhs. It is sold @ Rs 150-220/- kg. Commercially very
important species having good food value, the species is consumed fresh as well
as salt dried and traded to outside the state. It is caught using gill net and screen
barrier. Increased annual landings have been recorded during 2007-08 onwards.
Annual landings of this species during the post-restoration period (2001-02 to
2016-17) is depicted in Fig L.

150

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteCrenimugil seheli (Forsskål, 1775)
Bluespot mullet
Odia: Magi Menji

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Mugiliformes
Family : Mugilidae
Genus : Crenimugil
Species : Crenimugil seheli

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 4 - 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 10. Bluish brown or green dorsally; flanks and abdomen silvery; dusky spots on upper
row of scales, giving indistinct longitudinal stripes. Dorsal and upper lobe of caudal fin
with dark-blue tip. Anal, pelvic, and pectoral fins dull yellow. Pectorals also with dark
blue spot dorsally at origin. Pectoral-fin axil scale very long. Maximum length recorded
60.0 cm (TL) (Lieske and Myers, 1994).

HabitatMarine; freshwater; brackish; reef-associated; catadromous.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Transkei, South Africa and east to the Hawaiian andMarquesan islands, north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia and Norfolk
Island and Tuamotu Islands.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The The species was first reported from Chilika by Jones and Sujansinghani (1954).
The species is locally known as Magi menji in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish isfound throughout the lake, more abundant in central and southern sector. It isa catadromous species, undertakes seaward spawning migration during winterseason. Annual landing of total smaller mullets (Menji group) during the year
2016-17 was estimated at 280.99 tonnes in which the catch of this smaller mullet
was about 82 tonnes and the estimated catch valuation was Rs.65.6 lakhs. It is oneof the most liked commercially important mullet species consumed locally andalso traded outside the state.

Chilika Development Authority

151

Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758
Flathead mullet
Odia: Chilika Khainga

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Mugiliformes
Family : Mugilidae
Genus : Mugil
Species : Mugil cephalus

Diagnostic features
Body of the fish is stout, cylindrical in cross-section, robust and slightly compressed.
Head is broad and flattened on top. Upper lip is thin and without papillae; armed with
1-6 rows of fine teeth.Hind end of upper jaw reaching a vertical line from anterior eye
margin. Maxillary pad is not visible below corner of mouth when closed. Adipose eyelid
is well developed and covering entire eye or pupil. Origin of 1st dorsal fin is nearer tosnout tip than to caudal-fin base. Pectoral fin is short, not reaching dorsal fin origin. 1415 scale rows between origins of dorsal and pelvic fins. The first and second dorsal finscommence above the 12th and 25th scales of the lateral line. Caudal fin is forked. Body isolive-brown above, silvery on sides shading to white below; 6-7 indistinct longitudinal
brown bars down flanks.
D. IV+I, 6-8; A. III, 8; P. 16-17; V. I, 5; Ls. 38-42.

Habitat
The fish dwells in marine, brackish as well as freshwater region; benthopelagic in habit
and catadromous in migration.

Distribution
Its distribution is cosmopolitan in coastal waters of the tropical, subtropical andtemperate zones of all seas.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)152

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1917) which was collectedfrom outer channel. The species is locally known as Khainga in Odia. The fish is
migratory (catadromous) in nature, undertakes seaward migration for spawning
during October-January and occurs throughout the lagoon. Its maximum length
in the lagoon is 71.2 cm. Its average annual yield has been estimated at 368.77
tonnes. Average unit selling price at landing centre is Rs 180/- (up to 0.5 kg), Rs
240/- (0.5 to 1 kg), Rs 280/- (> 1 kg). It has an average annual catch valuation of Rs.
886.64 lakhs. Commercially very important species; good food fish. It is consumed
fresh as well as salt dried and traded to outside the state. Fishing gears used aregill nets or screen barrier. Average sectoral landings are of the order (Central sector> Northern sector > Southern sector > Outer channel sector). Year wise annual
landings for 16 years during the post-restoration period (2001-02 to 2016-17) is
depicted in Fig M.
Jhingran and Natarajan (1969) studied thefisheries and populations of Mugil cephalus
in Chilika Lake during the period 1957-65.
Feeding biology of the fish was studied by
Panda (2013) and the biology was studied
by Pattnaik (1966). Preliminary observations
on its induce spawning was reported by
Mohanty (1971) and the experiments on
Fig M Annual landings of M. cephalus
induced feeding of the fish was reported(Khainga) during 2001-02 to 2016-17
by Krishnan et al. (1996). Jhingran (1958)
observed the seaward migration of the fishin Chilika. Tagging experiment on the fish in Chilika was conducted by Jhingran
and Mishra (1962) and by Mohanty (2013) also conducted the tagging experimenton the fish which resulted in 19.3% recovery. Stock assessment on the fish in
Chilika was done by ICAR-CIFRI (2017) under ICAR-CIFRI/ CDA-ICZMP Consultancy
Research Project. The stock assessment findings indicated that the stock isoverexploited which is suffering from growth over fishing and the spawning stock
biomass (17.36%) of the virgin stock biomass is below the sustainable level of atleast 20-25% of SSB in population. Growth, mortality and stock status of the fish in
Chilika was studied by Panda et al. (2018).

Chilika Development Authority

153

Rhinomugil corsula (Hamilton, 1822)
Corsula mullet
Odia: Kekenda

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Mugiliformes
Family : Mugilidae
Genus : Rhinomugil
Species : Rhinomugil corsula

Diagnostic features
Body is elongated, stout and compressed in shape with rounded abdomen. The headprofile is moderate and concave between eyes. Nostrils are at level of eye center. Snoutis flat, short and overhanging. Mouth is distinctly ventral and protrusible. Jaws are equal,
teeth indistinct and anterior edge of pre orbit without a spine. Eyes are prominent, bulging
without adipose eye lids, placed in line with dorsal profile of head, in anterior part of head.
Body dull olive-brown, silvery below; fins with golden tinge. Caudal fin is emarginated.
D. IV+I, 8; A. III, 9; P. 16; V. I, 5; Ls. 48-52.

Habitat
It is a freshwater to brackish water dwelling pelagic species.

Distribution
The distribution ranges in Asia: India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1917) which was collectedfrom Kalupadaghat. The species is locally known as Kekenda in Odia and occurs majorly
in northern sector between Kalupadaghat and river confluence point. The species isknown to breed in the rivers and ascends into the freshwater zone of northern sectorof Chilika, forms a minor fishery during monsoon season. This freshwater mullet has
good consumers preference and marketed fresh locally. This is very fast swimmer fishgenerally caught by gill nets and barrier net Khandas. The fish has two population
stocks, one of the lagoon and the other of the river. Its average annual yield is 22.31
tonnes and average annual catch valuation is 17.97 lakhs INR. It is sold at 80-120/- per
kg and has a good food value. An economically important species is caught throughgill nets and screen barrier.

154

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteValamugil speigleri (Bleeker, 1858)
Speigler’s grey mullet
Odia: Chanra

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Mugiliformes
Family : Mugilidae
Genus : Valamugil
Species : Valamugil speigleri

Diagnostic features
The fish has a moderately robust body. Adipose eye lid is well developed. First dorsal fin
with black margin, the other fins are dusky. Pectoral fin is slightly shorter than head length.
A long pointed axillary scale is present in the pectoral fin, one also at first dorsal and ventral
fins. Twenty two rows of scales between snout and base of the first dorsal fin present. The
first and second dorsal fins arise above the 12th and 25th scales of the lateral line. Body isdark green above, other fins dusky. A black spot at axil of pectoral fins is present.
D. IV+I, 8; A. III, 9; P. 16-17; V. I, 5; Ls. 37-40.

Habitat
The fish is found to occur in marine; freshwater as well as brackish region; demersal in habit
and catadromous in migration.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Pakistan through Southeast Asia to New Guinea and also extending to
the Chinese coast.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1917) collected from
Satapada area. The species is locally known as Chanra in Odia. This smaller mullet fishoccurs throughout the lagoon but more commonly in central, southern and outerchannel sectors. It is a migratory species and old @ Rs 100-150/- kg in landing centers.
Commercially important species, good food fish, consumed fresh locally as well as salt
dried. Fishing gears used are gill net, Screen barrier. Along with other related species,
the fish has average annual landing of 285.96 t from the lagoon and its annual averagecatch valuation is 229.21 lakhs INR. Length weight relationship of the fish was studied
by Karna et al. (2011).

Chilika Development Authority

155

Atherinomorus duodecimalis (Valenciennes, 1835)
Tropical silverside
Odia: Lamba lunichauli

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Atheriniformes
Family : Atherinidae
Genus : Atherinomorus
Species : Atherinomorus duodecimalis

Diagnostic features
Body is small and robust. Snout is round and blunt. Teeth on jaws are small; dentary
sloping backwards and upwards and with a distinct tubercle like elevation at its distal
end. The distal end of upper jaw extends slightly backward beyond vertical throughanterior border of orbit. The anus is 2 to 4 scales in front of the pelvic fin tips, rarely
more than 3 scales. Lateral scale count 33-38. Lateral process of premaxilla broad andflat. Body is blue-green and translucent. Head, base of fin, midlateral stripes silvery.
Rows of spots below midlateral band present.
D. IV-VI+I, 9-10; A.I, 12-13; P. 14-17; V. I, 5; GR. 21-25.

Habitat
The fish is a marine or brackish water species, demersal and oceanodromous in habit;occurs in shallow coastal area, mangroves of estuaries and backwaters.

Distribution
It is widely distributed in Indo-West pacific.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first recorded from Chilika by Mohanty et al. (2015) which wascollected from outer channel sector near Rambhartia. The species is locally known
as Lamba lunichauli in Odia. It does not form a fishery and its catch is mixed withthe brackishwater miscllaneous group and consumed locally. The fish species issold at Rs. 50-70/kg. It is generally caught by screen barrier nets (Khanda) andseine nets.

156

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteAtherinomorus lacunosus (Forster, 1801)
Wide-banded hardyhead silverside
Odia: Samudra Chauli

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Atheriniformes
Family : Atherinidae
Genus : Atherinomorus
Species : Atherinomorus lacunosus

Diagnostic features
The body is sub-cylindrical and laterally compressed with moderately large headand eyes. It’s lateral process of pre-maxilla is very low and wide with upper margin of
the dentary almost flat distally. No distinct tubercle present at the posterior end. The
posterior tip of the upper jaw reaches to or beyond a vertical through anterior marginof the pupil, sometimes reaching to the center of pupil. The lower gill arch has 18-24
rakers. The mid-lateral scale count is 40-44. The pectoral fin has a blackish blotch. Anusis near or usually behind the posterior tip of the pelvic fin. It has a blue green andtranslucent body with silvery parts of abdomen and head highly iridescent.
D. IV-VII+I, 8-11; A. I, 12-17; P. 14-16; V.I, 5; GR. 18-25.

HabitatIt’s habitat ranges from marine to freshwater, usually found to be reef-associated.

Distribution
Has an Indo-Pacific distribution from East Africa to Tonga, north to southern Japan,
and south to northern Australia; except Andaman Sea.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first recorded from Chilika by Mohanty et al. (2015) which wascollected from outer channel sector. The species is locally known as Samudra
Chauli in Odia, occurs rarely and its catch is mixed with the brackishwater
miscellaneous group. The average selling price for the fish ranges from Rs.50-70/
kg. People consumed locally as fresh and sun dried. The fish species is caught
through seine nets and screen barriers (Khanda jal).

Chilika Development Authority

157

Aplocheilus panchax (Hamilton, 1822)
Blue panchax
Odia: Borgudi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Cyprinodontiformes
Family : Aplocheilidae
Genus : Aplocheilus
Species : Aplocheilus panchax

Diagnostic features
The fish has an elongated and compressed body with rounded abdomen. The head is
conical but not sharp; upper surface of head and nape being broad and depressed. It
has a spatulate snout with terminal mouth directed slightly upward. Eye diameter isequal to inter-orbital width. The anal fin is nearly square while the caudal is rounded.
Body colour is greenish on the upper surface and dull white on sides and beneath. A
large black spot present on lower third of dorsal fin.. Lateral line is absent.
D. 7-11; A. 15-17; P. 15; V. 6; Li. 31-34.

Habitat
The species occur in fresh and also in brackish water. It is a benthopelagic and nonmigratory species.

Distribution
Distributed mainly in Asian countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar andthe Indo-Malatsian archipelago. It is also reported from Nepal, Cambodia, Viet Namand Sri Lanka.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first recorded from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which wascollected from Barkul area. The species is locally known as Borgudi in Odia. This isa rarely found fish species having attractive ornamental value and utilized in homeaquarium. The fish is also utilized for biological mosquito control. It is caught using
screen barriers (Khanda). Its potential breeding ground in Chilika is Nalabana
area in the central sector of the lake. Perennial breeder but peaks in November toMarch. It feeds mainly on insects.

158

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteStrongylura strongylura (van Hasselt, 1823)
Spottail needlefish
Odia: Gania

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Beloniformes
Family : Belonidae
Genus : Strongylura
Species : Strongylura strongylura

Diagnostic features
The fish species has an elongated and rounded body with small eyes having diameter
nearly 1/3rd of postorbital part of head. Both jaws are elongated with sharp backwardly
directed numerous teeth. Eyes are small. Dorsal fin originates above 4th ray on anal fin
and has 12 soft rays. Anal fin has 15 soft rays. Unlike S. leiura, caudal fin is emarginatedwithout a keel on caudal peduncle and there is a black spot at base of caudal fin.
D. 12-14; A. 15-18; P. 11; V. 6.

Habitat
It is a marine and brackish water species; pelagic-neritic in nature.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf eastward along the coasts of Pakistan, India, and Sri
Lanka, then extending to southern China, the Philippines, and northern Australia.

IUCN Status
Not EvaluatedChilika Development Authority

159

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from
Chilika by Chaudhuri (1917) which
was collected from central sector
near Balugaon. The species is locallyknown as Gania in Odia, the fish is
distributed throughout the lagoon.
It is a resident species and breeds inthe lagoon. Its average annual yieldis 269.55 tonnes valued at Rs.278.56
lakhs, sold @ Rs 70-150/- kg. It’s an
Fig N Annual landings of S. strongylura
economically important species(Gania) during 2001-02 to 2016-17
caught through seine nets andscreen barriers. The major catch ofthis fish comes from a special typeof gill net called “Gania jaal”. The fish species is known to breed during rainy andwinter seasons in the lagoon. The species has an average sectoral landings of theorder (Northern sector > Central sector > Southern sector > Outer channel sector).
Year wise annual landings for 16 years during the post-restoration period (2001-02
to 2016-17) is depicted in Fig N. Length-length and length-weight relationship ofthe fish was studied by Karna et al. (2017).

160

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteXenentodon cancila (Hamilton, 1822)
Freshwater garfish
Odia: Gangtudi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Beloniformes
Family : Belonidae
Genus : XenentodonSpecies : Xenentodon cancila

Diagnostic features
The fish species has an elongated and slightly rounded body with a deep mediangroove on head. Dorsal fin originates below the level of anal fin origin. The fish isgreenish grey dorsaly and lighter below. A dark edgrd silvery stripe fom eyes to middleof caudal base is present. There are 4 to 5 lateral blotches between pectoral and anal
fin bases.
D.15-18; A.16-18; P.11; V.6.

Habitat
It is fresh water to brackish water dwelling species.

Distribution
Pakistan to Indonesia

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968). The species islocally known as Gangtudi in Odia. The fish is mainly caught from northern sectorof the lake which is dominated by freshwater condition followed by central sector.
In southern and outer channel sector, its occurrence is negligible. It is a good food
fish, consumed fresh locally and sold at Rs 80-100/- per kg. It’s a commercially
important species and caught with seine nets and screen barrier nets (Khanda).

Chilika Development Authority

161

Hemiramphus far (Forsskal, 1775)
Black-barred halfbeak
Odia: Saragara

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Beloniformes
Family : Hemiramphidae
Genus : Hemiramphus
Species : Hemiramphus far

Diagnostic features
Elongate and compressed body. Upper jaw is short, triangular without scale and muchbroader than long. Two numbers of tricuspid teeth are present jaws. 32 gill-rakers arepresent on first arch, sinks on upper, and 23 on lower arm dorsal fin has 12 soft rays
and anal fin has 10 soft rays, caudal fin is forked, lower lob is much longer is upper.
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-15; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10- 12. Greatly prolonged, beak-like lower jaw; upper jaw short, preorbital ridge absent;
pectoral fins short, not reaching past nasal pit when folded forward; with 3-9 (usually
4-6) vertical bars on the sides. Color bluish dorsally, silvery on sides. 36-41 predorsal
scales. Lower lobe of caudal fin longer than upper lobe. Dorsal and anal fins locatedposteriorly.

HabitatMarine; brackish; reef-associated; non-migratory. Generally occurs in areas rich invegetation and sand flats. Adults feed mainly on sea grasses, to a lesser extent on
green algae and diatoms

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands,
south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Migrated to the eastern part of theMediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal.

162

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteIUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968). The species islocally known as Gangtudi in Odia. The fish is mainly caught from northern sectorof the lake which is dominated by freshwater condition followed by central sector.
In southern and outer channel sector, its occurrence is negligible. It is a good food
fish, consumed fresh locally and sold at Rs 80-100/- per kg. It’s a commercially
important species and caught with seine nets and screen barrier nets (Khanda).

Chilika Development Authority

163

Hyporhamphus limbatus (Valenciennes, 1847)
Congaturi halfbeak
Odia: Saragara / Ekdonti

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Beloniformes
Family : Hemiramphidae
Genus : Hyporhamphus
Species : Hyporhamphus limbatus

Diagnostic features
It has a narrow, elongated and compressed body. Greatly prolonged, beak-like lower
jaw is equal toor longer than head length. Upper jaw is short, convex, triangularand scaly.Its width is 0.6-0.8 times in its length. Pre-orbital distance is 1.3-2.1 times
in diameter of orbit and 0.75-1.2 times in length of upper jaw. Origin of pelvic finsis midway between front border of eye and base of caudal fin. Total number of gillrakers on first gill arch is 23-37. Caudal fin is emarginated and not strongly forked. Body
colour is greenish at back and silvery at belly region. A brilliant silvery band along sidesof body is present. Margin of dorsal and caudal fins are dusky.
D. 12-16; A. 13-16; P.10; V.6.

Habitat
It is a species that ranges from freshwater to marine habitats pelagic-neritic in habit
and potamodromous in migration.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf to China along the mainland coast of
Asia

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)164

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from
Chilika by Chaudhuri (1917) which
was collected from Chilika Lake near
Balugaon. The species is locally known
as Saragara / Ekdonti in Odia which is
distributed throughout the lagoon. It
is a resident species, that breeds in the
lagoon throughout the year, June-Julybeing the peak breeding season and
Fig O Annual landings of H. limbatus
the average sectoral landings are of theduring 2001-02 to 2017-18
order (Northern sector > Central sector> Southern sector > Outer channel).
The fish is commercially important sold at Rs. 50- 80/kg, its average annual yieldis 134.13 tonnes and average annual catch valuation is Rs.83.41 lakhs. It has alsoornamental value to be used in home aquarium. It is consumed locally and caught
through seine net (Drag/ Bhida jala) and screen barrier (Khanda).

Chilika Development Authority

165

Oryzias dancena (Hamilton, 1822)
Indian rice field
Odia: Kauradia

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Beloniformes
Family : Adrianichthyidae
Genus : Oryzias
Species : Oryzias dancena

Diagnostic features
Body is compressed. Head is short and anterior part of the nape is depressed andflattened. Mouth is small and terminal with its corner abruptly bent downwards. Snoutis slightly spatulate. Abdomen is rounded. No spines present in dorsal and anal fins.
D. 6-7; A. 20-24; Vr. 28-29; caudal fin rays 6/6

Habitat
It is a fresh as well as brackish water species; benthopelagic in nature.

Distribution
It is distributed in Asian countries: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar. In India,
it is found from Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Waynad.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1917) which wascollected from Barkul Bay of Chilika Lake in central sector. The species is locallyknown as Kauradia in Odia. The fish grows to maximum size of 3.4cm and hence
small sized fish. In Chilika Lake, it occurs in good number Nalabana area in thecentral sector. The fish breeds in the lake round the year and Nalabana area incentral sector is the main breeding ground for the fish. Although the fish has little
commercial importance, it has very good ornamental value and considered as apotential native ornamental fish of Chilika Lake.

166

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteHippocampus fuscus (Ruppel, 1838)
Sea pony / Sea horse
Odia: Samudra Ghoda

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Syngnathiformes
Family : Syngnathidae
Genus : Hippocampus
Species : Hippocampus fuscus

Diagnostic features
Rings: 11 (trunk) + 33-37 (tail). Snout length: 2.4-3.0 in head length. Dorsal fin rays:
14-17 covering 2+1 rings. Pectoral fin rays: 14-16. Coronet: low, arch of neck a smooth
curve, or slightly raised and rough. Spines: low, smooth to slightly developed. Other
distinctive characters: head large compared to body; deep head. Color pattern : usuallydark but can be bright yellow; specimens from Suez are pale with marbled pattern ofbrown lines on trunk and head. Maximum length recorded 14.4 cm (TL) (Golani andFine, 2002).

HabitatMarine; demersal; amphidromous.

Distribution
Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti and Sri Lanka. Records from South Africa,
Madagascar, Mauritius and Réunion are questionable. International trade is monitored
through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04) and a minimum size of 10 cm
applies.

IUCN Status
Data Deficient (DD)

Chilika Development Authority

167

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) as Hippocampus
brachyrhynchus (presently synonym) which was collected from Rambha Bay in thesouthern sector. The species is locally known as Samudra Ghoda in Odia. It breeds
in the outer channel and central sector during rainy months. This sea horse wascollected in good number at Rambhartia in the outer channel during fish diversity
inventory survey in 2003-04. This small species usually come in the Khanda
catches in the outer channel and Magaramukh area. It breeds in rainy months in
the outer channel and central sector. It is also used in aquarium as ornamental fish.

Remarks: This species is known to be rare along Indian coast. Although its occurrence
was known only from Chilika lagoon, a few specimens were reported from Tamil Nadu
coast recently. The species like other seahorses is caught and traded for traditional
medicines, aquaria and other exhibit-curios throughout its range. Indiscriminate catch,
habitat degradation and exploitation has caused drastic depletion of population of thisspecies. All seahorses are placed in Schedule I Part II A of the Wildlife Protection
Act (1972) (Mishra and Gopi, 2014).

168

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteIchthyocampus carce (Hamilton, 1822)
Banded needlefish
Odia: Bali Poka

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Syngnathiformes
Family : Syngnathidae
Genus : Ichthyocampus
Species : Ichthyocampus carce

Diagnostic features
The fish has a highly elongated body tapering towards the caudal end. Head lengthis 1/10th of standard length. Snout slightly elevated on its anterior thirdand its ventral
side is dotted with black spots. Interorbital space is slightly concave with a sharp
low median ridge passing along snout. A sharp ridge is present across the opercle.
Its opercula are complete with longitudinal ridge. Lateral trunk ridge is not distinctly
confluent with tail ridge. Dorsal fin is yellowish and originates between first and third
tail ring. Anal fin is minute but distinct. Body colour is deep brown with one or two
white spots in the centre of each body ring along the infero-lateral ridge.

Habitat
It is a species ranging from Marine to freshwater, demersal in habit and amphidromousin migration.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: west coast of India to Indonesia.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1916) which wascollected from Satapada area of outer channel. The species is locally known as
Bali Poka in Odia, which is not considered as a food fish, does not have muchcommercial value. Usually found as by-catch in screen barrier (Khanda) and seine
nets.

Chilika Development Authority

169

Macrognathus aral (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
One-stripe spinyeel/Lesser spiny eel
Odia: Todi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Synbranchiformes
Family : Mastacembelidae
Genus : Macrognathus
Species : Macrognathus aral

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 23; Dorsal soft rays (total): 44-45. Caudal fin rays 15 andcaudal fin distinctly separated from dorsal and anal fins. It is detrivorous and bottom
dwelling fish. Maximum length recorded 63.5cm (TL) (Szechowycz, 1960).

HabitatFreshwater; brackish; benthopelagic.

Distribution
Asia: Pakistan, India (Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha,Kerala & Assam), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Jones and Sujansinghani (1954)
which was recorded as Macrognathus aculeatus. The species is locally known as
Todi in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is frequently found in the northern sector,
particularly near Kalupadaghat, Bhusandapur and Jaguleipadara area and thecatch is mostly landed at those landing centres in the northern sector. It breeds
in the freshwater zone of the northern sector during monsoon months. The fish
has both commercial and ornamental values for home aquarium. Annual landingof this fish has been estimated at 0.90 tonnes during 2016-17. The fish is sold andconsumed locally at an average unit price of Rs.90/kg. The fish is generally caught
in barrier nets with net box traps in the northern part of the northern sector.

170

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteMacrognathus pancalus Hamilton, 1822
Barred spiny eel
Odia: Baira Todi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Syngnathiformes
Family : Mastacembelidae
Genus : Macrognathus
Species : Macrognathus pancalus

Diagnostic features
This fish species has slightly long and compressed, eel-like body. Head is long andpointed. Snout is long and fleshy with a concave prolongation of the upper jaw
consisting of a paired series of tooth plates. No tooth plates on rostrum. Mouth isinferior and the cleft is narrow with thin lips and sub equal jaws. It possesses small
superior eyes in middle of head, not visible from below the ventral surface. No spines
present on either preorbital or pre operculum. Caudal fin is rounded and distinctly
separated from the dorsal and anal fins. Small and cycloid scales are present between
and around eyes and posterior nostril and upto maxilla. Body colour is olive-green
back, yellowish beneath.Sides of the body have yellowish spots whereas the fins areyellow with black spots.
D. 24-26/30-42; A. 3/31-46; P. 19; C. 12.

Habitat
It is a freshwater to brackish dwelling fish, benthopelagic in nature.

Distribution
Asia: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nepal

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which was collectedfrom northern sector of Chilika Lake. The species is locally known as Baira Todi in
Odia, the species is a riverine migrant and mainly caught from northern and central
sectors. It is sold @ Rs 80-120/kg. It is Consumed locally and caught through screen
barrier (Khanda). Along with other freshwater spiny eels species, it accounts forannual average landings of 39.34 tonnes and values Rs.42.41 lakhs.
Chilika Development Authority

171

Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepede, 1800)
Zig-zag eel
Odia: Kutila Todi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Synbranchiformes
Family : Mastacembelidae
Genus : Mastacembelus
Species : Mastacembelus armatus

Diagnostic features
It has an elongated, eel-like and compressed body; long snout without tooth plates.
Mouth is inferior with narrow cleft; rim of anterior nostrils with two fimbriate and two
flaps. Body colour is dull brown with 1-3 darker, longitudinal zigzag lines, more or lessconnected to form a reticulated pattern, more or less distinct and restricted to thedorsal two thirds of the body. A row of black spots are present along the base of dorsal
fin.
D. XXXIII-XL, 67-82; A. 67-85; C. 14-17; Vr. 87-98.

Habitat
It lives in fresh to brackish water environments; demersal in nature and potamodromousin migration.

Distribution
The species is well distributed in Asian countries: Pakistan to Viet Nam, India andIndonesia.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Hora (1923) which was collectedfrom central sector near Patasanipur. The species is locally known as Kutila Todi
in Odia. It dwells mostly in the freshwater area of northern sector but also foundin central sector. It has less commercial values, consumed locally, sold @ Rs 50-80/
kg. The average landing is nearly 20 tonnes annually, valued about Rs.20 lakh. The
species caught through screen barrier (Khanda) nets and in traditional traps like
“Boja”.

172

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstitutePterois radiata (Cuvier, 1829)
Radial firefish / Lion fish
Odia: Lion Fish, Singhee Machha

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Syngnathiformes
Family : Scorpaenidae
Genus : Pterois
Species : Pterois radiata

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays:
5 - 6. Reddish to brownish and with 5-6 broad dark bars on body separated by pale lines;
horizontal dark area on caudal peduncle. Only species of Pterois that lacks markings
between its vertical fin rays and has a pair of horizontal white stripes at base of its tail.
Maximum length recorded 24.0 cm (TL) (Lieske and Myers, 1994).

HabitatMarine; reef-associated.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to Sodwana Bay, South Africa and to the Society Islands, north to
the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia. Records from the Mascarene Islands lackverification and are probably based on Pterois antennata.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specificThis highly prized marine aquarium fish (marine ornamental fish) was first reported
from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which they collected from outer channel near
Arakhakuda. The species is locally known as Lion Fish, Singhee Machha in Odia. This
beautiful marine ornamental fish enters into outer channel from the coastal waters
during onset of monsoon season when freshwater flow prevails in the outer channel.
The fish is a selective carnivorous species which prefers to consume juvenile shrimps bysucking them. The fish collected from outer channel is being maintained in the marine
aquarium at the interpretation centre of Chilika Development Authority at Satapada.
They also survive in the aquarium with artificial sea water. The fish is not used by local
people as food fish. The local fishermen shall each fish more than Rs.50 to the people
who are maintain marine or brackish water aquarium.
Chilika Development Authority

173

Tetraroge niger (Cuvier, 1829)
Odia: Bali Ghumura

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Scorpaeniformes
Family : Tetrarogidae
Genus : Tetraroge
Species : Tetraroge niger

Diagnostic features
Body moderately compressed with prominent caudal peduncle, no barbels on lower
jaw. Anterior preorbital spine short, posterior one long. Head profile is elevated dorsally.
Teeth are small, pointed, re-curved in upper jaw and flattened, small in lower jaw. Opercle
and preopercula is fleshy, triangular with a prominent spine. The dorsal fin has two partsof which the first is spinous and originates from above the eye with a forward bending.
Second dorsal, pelvic, anal and caudal fins are rounded. Origin of the pectoral fin base andpelvic fin base is on the same plane. Lateral line is elevated anteriorly being prominentand continuous up to caudal fin. All fins are with narrow white border and dark broad submarginal band. Outer margin of border fin darn and white. Body is dark brown in colourwith irregular dark blotches and a prominent blotch on caudal peduncle. It is rare species,
possess venom glands at the base of some if the spines.
D. XIII, 7; A. III, 5; P. 12; V. I, 5.
Remarks: Preorbital and dorsal fin spines are strong and poisonous. Wounds caused onhuman body by these spines are very painful.

Habitat
It is a marine to freshwater living fish with demersal and amphidromous in nature.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: India, Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea and Ryukyu Islands.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Satapathy and Panda (2009) which wascollected from outer channel. The species is locally known as Bali Ghumura in Odia. It
is a venomous fish that breeds in late summer and is caught as by catch in gill net andscreen barrier nets. The species is not used as food fish and has no commercial value.

174

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteTrachicephalus uranoscopus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Stargazing stonefish
Odia: Pathuri Machha

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Syngnathiformes
Family : Synanceiidae
Genus : Trachicephalus
Species : Trachicephalus uranoscopus

Diagnostic features
It has elongated, weakly compressed body with wide head covered with bony ridges
having numerous blunt points; possess very small eyes in the dorsal position. Lower
jaw is longer. Spines and rays in the fins enclosed in the skin. Ventral fin is attachedalong its entire inner edge to the abdomen. Caudal fin is cut square, with a white edge.
Scales are absent. Body colour is brownish, with numerous white dots.
D. X, 14; P. XIV, 0; V. I, 5; A. II, 15.

Habitat
The species inhabits in marine to brackish waters.

Distribution
The species distributed in Indo-West Pacific regions: India to Indonesia, north to Hong
Kong and southern China.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Karna et al. (2016). The species islocally known as Pathuri Machha in Odia. The specimen was obtained from
Station 7 (Satapada) during September 2015. The fish is generally venomous innature having poison gland at the base of its spines on the body. It is not used
as a food fish under has no commercial value. This is the first ever report of theoccurrence of the species from the lagoon.

Chilika Development Authority

175

Cociella crocodilus (Cuvier, 1829)
Crocodile flathead
Odia: Takara

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Scorpaeniformes
Family : Platycephalidae
Genus : Cociella
Species : Cociella crocodilus

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 11.
Brownish with small dark spots on upper body; usually with 4-5 dark brown bands
crosses back; spiny dorsal with broad black band near edge and small black spots
below, other fins darkly spotted. Maximum length recorded 50.0 cm (TL) (Kottelat,1993).

HabitatMarine; brackish; reef-associated.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Solomon Islands, north to southern
Japan, south to Australia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohanty et al. (2015) which wascollected from south of Nalabana caught in Patua jaal in the central sector. The
species is locally known as Takara in Odia. Landing of this fish is negligible. The
fish is a marine migrant having ornamental value for use in aquarium. It is mostly
caught from the central sector of the lake from Magarmukh – Parikud Nalabana
area. The fish is marketed locally at an average price of Rs.50/kg.

176

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstitutePlatycephalus indicus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bartail flathead
Odia: Takara

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Scorpaeniformes
Family : Platycephalidae
Genus : Platycephalus
Species : Platycephalus indicus

Diagnostic features
Body is much compressed. Top of head has only weak ridges with low and feeble
spines. A board band of villiform teeth is present in upper jaw. Some of inner teeth
near symphysis are enlarged and canine-like. Lower jaw has a row of large crowed
teeth and several rows of smaller theeth at their outer side. Teeth in vomer appear
like a transverse patch while in palate it is arranged in a single row with large caninoid
teeth. Tongue is smooth. Two dorsal fins are present out of which the first dorsal fin has
9 spines and the second dorsal fin has 12 soft rays while anal fin has 13 soft rays. Caudal
fin is truncate. Scales on upper parts of body are ctenoid. Its lower part is cycloid.
Lateral line has nearly 100 scales without spines.
D. IX-X, 13; A. 13.

Habitat
It is a marine to brackish dwelling species, which is reef-associated and oceanodromousin nature.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Philippines, north to southern Japanand Korea, south to northern Australia.

IUCN Status
Data Deficient (DD)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Hora (1923) which was collectedfrom outer channel sector. The species is locally known as Takara in Odia, foundthroughout the lagoon. Sold @ 60-80/kg, the fish species is consumed locally.
Caught by gill nets, Screen barrier nets (Khanda) and seine nets (Patua jaal).

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177

Ambassis ambassis (Lacepede, 1802)
Commerson’s glassy
Odia: Bada Polagana

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Ambassidae
Genus : Ambassis
Species : Ambassis ambassis

Diagnostic features
The fish has ovate, deep or compressed body. Lateral line is continuous and has 22-30
scales that are large in size. Cheek scales, 2-3 rows. A single supraorbital spine is present
but the rostral spine is absent. Preopercle ridge and rear margin of the preopercle has
serrations. The inter-opercle edge is smooth except for presence of few small serrae atangle. The predorsal scales count 13-18.
D. VIII, 9-10; A. III, 9-11.

Habitat
The species is marine to freshwater dwelling, demersal in habit and Oceanodromousin nature.

Distribution
The species is distributed mainly in Africa: South Africa to Kenya, Madagascar, Reunionand Mauritius.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Satapathy & Panda (2009) which wascollected from Magarmukh area. The species is locally known as Bada Polagana,occurrs predominantly in central and outer channel sector. Sold @ Rs 50-70/- kg, it
is consumed locally and used as aquarium fish. Usually caught through seine nets
(drag net) and screen barrier net (Khanda jal).

178

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteAmbassis gymnocephalus (Lacepede, 1802)
Bald glassy
Odia: Polagana Chandi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Ambassidae
Genus : Ambassis
Species : Ambassis gymnocephalus

Diagnostic features
The fish has laterally compressed body, with bright lateral silvery bands. It has large
oblique mouth. The posterior margin of pre- opercular ridge is entire. The lower
arm of first arch has 23-26 gill rakers. The second and third dorsal spines have dusky
membranes in between. The supra-orbital ridge which is dentate with two to fourdeveloped spines distinguishes the species from A. ambassis.
D. VII+I, 9-10; A. III, 9-10; P. 14-15; V. I, 5; LI. 27-29.

Habitat
The fish is found from marine, brackish and freshwater environments. Generally
inhabits estuaries, lagoons and rivers. It is a demersal, amphidromous fish species
found in shallow waters.

Distribution
It shows a widespread distribution in Indo-west Pacific.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1923) which wascollected from Barkul area of Chiliak Lake. Locally called Polagana Chandi, occurs
throughout the lagoon, more abundantly in the outer channel sector. The fish eatsmullet eggs voraciously near lake mouth during mullet breeding season in winter.
Sold @ Rs 50-70/- kg, it is consumed locally and used as aquarium fish. Usuallycaught through screen barrier and seine nets (drag net).

Chilika Development Authority

179Chanda nama Hamilton, 1822
Elongate glass-perchlet
Odia: Bada Polagana

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Ambassidae
Genus : Chanda
Species : Chanda namaDiagnostic features
Body is strongly compressed and laterally almost flat. Dorsal and ventral profile of thisfish is almost equally convex. Lateral line is partly distinct, partly absent. Second dorsal
spine is longest. Spines of first dorsal and rays of second dorsal gradually decreasein height. Scales are minute and rounded. Caudal fin forked. Body is transparent
yellowish white with numerous tiny black dots. First dorsal and tip of second dorsal
is deep black. Caudal fin is black and orange. A small black spot is found at the originof the base of anal fin. Lower jaw is longer than upper jaw. Maximum length recorded
11.0cm (TL) (Menon, 1999).

HabitatThis small fish is seen in the clear freshwater of rivers, streams, canals and beels.
Specially in the rainy season these are abundantly found from the marginal area of
the jute and paddy fields. According to job Ambassis nama feeds at all layers of water,
subsisting mainly on the minute entomostracans. It is hardy and can stand foul water.
Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; potamodromous.

Distribution
Asia: Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which wascollected from Kalupadaghat area. The species is locally known as Bada Polagana
in Odia. Its catch is mixed with the freshwater miscellaneous group. This small
glass perchlet is considered as a good freshwater ornamental fish which is mostly
used in the freshwater aquarium. Its separate landing has not been estimated so
far as the catch is negligible. Its average selling price in Chilika is Rs.50-60/kg.

180

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteParambassis ranga (Hamilton, 1822)
Indian glassy fish
Odia: Polagana / Lal Chandi / Gua Chipi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Ambassidae
Genus : Parambassis
Species : Parambassis ranga

Diagnostic features
The fish ahs an elongated and compressed body with pointed snout and large mouth.
Dorsal and abdominal profiles, both are very convex, but the profile over the eyes is slightly
concave. Eyes are large and diameter is 7.9-9.5 in standard length. The maxilla reaches
below the middle of the orbit. Pre-orbital with about 6 denticulation on its inferior edge
and a strong one on its anterior superior angle directed towards the eye and about 5 morealong the upper edge of that bone. Another spine present at the middle of the posterioredge of the orbit. Gill rakers on lower arm of first arch are 21-25. Body colour is olive witha dark spot on the shoulder. Margins of the dorsal and anal fins are dark. The caudal fin is
deeply forked and the caudal peduncle depth is 8.3-9.1 in standard length.
D. VII+I, 15-16; A. III, 14-16; P.11; V. I, 5; Lr. 60-70.

Habitat
It is a freshwater to brackish water dwelling species; demersal in habit.

Distribution
Distributed in Asian countries: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia
and Nepal.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which was collectedfrom northern sector. The species is locally known as Polagana / Lal chandi / Gua Chipi
in Odia, the fish is distributed throughout the lagoon. The fish has little commercial
importance and sells at an average unit price of Rs. 30-40/kg, it is consumed locally andused as aquarium fish. Usually caught through screen barrier (Khanda) and seine nets
(drag net). The catch is included in the miscellaneous freshwater group in commercial
landing.

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181

Lates calcarifer (Bloch, 1790)
Barramundi / Asian seabass
Odia: Bhekti

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Latidae
Genus : Lates
Species : Lates calcarifer

Diagnostic features
L. calcarifer has an elongated and compressed body with a deep caudal peduncle.
Head is pointed whose dorsal profile is concave which gradually becomes convex.
Operculam has a small spine and serrated flap. Preopercle has a spine and its edge
is serrated. Mouth is large and slightly oblique. The upper jaw extends behind theeye and hasvilliform teeth. A deep notch is present that divides spinous part fromsoft rayed part of dorsal fin. Anal and pectoral fins are rounded. Scales are large andctenoid species. Anal fins have a scaly sheath. Lower arm of first arch has 11 gill-rakers.
D. VII-IX, 10-11; A. III, 7-9; P. 17; V. I, 5; Ll. 52-60

HabitatFreshwater to marine dwelling species, this fish is demersal; catadromous in nature.

Distribution
The fish is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: eastern edge of the Persian Gulf to China,
Taiwan and southern Japan, southward to southern Papua New Guinea and northern
Australia

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

182

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1923) which was collectedfrom Kalupadaghat area. The species is locally known as Bhekti in Odia. The fish
is distributed throughout the lagoon
and a migratory species. It attains
maximum length of 121 cm (22.7kg). Its average annual yield is 114.88
tonnes (0.96% of average annual yield)
and average annual catch valuation isRs. 387.56 lakhs. The cost varies withsize and is sold @ Rs 220/- (up to 1kg), Rs 320/- (1 to 2 kg), Rs 420/- (>2kg). A commercially important species
consumed locally and traded outside
Fig P Annual landings of L. calcarifer(Bhekti) during 2001-02 to 2016-17
the state. It is generally fished by gillnets and hook & long line. It is known
to breed in late summer to rainy season(April-July & June-July). The average sectoral landings of the fish species are of theorder (Northern sector > Central sector > Southern sector > Outer channel. Yearwise annual landings for 16 years during the post-restoration period (2001-02 to
2016-17) is depicted in Fig P.
Fisheries and population of the fish in Chilika was studied during 1957-65 byJhingran and Natarajan (1966 & 1969). Breeding and larval development of Chilika
Bhekti was reported by Kowtal (1977). Stock assessment of Chilika Bhekti was
first reported under Bhatta et al. (2009) to suggest that current exploitation levelshould not be increased further. Length weight relationship of the fish was studied
by Mohanty et al. (2014). Pattnaik and Jena (1976) also studied some aspects ofbiology of the fish from Chilika Lake.

Chilika Development Authority

183

Epinephelus coioides (Hamilton, 1822)
Orange-spotted grouper
Odia: Bhola

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Serranidae
Genus : Epinephelus
Species : Epinephelus coioides

Diagnostic features
It has an elongated body and not strongly compressed. Inter-orbital space is slightly
convex. Caudal fin rounded. Colour of the body is light brown, whitish ventro-laterallywith numerous small brownish orange or reddish brown spots on head, body andmedian fins. Five slightly oblique brown bars on head and body present, which
bifurcate ventrally. The first four bars extending basally into the dorsal fin. Large brown
blotches on head; fins whitish to dusky with brown spots.
D. XI. 13-16; A. III, 8; P. 19-20; V. I, 5.

Habitat
It is marine and brackish water species usually found to be reef-associated.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea south to Durban, South Africa andeastward to Palau and Fiji, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Arafura Sea andAustralia. It is also distributed in the Mediterranean coast of Israel.

IUCN Status
Near Threatened (NT)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007). The species
is locally known as Bhola in Odia. Majorly, caught from outer channel sector of
Chilika. The fish is locally consumed and sold @ 70-80/kg, although it commands avery high unit price outside the state, particularly in Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai
etc and fetches a very high unit price from overseas export markets. Common
fishing gears for the species are gill nets, barrier nets (Khandas), hook & line etc.
It is a migratory species which enters from the coastal water through lake mouth
into the outer channel at juvenile and sub-adult stages. Maximum size recorded
from the lake is 55cm.

184

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteEpinephelus lanceolatus (Bloch, 1790)
Giant grouper
Odia: Kala Bhola

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Serranidae
Genus : Epinephelus
Species : Epinephelus lanceolatus

Diagnostic features
Body robust, its depth 2.4 to 3.4 times in standard length (SL). Head length 2.2 to 2.7
times in SL. Preopercle finely serrate, the corner rounded. Maxilla reaching past verticalat rear edge of eye. Gill rakers in juveniles 8 to 10 on upper limb, 14 to 17 on lower limb;
rudimentary in adults, difficult to distinguish from the bony platelets covering the gillarch. Dorsal fin with XI spines and 14 to 16 rays, the 3rd to 11th spines subequal; anal
fin with III spines and 8 rays; pectoral-fin rays 18 to 20; pelvic fins not reaching anus;
caudal fin rounded. Scales smooth, with auxiliary scales on lateral sides of body; lateral-line scales 54 to 62, the anterior scales with branched tubules; lateral-scale series
95 to 105. Colour: Small juveniles (12 cm SL) yellow, with irregular broad black bars on
body, the first from spinous dorsal fin to belly and chest and extending onto head, thesecond from base of soft dorsal fin to anal fin and the last at base of caudal fin; small
adults (20 to 50 cm SL) with irregular white or yellow spots on the black areas and finswith irregular black spots; adults (80 to 150 cm SL) dark brown with faint mottling, thefins with numerous small black spots; large adults (160 to 230 cm SL) dark brown, thefins darker. This species is placed in Schedule I Part II A of the Wildlife Protection
Act (1972) (Mishra and Gopi, 2014). Maximum length recorded 270.0 cm (TL) (Fischer
et al., 1990).

HabitatMarine; brackish; reef-associated.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to Algoa Bay, South Africa and eastward to the Hawaiian and
Pitcairn islands, north to southern Japan, south to Australia. Absence in the Persian
Gulf is puzzling.

IUCN Status
Vulnerable (VU)

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185

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which was collectedfrom northern sector. The species is locally known as Polagana / Lal chandi / Gua Chipi
in Odia, the fish is distributed throughout the lagoon. The fish has little commercial
importance and sells at an average unit price of Rs. 30-40/kg, it is consumed locally andused as aquarium fish. Usually caught through screen barrier (Khanda) and seine nets
(drag net). The catch is included in the miscellaneous freshwater group in commercial
landing.

186

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteEpinephelus malabaricus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Malabar grouper
Odia: Bhola

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Serranidae
Genus : Epinephelus
Species : Epinephelus malabaricus

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays:
8. Characterized by light grey to yellowish brown color; five slightly oblique darkbrown bars that bifurcate ventrally; numerous small black spots and blotches in headand body; ctenoid scales on body except cycloid anterodorsally on body, thorax andabdomen; body with auxiliary scales; greatest depth of body 3.0-3.6 in SL; roundedcaudal fin; pelvic fins, 2.0-2.6 in head length; head length 2.3-2.6 times in SL; snout
length 1.7-2.0 times in upper jaw length; interorbital width 4.5-6.5 times in HL and2.1-3.0 times in upper jaw length; flat or slightly convex interorbital area; subangularpreopercle, with enlarged serrae at the angle; almost straight upper edge of
operculum; subequal posterior and anterior nostrils, except in large adults which havethe posterior nostrils slightly larger; maxilla reaches to or past vertical at rear edge oforbit, maxilla width 4.5-6.5% of SL; upper jaw length 17-22% of SL, 2-5 rows of teeth on
midlateral part of lower jaw. Often 5 irregular dark brown bars visible on body. Head,body and fins brownish covered with small blackish brown and white spots. Maximum
length recorded 234.0 cm (TL) (Fischer et al., 1990).

HabitatMarine; brackish; reef-associated; amphidromous.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Tonga, north to Japan, south to Australia. It
is not known from the Persian Gulf, where the closely related Epinephelus coioides iscommon.

IUCN Status
Near Threatened (NT)

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Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Satapathy and Panda (2009). The
species is locally known as Bhola in Odia which usually occurs in outer channel
sector mainly during post-monsoon through summer. This is a one of the highvalue fishes which sells in the fresh fish market at very high price (Rs.150 andabove per kg). Annual landing of this fish is less than 2 tonnes which is landed only
at Arakhakuda, Sanapatana and Alupatana landing centres in the outer channel.
This fish is one of the valuable marine ornamental fishes generally used in the
public marine aquarium.

188

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteEpinephelus tauvina (Forsskål, 1775)
Greasy grouper
Odia: Chitra Bhola

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Serranidae
Genus : Epinephelus
Species : Epinephelus tauvina

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8.
Color of head and body pale greenish grey or brown with round dark spots that varyfrom dull orange-red to dark brown, centers darker than the edges. A large black blotch(or group of black spots) often visible on body at the base of last 4 dorsal-fin spines.
Five sub vertical dark bars may be present on body. Dark spots on soft dorsal, caudal
and anal fins of juveniles are so close that the pale interspaces form a white reticulum.
95-112 scales in longitudinal series. Scales on body ctenoid in juveniles, becoming
cycloid in adults except the area beneath and posterior to pectoral fins. Pyloric caeca
16-18. Further characterized by: elongate body, depth contained 3.0-3.6 times in SL;
large head, length is 2.1-2.4 times in SL; snout length 2.0-2.4 times in upper-jaw length;
interorbital area narrow, flat to slightly concave, interorbital width 6.8-8.1 times in HL
and 3.1-4.0 times in upper jaw length; broadly rounded preopercle, serrae at angleof preopercle slightly enlarged; upper edge of operculum almost straight; posterior
nostrils distinctly larger than anterior nostrils; maxilla reaching well past eye, greatest
width about twice suborbital depth, maxilla width 6.8-8.1% of standard length; upperjaw length 21-24% of SL; 2-5 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw; inner teeth
at symphysis of upper jaw are longer than the fixed canines at front of jaw. Differs from
E. howlandi by its more elongate body and closer-set spots. Maximum length recorded
100.0 cm (TL) (Bacchet et al., 2006).

HabitatMarine; reef-associated; oceanodromous.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to South Africa and eastward to Ducie in the Pitcairn Group, northto Japan, south to New South Wales and Lord Howe Island. Migration report from theeastern Mediterranean Sea may be based on Epinephelus coioides specimens.

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189

IUCN Status
Data Deficient (DD)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Jones and Sujansinghani (1954)
which was collected from Satapada area in the outer channel. The species is locallyknown as Chitra Bhola in Odia. This is a one of the high value fishes which sells
in the fresh fish market at very high price (Rs.150 and above per kg). It is highly
in demand in the seafood export trade. Annual landing of this fish is less than 1
tonne which is mainly landed at Arakhakuda, Sanapatana and Alupatana landing
centres in the outer channel. This fish is one of the valuable marine ornamental
fishes generally used in the public marine aquarium. It does not form a commercial
fishery in Chilika.

190

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteSillaginopsis panijus (Hamilton, 1822)
Flathead sillago
Odia: Tooldanti Jhudanga

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sillaginidae
Genus : Sillaginopsis
Species : Sillaginopsis panijus

Diagnostic features
Body elongate with depressed head and snout. Eyes 3-11% of head length (Talwar
and Jhingran, 1991). Two dorsal fins, second spine of first dorsal fin very elongate andfilamentous. Eyes are small and almost covered by fleshy orbits. Scales small. 84-88(Talwar and Jhingran, 1991) scales on lateral line. Maximum length recorded 44.0 cm(TL) (Talwar, and Jhingran, 1991; Huda et al., 2003).
Body color greenish-yellow above, paler to whitish below. Fins are pale brownish witha light dusting of fine black spots.

HabitatMarine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous.

Distribution
Western Indian Ocean: Pondicherry northward along the Coromandel coast, Ganges
delta, Myanmar, southward to Malaysia and rarely to the Indonesian Archipelago.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which was collectedfrom southern sector. The species is locally known as Tooldanti Jhudanga in Odia.
This flathead sillago and silver sillago (sand whiting) together forms the Sillaginidfishery with low catch (Average annual landing being 13 tonnes) but is considered
as a high value fish at present which is being marketed at Howrah and Siligudi at
an average selling price of Rs.180-200/kg. The catch is mostly marketed outside
the state at high price. The fish has a good ornamental value and mostly used
as a brackishwater / marine aquarium fish. Its juveniles are available in the outerchannel along sandy shore areas.
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191

Sillago sihama (Forsskal, 1775)
Silver sillago
Odia: Jhudanga / Kadama

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sillaginidae
Genus : Sillago
Species : Sillago sihama

Diagnostic features
S. sihama has an elongated and pointed snout. Head profile is strongly convex. Mouthis small and terminal. Upper jaw is slightly longer. Vertical limb of pre opercle serrated
in its lower half. Opercle with a well developed spine. Scales are about 6 rows between
the lateral line and the last dorsal spine. Swim bladder has two anterior and two posterior extensions. The anterior extensions extend forward and diverge to terminate
on each side of the basioccipital above the auditory capsule with tubular extensions
anteriorly. A silvery longitudinal band runs along the body with presence of minute
black points on dorsal and anal fins. Body light brown, ventral flanks and belly whitish;dorsal and caudal fins are dusky.
D. XI+I, 20-23; A. II, 18-23; P. 16-17; V. I, 5; Ll. 66-72.

Habitat
It is a marine and brackish water dwelling species; reef-associated and amphidromousin migration.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: southern Red Sea and Knysna, South Africa to Japan and south toAustralia. Reported from New Caledonia

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)192

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1923) which was collectedfrom Parikud area in central sector. The species is locally known as Jhudanga/ Kadama in Odia. The fish species is distributed throughout the lagoon. It is a
migratory species and breeds in the lagoon with an average annual yield of about
10.56 tonnes, the fish species average annual catch valuation is 18.54 lakhs INR. It
is an economically important species sold @ Rs 150-200/ kg at Siligudi and Rs.100150 within the state. The Fishing gears used for the species catch are gill nets andscreen barriers. The average sectoral landings of the fish species are of the order(Northern sector > Central sector > Outer channel > Southern sector).

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Sillago vincenti Mc Kay, 1980
Vincent’s sillago
Odia: Jhudanga

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sillaginidae
Genus : Sillago
Species : Sillago vincenti

Diagnostic features
Body of the fish species is elongated and snout is pointed. Head profile is strongly
convex. Mouth is small and terminal. Upper jaw is slightly longer. The species differsfrom Sillago sihama in its swim bladder which has a single posterior extension, a shortbulbous projection anteriorly with one to three anterolobate or recurved projections.
No tubular extensions anteriorly unlike Sillago sihama. Body uniform pale tan, with thesecond dorsal fin spotted; dorsal and caudal fins dusky.
D. XI+I, 21-23; A. II, 22-24; P. 16-17; V. I, 5; Ll. 70-74.

Habitat
It is aMarine and brackish water dwelling species; demersal in habit and amphidromous in migration.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indian Ocean: East and west coast of India

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007). The species
is locally known as Jhudanga in Odia. The fish species is distributed throughout
the lagoon. With an average annual yield of about 5 tonnes, its average annual
catch valuation has been estimated at Rs.1.00 lakh. It is an economically important
species sold @ Rs 80-120/- kg and consumed locally. The fishing gears used for the
species catch are gill nets and screen barriers.

194

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteRachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766)
Cobia / Black salmon / Black kingfish
Odia: Metta / Samudra seula

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Rachycentridae
Genus : Rachycentron
Species : Rachycentron canadum

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 7 - 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-33; Anal spines: 2-3; Anal soft
rays: 22 - 28. Head broad and depressed. First dorsal fin with short but strong isolated
spines, not connected by a membrane. Caudal fin lunate in adults, upper lobe longer
than lower. Back and sides dark brown, with 2 sharply defined narrow silvery bands.
Certain unique characters of cobia such as possession of 7-8 detached dorsal spines
help the researchers for its easy identification. Maximum length recorded 200.0 cm(TL) (Quéro, 1990).

HabitatMarine; brackish; reef-associated; oceanodromous.

Distribution
Worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters, but absent in the eastern Pacific and
the Pacific Plate, except marginally. Western Atlantic: Canada to Bermuda and
Massachusetts, USA to Argentina, including the Gulf of Mexico and entire Caribbean.
Eastern Atlantic: Morocco to South Africa. Indo-West Pacific: East Africa and Hokkaido,
Japan to Australia.
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In India they occur along the coastal waters of both west and east coast. Cobia canreach a total length of 2 m and maximum weight of 68 kg. It is an esteemed table fishwith high demand in market. First growth (6-7 kg / year). It is a very good candidate
species for aquaculture. Commercial production of cobia is very successful in someparts of Asia, mainly in Taiwan. High salinity tolerance of the fish in the range of 0.544.5 ppt qualifies it as potential species for brackish water aquaculture (diversificationin coastal aquaculture). Due to its high price and emerging popularity as a candidate
species for culture cobia is considered as an important resource. It is an excellent sport
fish as it exhibits tenacious fight when hooked. Setting up of Cobia farms is getting
momentum around the world.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which wascollected from outer channel near Arakhakuda fishing village. The species is locallyknown as Metta / Samudra Seula in Odia. It rarely occurs in the outer channel onlyat juvenile stages which immigrates from the coastal waters for feeding purpose.
Adults have not been encountered in Chilika. The juveniles of Cobia are also usedas marine ornamental fish in marine aquaria.

196

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteEcheneis naucrates Linnaeus, 1758
Live sharksucker
Odia: Magara Joko

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Echeneidae
Genus : Echeneis
Species : Echeneis naucrates

Diagnostic features
Echeneis naucrates can be easily spotted due to the sucking disc on top of its head.
Its sucking organ consists of numerous pairs of crests, which originated from a highly
modified spiny dorsal fin. This sucking disc is capable of producing a strong vacuum
that the species uses to attach to their hosts. The fish is usually 11 or 12 times as longas it is wide and about five and a half times the length of its head. The slim bodyusually has a dark stripe on the side with narrower pale edges. The sharksucker’s tail ispointed and the jaw is protruded. Echeneis naucrates pectoral and ventral fins are dark
in color and the belly is a dark brownish color. The dorsal and anal fins are black and areoutlined with a lighter shade. Sharksuckers can reach approximately 100 cm in length,
yet smaller ones are found more frequently. Adult females and males are difficult todistinguish. After the formation of the sucking disc, the young start to resemble theadults. Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 32-42; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft
rays: 29 - 41. Maximum length recorded 110.0 cm (TL) (Lieske and Myers, 1994).

HabitatEcheneis naucrates are often present in shallow inshore brackish areas, as well asaround coral reefs in marine environment. They are found at depths ranging from 2050 meters, which is where the coral reefs are located (Marine; brackish; reef-associated).

Distribution
Circumtropical. Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia, Canada and Bermuda to Uruguay.
Eastern Central Atlantic: Madeira Island.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)

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Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Roy and Sahoo (1957) which wascollected from Chilika of Balugaon fish landing centre. The species is locally known
as Magara Joko in Odia. The fish is encountered mostly in the central sector andouter channel being caught by Patua jaal and Khandas. It is considered as a goodbrackishwater ornamental fish to be used in aquarium. The annual catch for thisspecies has not been estimated in Chilika as the abundance is very much low. The
fish has little commercial interest other than its use in brackish water aquarium.

198

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteAlectis indica (Ruppell, 1830)

Indian threadfish / Indian threadfin trevally
Odia: Jhanjara

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : Alectis
Species : Alectis indica

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-20; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 15- 20; Vertebrae: 24. Maximum length recorded 165.0 cm (TL) (Lieske and Myers, 1994).

HabitatMarine; brackish; reef-associated.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to French Polynesia, north to southern Japan,
south to the Arafura Sea and Australia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which wascollected from Arakhakuda area of outer channel. The species is locally known as
Jhanjara in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is generally found in outer channel andalso in the central and southern sector occasionally. It forms a good fishery in thenear shore waters adjacent to Chilika Lake, mainly caught in gill nets, hand line
and also in barrier net boxes (Khandas); marketed fresh locally. Its catch is mixed
with the brackish water miscellaneous groups and separate landing has not been
estimated.

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Alepes djedaba (Forsskål, 1775)

Horse mackerel / Shrimp scad / Djeddaba crevalle
Odia: Kanto

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : AlepesSpecies : Alepes djedaba

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-25; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 18 20. Adipose eyelid well developed on posterior half of eye only. Both jaws with a single
row of numerous combline teeth. Supramaxilla large with a spinelike projection. 39-51
scutes. Maximum length recorded 40.0 cm (TL) (Heemstra, 1995).

HabitatMarine; reef-associated; amphidromous.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands, north to Japan, south toAustralia. Immigrant to the eastern Mediterranean through the Suez Canal, wetward
to Malta.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which wascollected from Arakhakuda area of outer channel. The species is locally known as
Kanto in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is generally found in outer channel and also
in the southern sector in the Palur Bay occasionally. It forms a good fishery in thenear shore waters adjacent to Chilika Lake mainly caught in gill nets, drag nets andKhandas in the outer channel. The average annual catch has been estimated at
61.5 tonnes; valued at Rs. 37.00 lakhs. Average selling price is Rs.60/kg. Its catch ismixed with the brackish water miscellaneous groups; locally consumed fresh andalso in salted and dry forms.

200

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteCarangoides ferdau (Forsskal, 1775)
Blue trevally
Odia: Parei

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : Carangoides
Species : Carangoides ferdau

Diagnostic features
The fish has a compressed body with bluntly rounded snout and the lips are notpapillose in adults. Its first dorsal fin is 0.25 times shorter than the second. The breast is
naked ventrally and the juveniles are usually found to have 5 to 6 vertical dark bandson the body. Yellow or orange spots on sides if present are small, numerous and mostly
above lateral line. The species was well identified with the straight part of lateral line,
which was little longer and had 29 scutes along with presence of 22 gill rakers on firstgill arch.
D. IX, 26-34; A. III, 21-26.

Habitat
It is a marine to brackish dwelling species, generally reef associated and commonlyoccur in shallow waters of 1-60 m depth. They are known to occur in lagoons.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (to Port Elizabeth, South Africa)
to the Hawaiian Islands.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika Lake by the scientists of ICAR-CIFRI,
Barrackpore, Kolkata which was collected from the outer channel sector near
Satapada area during May 2015 while ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, Kolkata wasundertaking field survey under ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZM Consultancy Project (20112017). The species is locally called as Parei. The fish bring a new record in 2015 has
no much of Chilika specific information.
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Carangoides oblongus (Cuvier, 1833)
Coachwhip Trevally
Odia: Kanti

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : Carangoides
Species : Carangoides oblongus

Diagnostic features
Carangoides oblogus has compressed, oblong body with the dorsal profile more convex
than the ventral profile. The head profile is also slightly convex. The lobe of second fin
is elongated and longer than the head length. The lateral line has a moderate anteriorarch, with the chord of this arch slightly shorter than the straight section. The curved
section of the lateral line has 60 to 69 scales while the straight section has 0 to 2 scales
and 37 to 42 scutes. The breast is scaleless, reaching ventrally to the pelvic fin origin,while laterally the naked breast is separated from the naked base of the pectoral finsby a band of scales. Both jaws contain bands of small teeth, with the bands becoming
wider anteriorly. The upper jaw also hosts an irregular series of moderately large outerteeth, with the largest specimens showing this in the lower jaw as well. There are 26 to
30 gill rakers and 24 vertebrae. The fish is dusky olive green colour above, fading to asilvery white or yellow below with small blue to black blotches present on the dorsal
line between the bases of the second dorsal fin rays. The upper caudal and soft dorsal
fins are dusky blue; the pelvic, pectoral and anal fins are yellow, while the anal fin has
white lobe tips. A diffuse dark opercular blotch may be absent altogether.
D. VIII+I, 20-22; A. III, 18-19; P. I, 18-19.

Habitat
It is a marine species usually found reef-associated.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Gulf of Aden and East Africa to Fiji and Tonga, north to southern Japan,
south to the Arafura Sea and Australia.

202

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteIUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika Lake by the scientists of ICARCIFRI, Barrackpore, Kolkata which was collected from the Satapada area during
September 2013 while ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, Kolkata was undertaking fieldsurvey under ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZM Consultancy Project (2011-2017). The species
is locally called as Kanti. Rarely found in outer channel sector, it is fished in gill net,screen barrier net (Khanda) and hook & line.

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Carangoides praeustus (Bennett, 1830)
Brownback Trevally
Odia: Tirana

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : Carangoides
Species : Carangoides praeustus

Diagnostic features
The fish species has an oblong and compressed body with dorsal profile more convex
than ventral. The head profile is steep and mouth is pointed with lower and upper jaw
at the same level. Straight part of the lateral line is conspicuously shorter than curved
part with 25-30 scutes. A total of 40-43 gill rakers present on first gill arch. First dorsal
fin is as high as second dorsal or slightly shorter. Distal half of second dorsal lobe is
abruptly black with a white margin, wide interiorly. The fish is brownish above andsilvery below. Fins are yellowish with dusky tips.
D. VIII+I, 23-24; A. II+I, 19-20.

Habitat
It is a marine species, demersal and oceanodromous in habit.

Distribution
It has an Indo-west Pacific distribution.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first recorded from Chilika by Jones and Sujansingani (1954) which
was collected from central sector of Chilika Lake near Balugaon. The species islocally known as Tirana, found mainly in outer channel & southern sector. Sold at
Rs. 80-130/kg the fish is consumed locally as fresh and salted. Fishing gears used isgill nets and hook & line. The catch is included in the brackishwater miscellaneousgroup.

204

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteCaranx papuensis (Alleyne & MacLeay, 1877)
Brass trevally
Odia: Dhala Kanti

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : Caranx
Species : Caranx papuensis

Diagnostic features
Body of the fish species is compressed and has bluntly rounded snout. The eyes have
weakly developed adipose eyelids. The species breast is naked ventrally but scales present
in the pre-pelvic region. It has a short upper jaw, ending before the middle of the eye. The
species was well identified with the presence of distinct white narrow margin in pelvic,
pectoral and anal fins. Upper lobe of caudal fin is usually uniformly pigmented, and thenarrow white border is at the posterior margin of lower lobe. There is also a conspicuous
white spot on the size of pupil diameter is present on shoulder just behind the posterodorsal margin of the opercle. Adults have small black spots on body above lateral line.
D. IX, 21-23; A. III, 16-19.

Habitat
It is a tropical marine to brackish dwelling species, generally reef associated, non-migratory
in nature and commonly occur in shallow waters of 1-50 m depth. They are known to occur
in lagoons.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-Pacific: Zanzibar, Tanzania and South Africa to Caroline andMarquesan islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika Lake by the scientists of ICAR-CIFRI,
Barrackpore, Kolkata which was collected from new lake mouth area in outer channel
during September 2015 while ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, Kolkata was undertaking fieldsurvey under ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZM Consultancy Project (2011-2017). The species islocally called as Dhala Kanti. As the species is a new record to the lagoon, not muchinformation is available about the species from the lagoon.
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Caranx sexfasciatus Quoy & Gaimard, 1825
Bigeye trevally
Odia: Parei

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : Caranx
Species : Caranx sexfasciatus

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19-22; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 14- 17. Maximum length recorded 120cm (TL).

HabitatMarine; freshwater; brackish; reef-associated; amphidromous.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii, north to southern Japan and the
Ogasawara Islands, south to Australia and New Caledonia. Eastern Pacific: southwestern
coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico and the Gulf of California to Ecuador and theGalapagos Islands. It also commonly occurs in Bay of Bengal and casually entering into
the estuaries and lagoons.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968). The species islocally known as Parei in Odia. It mostly occurs in outer channel sector being
immigrated from the sea. The main landing centre for this fish in Chilika is
Arakhakuda under Brahmagiri Block in the outer channel sector. The fish has goodcommercial value and mostly consumed locally. The average unit price of the fish
is Rs.60-80/kg. Often it is converted to dry fish for local consumption.

206

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteMegalaspis cordyla (Linnaeus, 1758)
Torpedo scad
Odia: Kanti Marua / Thumburda

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : Megalaspis
Species : Megalaspis cordyla

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-20; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 16- 17. Caudal peduncle strongly compressed with a marked median keel. About 8 to 10
detached finlets are present after dorsal and anal fins. A large black opercular spot ispresent. Maximum length recorded 80cm (TL).

HabitatMarine; brackish; reef-associated.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to Japan and Australia. It is quite common in Bay of
Bengal.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Roy and Sahoo (1957) which wascollected from central sector near Parikud. The species is locally known as Kanti
Marua / Thumburda in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is generally occurs in outerchannel and landed in significant quantity at Arakhakuda fish landing centre andalso at Sanapatana centre in the outer channel. It has commercial importance andconsumed locally as fresh fish. The fish migrates from the sea into the lake and alsocaught in the central sector casually. It is mostly sold in the fresh fish markets ofPuri city and nearby small towns. The average unit price for the fish is Rs.80-90/kg.

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Scomberoides commersonnianus Lacepede, 1801
Talang queenfish
Odia: White Parei

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : Scomberoides
Species : Scomberoides commersonnianus

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 7 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19-21; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays:
16 - 19. Maximum length recorded 120cm (TL).

HabitatMarine; brackish; reef-associated; amphidromous.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific. It commonly occurs in both Arabian seas and Bay of Bengal along
Indian coast.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohanty et al. (2015). The species
is locally known as White Parei in Odia. It occurs mostly in outer channel sector
and landed in substantial quantity at Arakhakuda, Sanapatana and Khirisahi in thelake. It is marketed fresh in the local area and casually converted to dry fish. The
fish has good commercial value with average unit price of Rs.100/kg. It is generally
marketed at Puri and other nearby small towns. The fish migrates from the sea
into the outer channel of the lake mostly for feeding purpose during winter andsummer. Since its annual catch is considerably less, it is generally grouped in the
miscellaneous fishes.

208

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteScomberoides lysan (Forsskal, 1775)
Double spotted queenfish
Odia: Khadisa

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : Scomberoides
Species : Scomberoides lysan

Diagnostic features
The fish has elongated and compressed body. Profile over nape is slightly concave.
Eyes are 4.1-5.7 in head length. Upper jaw is longer. Cleft of mouth is deep, the maxilla
extending nearly half a diameter behind the orbit. Lateral line is devoid of scutes andhas a slight angular elevation soon after its commencement. Pectoral fins short andnot falcate. Gill raker on the first gill arch is 21-27. Body is grey green above; silvery
white below. Two series of 6-8 dusky roundish blotches present above and below
lateral line; distal half of dorsal fin lobe dark. Anal fin origin is slightly behind second
dorsal origin and is with a small dusky blotch on anterior part.
D. VI-VII+I, 21; A. II+I, 19-21; P. 20; V. I, 5.

HabitatThis species inhabits in marine to brackish water systems and is reef-associated.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-Pacific region: Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii, Marquesas,
Line and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to New South Wales and
Rapa.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968). The species islocally known as Khadisa in Odia, occurs in outer channel sector and are not sofrequent in fishermen’s catch. Generally small sized (up to 12 cm) fishes inhabitsin the area caught in gill net and screen barrier net. The fish consumed locally andsold @ Rs 80-100/- kg.

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Scomberoides tala (Cuvier, 1832)
Barred queenfish
Odia: Kanti Parei

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : Scomberoides
Species : Scomberoides talaDiagnostic features
Spots on sides elongate vertically, forming short bars in adults. Maximum length
recorded 70cm (TL).

HabitatMarine; reef-associated.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to the Philippines, north to China, south to Australia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported as Chorimeinus tala from Chilika by Jones andSujansinghani (1954). The species is locally known as Kanti Parei in Odia. In
Chilika Lake, the fish is frequently found in the outer channel sector being landed
at Arakhakuda and Sanapatana fish landing centres. Being a marine migrant thefish has good commercial value and consumer preference. Sold mainly at Puri,
Brhamagiri and local village markets. The average unit price for the fish is about
Rs.80-90/kg.

210

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteScomberoides tol (Cuvier, 1832)
Needlescaled queenfish
Odia: Kanto / Koni

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : Scomberoides
Species : Scomberoides tol

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 7 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19-21; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays:
18 - 20. Dorsally bluish, ventrally silver or white, with 5-8 vertically oblong or oval blackspots5-8, the first 4-5 intersect the lateral line, dorsal fin lobe black outer half. Body
strongly compressed, oblong and elliptical, dorsal and ventral profiles equally convex.
In adults, upper jaw extends to posterior edge of pupil. Soft rays of posterior dorsal
and anal fins consist of semi-detached finlets.

HabitatMarine; brackish; reef-associated.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: widespread throughout the Indian Ocean from Natal, South Africa
northward and from Japan south to Australia and east to Fiji.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007). The species

is locally known as Kanto/Koni in Odia. The fish rarely occurs in outer channel
during post-winter and summer when the marine condition prevails there being
close to the lake mouth. The fish is a highly commercial species of marine origin.
Generally the fishermen of Arakhakuda fishing village catch this fish in gill nets
and bring the catch to Arakhakuda landing centre. Although the annual landing of
this fish is negligible, it is highly in demand at Howrah market in West Bengal. The
average local unit price of the fish is Rs.120-130/kg.

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Selar boops (Cuvier, 1833)
Oxeye scad
Odia: Tirana

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : Selar
Species : Selar boops

Diagnostic features
Color: Blue-green above, silvery to silver-gold below. A dusky spot on edge of
operculum. Dorsal, anal and caudal fins with a dusky fringe, and white tips anteriorly
to dorsal and anal fins.
Oblong and compressed body with large eyes having adipose eyelid. Diameter of eyes
2.7 to 3.0 times in head length. Upper jaw (maxilla) reaches to midorbit. Lower marginof gill opening with a deep furrow. Teeth are arranged in a single series in both thejaws; preceded by a band anteriorly. 23 gill rakers are present on lower arm of firstarch. Two dorsal fins; first dorsal fin with 1 procumbent spine (not always visible) and8 normal spines; second dorsal fin with 1 spine and 24 or 25 soft rays; dorsal and anal
fin bases equal. Anal fin with 2 detached spines, followed by 1 spine and 20 or 21 soft
rays. Pectoral fins short and falcate. Lateral line is moderately curved anteriorly andbecome straight before soft dorsal fin; with 44 to 46 scutes, beginning below origin ofsoft dorsal fin, largest scute about 4 times i body depth. Breast fully scaled.

HabitatMarine; reef-associated. Adults are found inshore and form large schools on day time.
They disperse at night to feed on planktonic and benthic invertebrates such as crabs
and shrimps.

Distribution
Pacific Ocean: Andaman Islands to Vanuatu, north to the Philippines, south to northern
Australia.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)212

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Satapathy and Panda (2009) which
was collected from Rambhartia area of outer channel sector. The species is locallyknown as Tirana in Odia. Although a good food fish, its catch in Chilika is muchless and is mixed with miscellaneous brackish water fish groups. The fish mostly
occurs in outer channel beyond Magarmukh and up to Parikud area in the central
sector; caught by barrier nets and monophilament gill net. Marketed fresh anddried salted.

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Selar crumenophthalmus (Bloch, 1793)
Bigeye scad
Odia: Kanti, Samudra Parei

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : Selar
Species : Selar crumenophthalmus

Diagnostic features
Body elongate and moderately compressed, with lower profile slightly more convex
than upper. Eye very large, shorter than snout length and with a well developed adipose
eyelid completely covering eye except for a vertical slit centred on pupil; upper jaw
moderately broad at end and extending to below anterior margin of pupil; teeth small
and recurved, upper jaw with a narrow band, tapering posteriorly; lower jaw with anirregular single row. Gillrakers (including rudiments) 9 to 12 upper, 27 to 31 lower on
first gill arch. Shoulder girdle (cleithrum) margin with a deep furrow, a large papilla
immediately above it and a smaller papilla near upper edge. Dorsal fin with 8 spines
and I + 24-27 soft rays. Anal fin with 2 spines and I + 21-23 soft rays; dorsal and anal finswithout a detached terminal finlet. Pectoral fins shorter than head. Scales moderately
small and cycloid (smooth to touch), covering body except for a small area behind
pectoral fins, scutes relatively small, chord of the curved part of lateral line contained
0.7 to 1.2 times in straight part (to caudal fin base); scales in curved part with 48 to 56
anterior scales; 0 to 4 scutes in curved part; straight part with 0 to 11 anterior scales
and 29 to 42 scutes; total scales and scutes in lateral line (excluding caudal scales)
84 to 94. Colour in fresh fish, upper third of body and top of head metallic blue or
bluish-green; tip of snout dusky or blackish; lower two thirds of body and head silvery
or whitish; a narrow, yellowish stripe may be present from edge of opercle to upper
part of caudal peduncle; blackish areas above and below pupil with a reddish area
sometimes present; a small elongated, blackish opercular spot on edge near upper
margin. First dorsal fin dusky on margins with rest of fin clear; second dorsal fin dusky
over most of fin with dorsal lobe blackish; anal fin clear or slightly dusky along base;caudal fin dusky with tip of upper lobe dark; pectoral fins clear or slightly dusky nearbase and with a yellowish tint sometimes present; pelvic fins clear (http://www.fao.
org/fishery/species/2326/en; dt.25.05.2017). Maximum length recorded 70.0 cm (TL)
(Kuiter and Tonozuka, 2001).

HabitatMarine; reef-associated. Found small to large schools, mainly inshore or in shallow
water; at times over shallow reefs but may reach depths of 170 m. Prefers clean, clear
insular waters but occasionally in turbid waters. Mainly nocturnal, it feeds primarily on

214

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research Instituteplanktonic or benthic invertebrates, including shrimps, crabs and foraminifers; also on
fish.

Distribution
Circumtropical. Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Rapa, north to southern Japan and the
Hawaiian Islands, south to New Caledonia. Eastern Pacific: Mexico to Peru, including
the Galapagos Islands. Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia, Canada and Bermuda throughthe Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean to São Paulo, Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Cape Verdeto southern Angola.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species (22 cm) was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007) which

was collected from outer channel sector. The species is locally known as Kanti,
Samudra Parei in Odia. This is one of the important marine species in coastal scadfishery. Smaller size fishes of this species are very often encountered by fishermenin the outer channel which has good market demand for local consumption. On
an average, 0.3-0.4 tonnes are caught from Chilika annually and its distribution in
Chilika is mainly in outer channel and also occasionally caught from central sector.

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215

Selaroides leptolepis (Cuvier, 1833)
Yellowstripe scad
Odia: Tirana

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : Selaroides
Species : Selaroides leptolepis

Diagnostic features
Body elongate, oblong and compressed; dorsal and ventral profiles equally convex.
Eye diameter about equal to slightly smaller than snout length, with adipose eyelid
moderately developed on posterior half of eye; upper jaw strongly protractile withposterior end of jaw concave above, concave and produced below; upper jaw without
teeth; lower jaw with a series of minute teeth. Gillrakers (including rudiments) 10 to
14 upper, 27 to 32 lower and 40 to 46 total on first gill arch. Shoulder girdle (cleithrum)
margin smooth, without papillae. Two separate dorsal fins, the first with 8 spines,
the second with I + 24-26 soft rays. Anal fin with 2 detached spines followed by I +21-23 soft rays; spinous dorsal fin moderately high, longest spine height about equal
length of soft dorsal fin lobe. Lateral line anteriorly with a moderate regular arch, withjunction of curved and straight parts below second dorsal fin between 10th to 12thsoft rays; chord of curved part of lateral line longer than straight part of lateral line,
contained 0.6 to 0.8 times in straight part; straight part of lateral line with 13 to 25
scales followed by 24 to 29 relatively small scutes. Breast completely scaled. Colour
in life, metallic blue above, silvery white below, with a broad yellow stripe from upper
margin of eye to caudal peduncle; prominent black opercular spot encroaching onto
shoulder. Dorsal, anal and caudal fins pale to dusky yellow; pelvic fins white.

HabitatOccurs in inshore waters of the continental shelf. Forms large demersal schools oversoft bottom habitats at depths shallower than 50 m. Ostracods, gastropods andeuphausids are common prey but small fish are also taken. Marine; brackish; reefassociated; amphidromous.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf to the Philippines, north to Japan, south to the Arafura
Sea and Australia.

216

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteIUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohanty (1973) which was collectedfrom outer channel sector near Arakuda village. The species is locally known as
Tirana in Odia. Separate landing for this species has not been recorded in Chilika
but is mixed with the brackishwater miscellaneous group. A tasty food fish, sold in
the local market as fresh and dried salted.

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Trachinotus baillonii (Lacepede 1801)
Small spotted dart
Odia: Aisina Parei

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : Trachinotus
Species : Trachinotus baillonii

Diagnostic features
It has an elongate to ovate and strongly compressed body. Dorsal and ventral profileis almost equally convex, snout blunt. Both jaws are with bands of small villiform teeth
and tongue is lack of teeth. It has 2 separate dorsal fins. Dorsal fin lobe consistently
shorter than anal fin lobe in larger specimens (> 25 cm FL). Similarly, pelvic fins relatively short, its length contained 1.9 to 2.3 times in pectoral fin length in larger specimens of > 25 cm FL. Lateral line only slightly irregular, weakly convex above pectoralfin, becoming straight posteriorly. No scutes or caudal peduncle grooves is present.
Body of adult is silvery-blue to grey above, silvery white below. Sides with 3-5 blackspots, smaller than eye diameter are present on lateral line; middle spot is larger than
the sides. Caudal fin is symmetrical
D1. VI+ I, 21-25; A. II+I, 20-24.

HabitatInhabits in brackish and marine waters; usually reef-associated.

Distribution
Distribution is Indo-West Pacific and Red Sea.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by ICAR-CIFRI’s scientific team while

conducting fish diversity inventory survey. The species is locally known as
Aisina Parei in Odia. The specimen was collected from old mouth area of Chilika
during September 2015. As this species is new record for the lagoon, no muchinformation about its catch, commercial values etc are available. The fish is a casual
visitor to the outer channel of the Chilika for feeding purpose, rarely found in thecommercial catches.

218

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteTrachinotus botla (Shaw, 1803)
Large spotted dart
Odia: Peti Parei

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : Trachinotus
Species : Trachinotus botla

Diagnostic features
The fish has a compressed round body with small head. It has four dull grey oval
shaped lateral line spots, located about 2/3rd above lateral line. The anterior one is larger and gradually decreases towards the fourth. Second dorsal and anal fins are highly
falcate and the soft anal rays count 19. Dorsal-fin lobe is usually longer than anal-fin
lobe and pelvic fins are long, their length contained 1.5 to 1.7 times in pectoral-fin
length in specimens larger than about 25 cm fork length. The vomerine tooth patch isusually tear drop shaped.
D. VII, 22-24; A. III, 19-22.

Habitat
It is a tropical marine to brackish dwelling species, generally reef associated commonlyoccur in shallow waters of 1-60 m depth.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indian Ocean: Somalia and Kenya to Algoa Bay, South Africa; also
Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Western Australia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by ICAR-CIFRI’s scientific team while

conducting fish diversity inventory survey. The species is locally known as Peti
Parei in Odia. The fish was collected from old mouth area of Chilika on 9 September
2015 caught by hook and line. As the species is a new record to the lagoon, notmuch information is available about the species from the lagoon. It is a food fishconsumed by coastal fishermen.
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219

Trachinotus mookalee Cuvier, 1832
Indian pompano
Odia: Dhala Oranga

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Carangidae
Genus : Trachinotus
Species : Trachinotus mookalee

Diagnostic features
Profile of snout broadly rounded, in adults becoming nearly straight to interorbital region;
tongue with a narrow band of teeth, persisting to about 50 cm FL; supraoccipital bonebroad and sausage-shaped in adults >30 cm FL. 2 separate dorsal fins, the first with 6 shortspines (the anterior spines often becoming completely embedded in adults). followed 1
spine and 16-18 soft rays. Head and bodies generally silvery, greenish to bluish-grey dorsally, paler below; anal fin bright to dirty yellow, lobe without a brownish anterior margin.
Maximum length 90.0 cm (TL).
Colour: Head and body silvery, greenish to bluish grey dorsally, paler below, large adults
sometimes with body mostly bronze or greenish golden; 2nd dorsal and caudal fins dusky
yellow, leading edges and fin tips darkest; pelvic fins pale yellow to white; pectoral fins
dark; juveniles silvery with pale yellow fins, except distal half of dorsal fin lobe black.

HabitatMarine; demersal.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007). The species islocally known as Dhala Oranga in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is frequently foundin the outer channel sector, mainly being landed at Arakhakuda and Sanapatana fish
landing centres. Occasionally also found in the central sector of the lake. The marine
fish has commercial value fetching an average unit price of Rs.100-110/kg. It is generallycaught by gill nets and bag nets operated in the outer channel. In the commercial
landing, it is included in the miscellaneous group since its landing is insignificant.

220

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteAurigequula fasciata (Lacepede, 1803)
Striped ponyfish
Odia: Tankachandi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Leiognathidae
Genus : AurigequulaSpecies : Aurigequula fasciata

Diagnostic features
2nd dorsal-fin spine elongated; about 11 vertical lines; breast scaleless; axil yellow.
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 14.
Deep bodied and vertical dark bars on upper sides. Long filament on dorsal spine.
Silvery body. Naked head; with nuchal spine. Protracted mouth pointing downward.

HabitatMarine; brackish; demersal. Found in coastal waters. May also enter semi-enclosed
sea areas and estuaries. Euryhaline, Forms schools, Feeds on polychaetes, small
crustaceans, and small fish.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa and Fiji, north to Japan, south tonortheastern Australia.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Satapathy and Panda (2009) which

was collected from Sanapatana area in outer channel. The species is locally known
as Tankachandi in Odia. The fish is regularly caught in outer channel being mixed
with other leiognathid species and are included in the landing of brackish water
miscellaneous group of fishes, hence individual catch is not recorded in the catch
data. Though small in size but a good tasty food fish, marketed and dried salted
by the fishermen of Arakuda and Sanapatana village in the outer channel sector.
Generally caught in barrier nets, drag nets and bag nets. Rarely occurs in thecentral sector and Palur Bay in the southern sector.
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221

Leiognathus equulus (Forsskal, 1775)
Common ponyfish
Odia: Tanka Chandi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Leiognathidae
Genus : Leiognathus
Species : Leiognathus equulus

Diagnostic features
The species has a deep and compressed body with strongly arched dorsal profile.
Mouth points downward when protracted. Mandibular profile is strongly concave.
Head is without scales, breast without thin scales. Body colour is silvery with faint,
narrow vertical stripes on back. Small black blotch is present on caudal peduncle.
Pectoral axile is dusky and anal fin yellowish.
D. VIII, 15-16; A. III, 14-15; P. 18-20; V. I, 5

Habitat
It is a marine, fresh and brackish water dwelling species. It is demersal in habit andamphidromous in migration.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea, Persian Gulf and East Africa (including
Reunion, Comoros, Seychelles, Madagascar and Mauritius) to Fiji, north to the Ryukyu
Islands, south to Australia.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1923). The species islocally known as Tanka Chandi in Odia, distributed throughout the lagoon. It
has minor commercial value, sold @ Rs 50-60/kg in fish landing center. The fishconsumed locally as fresh and salt dried. The fish generally captured throughscreen barrier nets (Khanda), drag nets and seine nets. The fish is a potential
material for poultry feed preparation.

222

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteNuchequula blochii (Valenciennes, 1835)
Twoblotch ponyfish
Odia: Chandi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Leiognathidae
Genus : NuchequulaSpecies : Nuchequula blochii

Diagnostic features
It has oblong or elevated body; strongly compressed. The mouth is very protractile.
It has minute teeth of equal size present in the jaws. The lower jaw is longer and its
antero-ventral profile is almost straight. The posterior margin of the maxilla reaches
to below the first third or middle of the eye. The lower edge of preopercle is serrated.
Breast is fully scaled but the cheek is naked. A distinct, jet-black blotch is locateddistally on the spinous dorsal fin. The supra-orbital ridge is serrated. A brown blotch ispresent over the nape.
D. VIII, 16; A. III, 14; P. 18-19; V. I, 5; Ll. 60.

Habitat
The species occurs in brackish to marine water bodies, demersal in habit andamphidromous in migration.

Distribution
It has an Indo-West Pacific distribution: known only from Pakistan, India, and Thailand.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1923) which was collectedfrom Barkul Bay in central sector. The species is locally known as Chandi in Odia,
occurs in northern and central sector of Chilika. The fish has a minor commercial
value, consumed locally, sold @ Rs. 50-60/kg at landing center. The fish generally
captured through screen barrier nets (Khanda), drag nets and seine nets. The fish
is a potential material for poultry feed preparation.
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223

Photopectoralis bindus (Valenciennes, 1835)
Orangefin ponyfish
Odia: Tonki Chandi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Leiognathidae
Genus : PhotopectoralisSpecies : Photopectoralis bindus

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-17; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays:
14. Bright orange blotch, edged with black on the dorsal fin. Breast scaled. Maximum
length recorded 11.0 cm (TL) (James, 1984).

HabitatMarine; brackish; demersal; amphidromous.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Port Sudan in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf to Japan, the Arafura
Sea and Australia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007) which wascollected from outer channel sector near Arakhakuda. The species is locally known
as Tonki chandi in Odia. The fish is caught in association with other Leiognathid
species in the outer channel sector. It is sold in the local market.

224

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteLethrinus lentjan (Lacepede, 1802)
Pink ear emperor
Odia: Kokoroba

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Lethrinidae
Genus : Lethrinus
Species : Lethrinus lentjan

Diagnostic features
It’ body depth greater than head length. Inter orbital space moderately convex; snout
straight, no hump to head. Maxilla reaches opposite anterior or posterior nostril.
Posterolateral teeth in jaws include distinct molars in adults, anterior teeth caniniform.
Dorsal fin continuous; fourth dorsal fin spine longest; it is 2.7 to 3.1 times in head length.
There are 5 ½ scale rows between lateral line and median dorsal fin spines. Inner surfaceof pectoral fin base is without scales. Body is green-grey above and lighter silvery below.
White spots on scales centre especially above lateral line. Head with bright red margin to
opercle and usually to pectoral fin base.
D. X, 9; A. III, 8; P. 13; V. I, 5

Habitat
The species dwells in both marine and brackish region and is found to be reef-associated.

Distribution
The species is well distributed in Indo-West Pacific: Red sea, Arabian (Persian Gulf ), East
Africa to the Ryukyu Islands and Tonga.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika Lake by ICAR-CIFRI while undertaking fish
diversity inventory survey in Chilika under ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZM Consultancy Project(2011-2017) which was collected from new lake mouth area during September 2015.
The species is locally known as Kokoroba in Odia. The species is a new record for Chilika(TL = 16.3 cm). This fish was caught from gill net operated in new mouth area of Chilika.

Chilika Development Authority

225

Lutjanus argentimaculatus (Forsskal, 1775)
Mangrove red snapper
Odia: Angarua

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Lutjanidae
Genus : Lutjanus
Species : Lutjanus argentimaculatus

Diagnostic features
The species has moderately deep body with pointed snout. Body greenish-brown, belly
silvery; scales with a dark centers and white margin; medial fins with reddish hue. Preorbitalbone is relatively broad, wider than eye diameter. Jaw teeth are conical with upper
canines notably enlarged (as of all Lutjanus species). Preopercular notch and knob poorly
developed; vomerine teeth (on roof of mouth) are in a V-shaped patch, without a medial
posterior extension. Tongue with a patch of granular teeth. Gills with 16–20 gill rakers areon 1st gill arch. Pectoral and ventral fins dark brown; anterior margin of ventral fin red withnarrow white margin. Caudal fin is emarginated. Juveniles are with 8 whitish bars on sides
and 1 or 2 blue lines across cheek.
D. X, 13-14; A. III, 8; P. 16-17; V. I, 5; Ll. 46.

Habitat
It is a marine, brackish and freshwater dwelling species usually reef-associated andoceanodromous in migration.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to Samoa and the Line Islands, north to
the Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia. Has dispersed into the eastern Mediterranean (off
Lebanon) via the Suez Canal but not well established there.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which was collectedfrom outer channel near Arakhakuda village. The species is locally known as Angarua
in Odia. It is a rare species found only in outer channel sector of Chilika. It has goodcommercial value, consumed locally, sold @ Rs 100-200/kg. The fish is caught in hook
& long line and gill nets.

226

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteLutjanus indicus Allen, White & Erdmann, 2013
Russell’s snapper
Odia: Rangua

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Lutjanidae
Genus : Lutjanus
Species : Lutjanus indicus

Diagnostic features
It has an elevated and deeply compressed body with rounded abdomen. Head is short,compressed with dorsal profile deeply sloped. Vomerine tooth patch is triangular, witha median posterior extension. Preorbital width is about equal to, or slightly less thaneye diameter. Pre-opercular notch is shallow. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above
lateral line. Caudal fin is truncate. Body is brownish yellow, the lower sides and belly being
yellowish white. 6-7 narrow golden horizontal stripes on sides, the lower ones horizontal
and upper ones rising obliquely to dorsal profile. A black blotch is present below anterior
dorsal rays. All fins are yellowish; caudal fin dusky.
D. X, 14; A. III, 8; P. 16; V. I, 5; Ll. 48-50.

Habitat
The fish inhabits in marine and brackish water environments, generally found to be reefassociated.

Distribution
The species is commonly distributed in Western Pacific region.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Roy & Sahoo (1957) which was collectedfrom outer channel near Alupatana village. The species is locally known as Rangua in
Odia. The species mostly inhabits in outer channel sector but rarely found in southernand central sector. The species has good commercial value, consumed locally, sold @Rs 100-200/kg. The fish is caught in gill nets and hook and long line. In outer channel,
the species more frequently found to be caught in hook and line. This is a migratory
species.
Chilika Development Authority

227

Lutjanus johnii (Bloch, 1792)
John’s snapper
Odia: Rangua

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Lutjanidae
Genus : Lutjanus
Species : Lutjanus johnii

Diagnostic features
It has an elevated and deeply compressed body with rounded abdomen. Its head is shortand compressed. The dorsal profile of body is deeply sloped. The villiform teeths are present in both jaws; canine in the upper and smaller ones in the lower jaw. Presence of vomerine tooth patch is cresentic, without a median posterior extension. Inter-opercular nob isabsent. Longitudinal scale rows above lateral line are parallel to it and those below lateralline are horizontal. Caudal fin is truncate. Body colour is yellow with silvery shine and silvery
white on belly. Center of each scale is with reddish brown spots giving an appearance ofseries of horizontal lines. No stripes on sides of body. A round black spot longer than eye ispresent above lateral line situated below the anterior soft dorsal rays.
D. X, 14; A. III, 8; P. 16; V. I, 5

Habitat
The species dwells in both marine and brackish region and is found to be reef-associated.
It is an oceanodromous species.

Distribution
The distribution of the species ranges from Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to Fiji, north to the
Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1923) which was collectedfrom Rambha Bay (southern sector). The species is locally known as Rangua in Odia.
The species frequently occurs in outer channel sector but also found in southern andcentral sector. The species is commercially important, sold @ Rs 100-200/kg. Largely
used for local consumption. The fish caught in gill nets and Hook and long line.
Common size occurs in Chilika is 8-15 cm.

228

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteLutjanus kasmira (Forsskal, 1775)
Common bluestripe snapper
Odia: Soosta, Rangua

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Lutjanidae
Genus : Lutjanus
Species : Lutjanus kasmira

Diagnostic features
Preorbital width usually greater than eye diameter; vomerine teeth (on roof of mouth) ina V-shaped patch, without a medial posterior extension; tongue toothless; scale rows onback rising obliquely above lateral line; 20–22 gill rakers on 1st gill arch. The fish is also
known as a game fish.
Dorsal spines (total):10; Dorsal soft rays (total):14-15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8.
Tooth patch on vomer crescentic, without a posterior median extension. Preopercular knob
and notch well developed. Pale dusky stripes. Background colour yellowish. Fins scaled. 4
blue stripe. Maximum length recorded 40.0cm (TL) (Bykov, 1983).
Colour: Yellow with abrupt transition to white on lower one-third; a series of 4 blue stripes
on yellow portion of body; several faint greyish stripes on lowermost part of sides; fins
yellow

HabitatMarine; reef-associated.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Marquesas and Line islands, north to southern
Japan, south to Australia. Southeast Atlantic: East London, South Africa.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which was recorded
from Arakhakuda (outer channel) as Lutjanus quinqulineatus. The species is locallyknown as Soosta, Rangua in Odia which casually occurs in outer channel and mostly
landed at Arakhakuda fish landing centre. The fish does not form a commercial fisheryin the lake. It is generally caught by gill nets and hook & lines.
Chilika Development Authority

229

Lutjanus rivulatus (Cuvier, 1828)
Blubberlip snapper
Odia: Rangua

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Lutjanidae
Genus : Lutjanus
Species : Lutjanus rivulatus

Diagnostic features
The species has moderately deep, slender and laterally compressed body. Body
depth is 3 times in SL. Dorsal profile of head sharply sloped. Preorbital bone is broad,
twice the eye diameter. The preopercular notch and knob is moderately developed.
Posterior and inferior preopercular border is denticulate. Six transverse rows of scales
are present on operculum. Frontal part of head is naked, bearing numerous ripple
blue lines. Mouth is oblique and its maxillary reaching to below front border of eyeor of pupil. Small teethes are present on vomer in a sharply dent band, in an elongate
band on palatines. Scales beginning on occiput is with a distinct supra-temporal band.
Longitudinal rows of scales above lateral line rising obliquely, ascending to dorsal
profile, running horizontally below the lateral line. Around 48-52 transverse rows ofscales are above lateral line and 45-49 below it. Dorsal spines are robust. First spine ishalf the length of second, which is shorter than third. Soft dorsal is rounded, as highas spinous part. Soft part of anal fin is also rounded; deeper than spinous part. Ventral
spine is as long as snout. Caudal fin slightly emarginated. Body colour olive-brown to
blackish dorsally and faded gradually towards ventral. A chalky white spot surroundedby black margins is located on the lateral line just below the junction of spiny andsoft dorsals. Three black longitudinal bands present on body before the chalky spots.
Upper part of spiny dorsal is reddish, while the top of both dorsal rays and anal fins isyellowish. The pelvic and anal fins are deep black whereas the pectorals are completely
yellow in colour.

Habitat
The species inhabits in marine water, found to be reef-associated.

Distribution
Distributed in Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Tahiti, north to southern Japan, south toAustralia.

230

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteIUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika Lake by Karna et al. (2017) while the

ICAR-CIFRI scientific team was undertaking fish diversity inventory survey in
Chilika under ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZM Consultancy Project (2011-2017) which
was collected from Satapada area of outer channel and new mouth area during
September & December 2015. The species is locally known as Angarua in Odia.
The species is newly recorded for Chilika lake, hence not much of information
specific to Chilika Lake are available.

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Datnioides polota (Hamilton, 1822)
Silver tiger perch
Odia: Verenda / Udari

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Datnioididae
Genus : Datnioides
Species : Datnioides polota

Diagnostic features
The fish has an elevated, oblong and compressed body. Abomen is rounded and predorsal profile strongly concave. It has a compressed head and pointed snout with largeeyes. Mouth is wide and terminal, cleft does not extending to anterior border of orbit.
Upper jaw is protrusible. Total gill rakers on the first arch are 20-23.The Lateral line iscurved, complete and has about 40-60 large scales in lateral series. The body colour
pattern is highly variable; up to 7 vertical bars on body, sometimes with 1 to 4 partial
bars between full bars. Of the three anal spines, second is longer than third.
D. XII, 13-14; A. III, 8-9; P. 19; V. I, 5; Ll. 40-60.

Habitat
The fish dwells in fresh and brackish water region specifically near mouth regions ofrivers and coastal lagoons; benthopelagic in habit.

Distribution
It is distributed in Asia and Oceania: India to Indonesia and New Guinea.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)232

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1923) which wascollected from the lake near Barkul. The species is locally called as Verenda or
Udari. It is a resident species in Chilika, is well occurs throughout the lagoon but
more frequently found in central and northern sector. It breeds near river mouthof Daya in the northern sector and also in Nalabana area in the central sector. The
average annual landing has been estimated at 53.73 tonnes valued at Rs. 41.48
lakhs. The average sectoral landings are of the order: central sector > northern
sector > southern sector > outer channel sector. It has good commercial value,sold @ Rs. 70-80/kg. Generally, consumed locally and also has ornamental value.
Fishermen in Chilika used gill nets and screen barrier nets (Khanda) for targeting
this species.
Karna et al. (2017) studied the length weight and length-length relations of thespecies from the Chilika Lake.

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Gerres erythrourus (Bloch, 1791)
Deep-bodied mojarra
Odia: Jagili

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gerreidae
Genus : Gerres
Species : Gerres erythrourus

Diagnostic features
Body is deep, depth 2.0-2.3 in Standard lenth. Snout is somewhat spatulate withstrongly protractile mouth. The posterior process of the premaxillay reaches to opposite
the first third of the orbit. Preopercle is entire or finely serrated along its vertical limb.
Dorsal spines are strong, the second rather longer than the third and almost equal to
the length of the head, both rather curved. Pectoral fin is longer than the head lengthand reaching to anal fin. Five rows of scales are present in between the lateral line andthe base of the fifth dorsal spine. Body is silvery with indistinct longitudinal lines along
the scale rows on dorsal part. Dorsal fin is with black margin. Ventral and anal fins areyellow with white tips.
D. IX, 10; A. III, 7; P. 6-7; V. I, 5; Ll. 38-41.

Habitat
It is a marine or brackish species, generally reef-associated and oceanodromous inmigration.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: Madagascar to Australia, Vanuatu.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohanty et al. (2015) which wascollected from Parikud area in central sector. The species is locally known as Jagili
in Odia, occurs throughout the lagoon, abundantly in central and southern sectors.
The fish has good commercial value, sold @ Rs. 60-80/kg. The fishes used for local
consumption as well as traded to outside of the state. Target gears for the species
in Chilika are gill net, screen barrier (Khanda) and seine net.

234

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteGerres filamentosus Cuvier, 1829
Whipfin silver-biddy
Odia: Jagili

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gerreidae
Genus : Gerres
Species : Gerres filamentosus

Diagnostic features
The fish species has an oblong, elevated, moderately compressed and deep body. It
has a small mouth and the maxilla extends to below the front edge or first fourth ofthe orbit. Its body depth is 2.0-2.5 in standard length. Five or six fine rows of scales
between the lateral line and base of the dorsal sheath. The predorsal distance is equal
to or less than the body depth. Second dorsal spine is long and filamentous. Body
colour is silvery, sides with 8-10 vertical series of ovoid bluish spots. Snout is black, ananterior black spot on base of each dorsal spine and ray. Caudal fin grayish and otherfins yellow with numerous fine dots on the fin membrane.
D. IX, 10; A. III, 7-8; P. 16; V. I, 5; Ll. 44-47.

Habitat
It is found in freshwater to marine habitat; demersal in nature and amphidromous inmigration.

Distribution
Distribution is Indo-Pacific: East Africa and Madagarcar to Japan and Australia.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1923) which wascollected from Satapada area of outer channel. The species is locally known as
Jagili in Odia, occurs throughout the lagoon and major catch comes from central
and southern sectors. The fish is commercially important, sold @ Rs. 60-80/kg. The
fishes used for local consumption as well as traded to outside of the state. Target
gears for the species in Chilika are gill net, screen barrier (Khanda) and seine net.
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Gerres limbatus Cuvier, 1830
Saddleback silver-biddy
Odia: Jagili

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gerreidae
Genus : Gerres
Species : Gerres limbatus

Diagnostic features
Scales between 5th dorsal fin spine base and lateral line 2.5-3 (usually 2.5). Second anal fin
spine more robust than 3rd. Premaxillary groove without scales. Posterior margin of maxilla
beyond a vertical through anterior margin of inner dermal eye opening. Diffused dark saddle patches along the back of live specimens 4 or 5: 1st saddle on nape; 2nd under second
to 6th or 7th dorsal fin spine; 3rd beneath anterior soft part of dorsal fin; 4th beneath posterior soft part of dorsal fin; 5th on 1/3 upper caudal peduncle (or extending onto upper
caudal peduncle or absent). Dorsal fin faint yellowish, with a dark patch on tip of spinous
portion above a line running from middle of second dorsal spine to tip of 6th dorsal spine(rarely broader or otherwise indistinct with growth). Caudal fin pale yellow (often with adusky trailing edge). Anal fin with anterior half yellow or dull orange, posterior whitish hyaline (Rarely dusky). Pectoral fins yellowish color, grading to hyaline at the tip. Pelvic fins
yellow or dull orange (hyaline in Thai and Indonesian specimens). Supraneural bones 3.

HabitatMarine; brackish; demersal; amphidromous.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: India and Sri Lanka to southeast Asia and the South China Sea. Reported
in Iran.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohanty et al. (2015). The species islocally known as Jagili in Odia. Landing of this fish being much less in volume, is mixed
with the landing of G. setifer. A good food fish and high in demand as for G. setifer.
Mostly captured from central and southern sector of Chilika, marketed fresh locallyand sold @ Rs.100/kg. Gill net, screen barrier (Khanda) and seine net are the targeted
gears for the species in Chilika.

236

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteGerres macracanthus Bleeker, 1854
Longspine silver-biddy
Odia: Jagili

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gerreidae
Genus : Gerres
Species : Gerres macracanthus

Diagnostic features
The fish species has an oblong, moderately compressed and deep body. It has a small
and protractile mouth and the maxilla extends to below the front edge or first fourthof the orbit. Its body depth is 2.3-2.4 in standard length. Head and body fully covered
with scales. Five or six fine rows of scales between the lateral line and base of the dorsal
sheath. The predorsal distance is equal to or less than the body depth. Second dorsal
spine is long but not filamentous. Body colour is silvery, sides with a series of verticalbars on back and sides of body. Snout is black, an anterior black spot on base of eachdorsal spine and ray. Caudal fin grayish and other fins yellow with numerous fine dotson the fin membrane.
D. IX, 10; A. III, 7; P. 15-16; V.I, 5; Ll. 42-44.

Habitat
The fish species dwells in marine to brackish region, demersal in habit.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific, Red Sea to East Africa to Indonesia and New
Guinea.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Jones & Sujansingani (1954). The

species is locally known as Jagili in Odia, mostly found in southern sector of Chilika
Lake, also occurs rarely in other sectors. The fish has good commercial value, sold
@ Rs 80-100/kg. The fish used both for local consumption. The species generallycaught in gill net and screen barrier net (Khanda).

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Gerres oyena (Forsskal, 1775)
Slender spine mojarra
Odia: Jagili

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gerreidae
Genus : Gerres
Species : Gerres oyena

Diagnostic features
The species has an oblong and slightly compressed body. The groove of the posterior
processes of the premaxillaries reaches to opposite the middle of the orbit. The maxilla
extends to below the first third of the orbit. Preopercle roughened along its verticallimb but not serrated. Depth of the body is 2.5-3 in standard length. Pectoral fin is long,extending beyond anal fin origin. Anterior part of dorsal fin elevated. Highest dorsal spine
is as long as head length excluding the snout. Second anal spine is strongest but shorter
than the third which equals half the length of the head. Body colour is olive above, silvery
grey below with a series of faint paired spots arranged in rows on sides. Margins of dorsal
and caudal fins are dusky.
D. X, 10; A. III, 7; P. 15-16; V. I, 5; LI. 35-41.

Habitat
The fish is a demersal species found in shallow coastal waters, estuaries and lagoons. It is amarine or brackish water fish; usually reef associated.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific. The potential areas are Red sea, east coast of Africa andSeas of India to the Malaya- Archipelago.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1923) which was collectedfrom Satapada area of outer channel. The species is locally known as Jagili in Odia,
occurs throughout the lagoon. The species is a commercially important fish, sold @ Rs
80-100/kg. The average sectoral yields are in order: central sector > southern sector >northern sector > outer channel sector. The fishes used for local consumption as wellas traded to outside of the state. Target gears for the species in Chilika are gill net, andscreen barrier net.

238

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteGerres phaiya Iwatsuki & Heemstra, 2001
Strong spined silver-biddy
Odia: Jagili

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gerreidae
Genus : Gerres
Species : Gerres phaiya

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7.
When fresh, upper surface of head and trunk silvery, golden-brown, grading to silver on
abdomen. Pelvic and anal fins yellow, first few rays of pelvic fin with a white distal margin or
whitish-hyaline posteriorly; caudal fin yellowish-dusky with slightly whitish lower margin
posteriorly, lobes usually broadly rounded posteriorly; dorsal and pectoral fins yellowishhyaline; trunk with approximately 6-10 vertical dusky bars (about half width of pupil
diameter), more apparent when stressed or when preserved. Number of scales between
the base of the 5th dorsal fin spine and lateral line 4-4.5. Second dorsal fin spine longest,
23-27% SL (mean 25%). Supraneural bones 3.

HabitatMarine; brackish; demersal. Tropical

Distribution
Western Indian Ocean: southwest coast of India; probably also in Bengal Bay and theAndaman Sea.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1923) in the previously
recorded name Gerres oyena which was collected from Satapada area of the outerchannel sector. The species is locally known as Jagili in Odia. The fish occurs in all four
sectors of the lake and forms a good commercial fishery being mixed with the silver
biddy group and average contribution to the silver biddy landings was estimatedat 8.25% (average annual landing being 14.4 tonnes). The fish is one of the popularand commercial fish species of Chilika Lake. The fish is generally marketed fresh andconsumed by local people.
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Gerres setifer (Hamilton, 1822)
Small Bengal Silver-biddy
Odia: Jagili

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gerreidae
Genus : Gerres
Species : Gerres setifer

Diagnostic features
Body oblong and slightly compressed, silvery and mouth small. Supraneural bones 2.
Last dorsal fin spine is longer than the penultimate spine, mean 1.17.

HabitatHabitat benthopelagic; amphidromous ; brackish; marine

Distribution
Indian Ocean: east coast of India and Sri Lanka. Reported from Bangladesh, Myanmar
and Thailand. Found predominantly in Hooghly estuaries and Chilika Lake.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from
Chilika by Chaudhuri (1923) which wascollected from Barkul Bay. The species islocally known as Jagili in Odia. In Chilika,
it is distributed throughout the lake, moreabundantly occur in the eastern zone ofsouthern sector. The fish breeds in thesouthern sector of the lake in the sandy
areas at the eastern end during MayAugust, June being the peak. The fish islanded in more quantity at Kalupadaghat
and Sorana landing centres in northern

240

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute

Fig Q Annual landings of G. setifer (Jagili)
during 2001-02 to 2016-17

sector and Balugaon in the central sector. It is a commercially important species
mostly marketed within the state. The average daily and annual landings of the
fish in Chilika are 14.6 and 175 tonnes respectively. It fetches an average unit priceof Rs.87/-kg at Chilika. The fish is generally caught in Chilika in Khandas, seine nets
and gill nets. Year wise annual landings for 16 years during the post-restoration
period (2001-02 to 2016-17) is depicted in Fig Q.
Fisheries and population of the fish in Chilika was studied during 1957-65 byJhingran and Natarajan (1966 & 1969). The biology of Chilika Jagili was studied by
Pattnaik (1971). Length-weight relationship of Chilika Jagili was studied by Karnaet al. (2010). The fish breeds in Chilika Lake during May-August with peak in Junearound the lake mouth area and in the southern sector of the lake in the shallow
sandy areas at the eastern end.

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Pomadasys argenteus (Forsskal, 1775)
Silver grunt
Odia: Kokoraba

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Haemulidae
Genus : Pomadasys
Species : Pomadasys argenteus

Diagnostic features
Body of the fish is ovate with head profile almost straight. Mouth is small but lips not
thickened. Two pores and a central groove under the chin present. Antrorse spine
before the dorsal fin origin is absent. Notch between the spinous and soft rayed
portion of the dorsal fin is shallow. Body is generally silver-mauve to fawn above andwhite below. Small specimens with numerous spots aligned horizontally or fused into
horizontal lines. Large specimens plain or with scattered charcoal scale spots on backand upper sides. The snout is dark brown; the upper operculum charcoal or purplish.
D. XII, 13-14; A. III, 7; P. 215; V. I, 5; C. 17; Ll. 50.

Habitat
The fish is marine to freshwater dwelling and demersal in nature.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea to the Philippines, north to southern
Japan and south to northern Australia. The fish is also reported from New Caledonia,
Oman and Kuwait.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Roy & Sahoo (1968) which wascollected from southern sector of the lake. The species is locally known as
Kokoraba in Odia. It occurs throughout the lagoon but more frequent in central
and northern sector than other two. The species is commercially important as it
sold @ Rs 80-150/kg. The fish is a good food fish; consumed locally. The main gears
that are used by fishermen, targeting the species are gill nets and screen barrier
nets.

242

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstitutePomadasys kaakan (Cuvier, 1830)
Javelin grunter
Odia: Kokoraba

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Haemulidae
Genus : Pomadasys
Species : Pomadasys kaakan

Diagnostic features
The fish has a slender body. The head profile is slightly convex. Lips are not thickened.
Two pores and a central groove under the chin is present. No antrorse spine present
before the dorsal fin origin. A deep notch between the spinous and the soft-rayed
portion of the dorsal fin is present. Color is generally silvery with a golden tint on thesides; the upper operculum olive-yellow; the snout dusky, overlain with yellow. Four orfive dark gray lines present along the sides. Young specimens have 7-11 vertical bandson the upper sides; older ones with bands formed by spots aligned in vertical rows.
Two or three rows of spots present along the dorsal fins.
D. XII, 13-15; A. III, 7-8. Ll. 45-50.

Habitat
The fish is a marine to brackish water species and usually reef-associated in habit.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and east coast of Africa to south-east Asia,
north to Taiwan, south to Queensland, Australia. Also reported from Persian Gulf

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007). The species

is locally known as Kokoraba in Odia. It occurs throughout the lagoon but
more frequent in central and outer channel sector. The species is commercially
important as it sold @ Rs 80-150/- kg. The fish is a good food fish; consumed locally.
The potential gears to target the species are gill nets and screen barrier nets. Its
landing is included in the brackishwater miscellaneous groups.

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Acanthopagrus berda (Forsskal, 1775)
Goldsilk seabream
Odia: Kala Khuranti

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sparidae
Genus : Acanthopagrus
Species : Acanthopagrus berda

Diagnostic features
The species has a convex dorsal profile but straight ventrally. The head is more convex
than abdomen. Snout is compressed and pointed. Opercle is with a distinct spine andpresence of a dark opercular spot. Six inscisors in front of either jaw found. Maxilla
reaches to front edge of orbit. Six rows of scales on pre-operculum; no silvery edges
to body scales.Caudal fin is emarginated. Body colour is silvery grey. Doral, anal andcaudal fins are with black edges. A dark band is present along its anal fin.
D. XI-XII, 11-12; A. III, 8-9; P. 15; V. I, 5.

Habitat
The species occur in marine, freshwater and brackishwater environments; demersal in
habits and exhibitsoceanodromous migration.

Distribution
The species is well distributed along Indian Ocean, South Africa, Mozambique, the Red
Sea, Persian Gulf, India and Malaysia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Roy & Sahoo (1962). The species islocally called as Kala Khuranti. The species mainly occurs in the outer channel
and central sector of the lagoon. The species is a good food fish, having highcommercial value. The fish generally consumed locally rather traded to out sideof the state. Price is mostly size dependent, sold @ Rs 120-300/- kg (at landing
center). Gill net, screen barrier net (khonda jal), hook and line are the major fishingnets in which the species caught.

244

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteAcanthopagrus longispinnis (Valenciennes, 1830)
Bengal yellowfin seabream
Odia: Kala Khuranti

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sparidae
Genus : Acanthopagrus
Species : Acanthopagrus longispinnis

Diagnostic features
It has a fairly deep and slightly compressed body. Depth more than 2.4 times in standard
length. Head is large, snout oblique with a bulge above eyes. Four to six canine teeths
present in front of both jaws. Pre-opercular scales are 4-5 series. Body dusky grey, belly
yellowish, scales with dark bases and silvery edges. A dark band is present between eyes
and a dark spot at origin of lateral line. The first soft dorsal fin ray is slightly longer than lastdorsal fin spine. Pelvic fins yellow, pectoral and anal fins dusky at base, yellow at margin,
lower caudal fin lobe yellow.
D. XI-XII, 10-12; A. III, 8-10; P. 14; V. I, 5; LI. 44-46.

Habitat
The species is demersal in habits found in marine, fresh and brackish water ecosystems.

Distribution
The species is distributed in Northwest Pacific and East Asia Shelf, recorded from India,
Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China and Northern Vietnam.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Roy and Sahoo (1962) who recorded thespecies as Chrysophrys dontnia which was collected from outer channel and central
sector of the lake. The species is locally known as Kala Khuranti in Odia. The species
mainly occurs in outer channel sector and rarely found in central and southern sectorof Chilika. The species is a good food fish, having high commercial values; consumed
locally. Price is size dependent, sold @ Rs 150-300/- kg at landing center. The fishcaught mostly in gill net, screen barrier net (khonda jal), hook and line (specifically inouter channel sector).

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Crenidens crenidens (Forsskål, 1775)
Karanteen seabream
Odia: Haribolia Khuranta

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sparidae
Genus : Crenidens
Species : Crenidens crenidens

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10.
Dull colored. Maximum length recorded 30.0 cm (TL) (Smith and Smith, 1986).

HabitatMarine; demersal. Subtropical.

Distribution
Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea and Persian Gulf to Durban, rarely as far as East London,
South Africa. Also reported from the southern coast of Madagascar. Migrated to theMediterranean through the Suez Canal.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Roy and Sahoo (1957) which wascollected from Parikuda area in the central sector. The species is locally known as
Haribolia Khuranta in Odia. This is a smaller size sparid fish (Perch), distributedin central, southern and outer channel and rarely caught from northern sector.
The fish is landed in more quantity at Balugaon fish landing centre and also in
the landing centres in Krushna Prasad area viz. Patanasi, Kumarpur, Kholamunha
etc. Although the fish has commercial value its landing is negligible which wasestimated at 0.09 tonne during 2016-17. The average unit price for the fish is
Rs.70/kg. The fish has also ornamental value which can be used in brackish wateraquarium.

246

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteRhabdosargus sarba (Forsskal, 1775)
Goldlined seabream
Odia: Dhala Khuranti

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sparidae
Genus : Rhabdosargus
Species : Rhabdosargus sarba

Diagnostic features
The fish has a deep body, the depth 2.0-2.3 in standard length. Head is large, about 4.0
in standard length. Inter-orbital and pre-opercle flange are naked or with few scales.
Caudal fin is deeply emarginated. Body is silvery grey. Each scale is with a golden
center form longitudinal lines along body. The belly is yellowish in colour.
D. XI, 12-13; A. III, 11; P. 14-15; V. I, 5; Ll. 56-59.

Habitat
It is a marine to brackish dwelling species usually reef-associated and oceanodromousin migration.

Distribution
It is distributed inIndo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Japan, China, andAustralia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which wascollected from Parikud area. The species is locally known as Dhala Khuranti
in Odia. The fish is abundantly found throughout the lagoon, average sectoral
landings are of the order central sector > northern sector > outer channel sector> southern sector. The average annual yield is 164.35 tonnes valued at Rs.212.76
lakhs. This is a commercially important fish species of the lake; consumed locallyas well as traded to outside the state. Its selling price is mainly size dependent,
sold @ 100-160/- kg. The species mostly caught in gill nets but also a major catch
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comes from screen barrier nets (Khanda jal). Year wise annual landings for 16 years
during the post-restoration period (2001-02 to 2016-17) is depicted in Fig R whichindicated that higher annual landings
were recorded after 2011-12. Maximum
size of the fish as recorded from Chilika
was 325 mm and its spawning season
extends from November to March withpeak in December. Breeds in the sea
near lake mouth.
Jhingran and Natarajan (1966) reported
the fishery of this fish from Chilika Lake
which showed extreme fluctuations
Fig R Annual landings of R. sarba (Dhala
khuranti) during 2001-02 to 2016-17
2-165 tonnes during 1957-65 with theaverage annual yield for the period
at 91 tonnes. The fish breeds in thesea, perhaps in the vicinity of the lake mouth during November-January, thepeak breeding month being December. Its fishery is more active in the outerchannel and southern sector. Panda (2013) studied the feeding biology and stock
assessment of the fish. Karna et al. (2010) studied its length weight relationship.
Some aspects of the fishery and biology of the fish was studied by Pattnaik (1973).

248

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteDaysciaena albida (Cuvier, 1830)
Bengal corvine
Odia: Borogo

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sciaenidae
Genus : Daysciaena
Species : Daysciaena albida

Diagnostic features
The species has an oblong body with rounded snout. The colour of the body is
generally grey, shading to silvery along the belly. Dark spots, in oblique rows along
scale rows occasionally present. Pectoral, pelvic and anal fins are yellowish, whereas
the axil of pectoral fin is black. The lower jaw is slightly projecting beyond the upper
jaw and the mouth is slightly inferior. A pair of small tapering barbels present on thechin. The caudal fin is rhomboid shaped in adults. Scales of the head are cycloid.
D. IX-X+I, 23-26; A. II, 7; P.17-18; V. I, 5; Ll. 48-51.

Habitat
The species is marine, brackish; benthopelagic in nature and amphidromous inmigration.

Distribution
The fish species is distributed is Asia and Oceania: India to Indonesia and New Guinea.
Very commonly found in Indian waters.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1923) which was collectedfrom Barkul area. The species is locally known as Borogo in Odia. The fish is locally
popular as Boroga (Odia) (>0.5 kg) or Pendi (0.25-0.5 kg) or Kania (<0.25 kg). It
occurs throughout the lake, average sectoral landings are of the order (Northern
sector > Central sector > Southern sector > Outer channel). Maximum size recorded
from the lake is 80cm. The average annual yield: 695.33 t (Average annual catch
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valuation is about Rs.867.86 lakhs). It
has high commercial value. It is mostly
exported to outside the state (mainly
to West Bengal) and very less quantity
sold locally. The unit price of the species
varies with fish size. It sold @ 150/- kg(up to 0.5 kg size), Rs.250-330/- kg (0.5
to 1 kg size), Rs. 400/- kg (1 to 2 kg size)
and Rs.450/- kg (above 2kg size). Locallythe fish consumed in fresh, dried andsalt dried forms. Main fishing gears Fig S Annual landings of D. albida (Borogo)during 2001-02 to 2016-17
used targeting this species are gill nets,
screen barrier nets (Khanda) and hook
& line. The fish performs lake – sea and vice versa migration. No lake – sea or viceversa migration has been perceptible in this species. Year wise annual landingsfor 16 years during the post-restoration period (2001-02 to 2016-17) is depicted
in Fig S.
Fisheries and population of the fish in Chilika was studied during 1957-65 byJhingran and Natarajan (1966 & 1969). The stock assessment study was conductedby ICAR-CIFRI (2017) under ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZMP Consultancy Research Project
which indicated that the mean length in commercial catches was lower than thesize at maturity and the annual catch showed progressive decline. The spawning
stock biomass has decline to 19.1% from the virgin stock biomass resulting in low
recruitment. Length weight relationship of the fish was studied by ICAR-CIFRI(2017) under ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZMP Consultancy Research Project. Breeding andearly development of the fish was studied by Kowtal (1978). Growth estimationand length at maturity of the fish was studied by Karna and Panda (2011).

250

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteDendrophysa russelii (Cuvier, 1829)
Goatee croaker
Odia: Golora

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sciaenidae
Genus : Dendrophysa
Species : Dendrophysa russelii

Diagnostic features
The species has an oblong body with rounded snout. Mouth is inferior with presence of asingle barbel on chin. In the lower arm of first gill arch around 8 to 9 gill rackers are present.
The spinous dorsal fin is dark while the other fins are pale. The caudal fin is rhomboid inshape. Scales present are cycloid on front part of head and lower parts of dorsal and anal
fins. Gasbladder is carrot-shaped with 15-17 pairs of arborescent appendages present of
which the first one entering head. The colour of the body is generally grey, shading to whitealong the belly.
D. X+I, 25-28; A. II, 7; P. 16; V. I, 5; Ll. 46-49.

Habitat
The species is marine, brackish; benthopelagic in nature and amphidromous in migration.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific distribution i.e., Australia, India and Sri Lanka extending eastward, including
southern China, Philippines.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1923) which was collectedfrom Barkul area. The fish is locally called as Golara. It occurs throughout the lake
but major catch comes from northern sector. The average annual yield: 28.15 tonnes(Average annual catch valuation is Rs.13.93 lakhs). It is a commercially important fish
species. The average unit price is Rs. 80-100/kg. Locally consume it in fresh, dried andsalt dried forms. Main fishing gears used targeting this species is gill nets, screen barriernets (Khanda jal) and hook & line.

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Johnius amblycephalus (Bleeker, 1855)
Bearded croaker
Odia: Dadhi Borei

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sciaenidae
Genus : Johnius
Species : Johnius amblycephalus

Diagnostic features
The species has an oblong and compressed body. Snout is rounded and projectingwith inferior mouth. Body depth 3.0-3.7 and head is 3.1-3.4 in standard length. A
blunt barbell is present on chin with median mental pore at front of its base. Caudal
fin is rhomboid. Gas-bladder is hammer shaped with 14-15 pairs of arborescentappendages, the first branching head.
D. X+I, 23-26; A. II, 7; P. 18-19; V. I, 5; Ll. 48-53.

Habitat
The species found in freshwater to marine water bodies; demersal in nature.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: east of Pakistan through the coastal waters of the Indian Ocean andthe Indo-Australian Archipelago to the Philippines, New Guinea and to the Repulse
Bay, Queensland; through the South China Sea to Hainan, Taiwan, Hong Kong andKwangtung.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Menon (1961) which was collectedfrom northern sector. The species is locally known as Dadhi Borei in Odia. It occurs
throughout the lake but is not so abundant. It has good commercial value sold @80-100/kg. Locally consumed in fresh, dried and salt dried forms. Marketed locally.
Its catch in Chilika is mixed with the miscellaneous brackishwater group. Main
fishing gears used targeting this species are gill nets, screen barrier nets (Khanda)
and hook & line.

252

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteJohnius belangerii (Cuvier, 1830)
Belanger’s croaker
Odia: Dhusara Sila

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sciaenidae
Genus : Johnius
Species : Johnius belangerii

Diagnostic features
Overall body colour dark grey, sometimes the pigment concentrated in short dark bars
on back. 27-31 soft rays; 2nd spine strong, about ½ of head length; 8-10 very short gillrakers on lower limb of 1st arch; teeth differentiated into large and small in upper jaw
only, the large ones close-set, not canine-like; swimbladder hammer-shaped, with 1115 pairs of appendages.
Color: Brown to grayish above, silvery below as also head. With longitudinal obliquely
ascending rows of dark spots on scales, regular on back, less so on flanks, more
pronounced in a full grown specimens, in younger specimens the scales are so closely
dotted with black and brown as to impart a general pale brownish appearance, spinous
dorsal, anal, ventrals and terminal half of caudal blackish.
Oblong, posteriorly compressed, height in adult about equal to head. Its fronto-dorsal
profile ascending nearly in astraight line. Snout obtuse, convex, somewhat swollen,
prominent before upper jaw, its free border with a central pore, on each side two
incisions, the lateral one deepest, both separating a small triangular lobe, between
then two smaller ones, making the center of the upper lip quadrilobate, above it
on top of snout a transverse series of three small pores, chin with five pores. Cleft ofinferior mouth nearly horizontal, lower jaw included, upper reaching hind border of
pupil, upper border of maxillary slipping under suborbital, its distal end broader thanhalf length of pupil. Teeth in villi form bands, in the lower jaw uniform, in the upprt
the outer row enlarged and distant. Operculum with two flat weak spines, preopercle
serrulate at its vertical limb, post temporal crenulate. Scales wanting only on apexof snout and jaws, round eye, on opercles and on base of vertical fins not ciliated,otherwise ciliated, the nuchal and anterior dorsal ones smaller, lateral line in its anterior
half arched, the sensory tubes arbores cent.

HabitatMarine; brackish; demersal; amphidromous. Inhabits coastal waters and estuaries.
Feeds on invertebrates, particularly benthic worms.

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Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, through the East Indies, to China. Records
from the east coast of Africa were probably based on misidentifications as this species
does not occur there. Range extends westwards to the Persian Gulf.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which was collectedfrom eastern part of northern sector. The species is locally known as Dhusara Silain Odia. The fish rarely occurs in the outer channel and northern sector of Chilika at
sub-adult stage and the annual landing is much less and hence is mixed with thelanding of D. russelli. Common fishing gears are gill nets and barrier nets. Marketed
fresh and dried salted in the local markets. This is a good food fish liked by local
people.

254

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteJohnius borneensis (Bleeker, 1851)
Sharp-noose hammer croaker
Odia:

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sciaenidae
Genus : Johnius
Species : Johnius borneensis

Diagnostic features
A fairly small species with an evenly decurved snout which is not swollen or projecting.
Mouth is large and terminal; upper jaw slightly overshooting lower jaw in front andending posteriorly below hind margin of pupil, making an angle of about 30° withthe horizontal. Teeth villiform in narrow bands; well differentiated in size in both jaws,
outer upper row and lower inner row of enlarged and widely spaced teeth. Dorsal fin
deeply notched; dorsal spines moderately weak. Pectoral fins moderately long andabout 3/4th of the head length. Second anal spine short and fairly weak. Caudal fin
rhomboid. Body greyish on back and silvery, glossed with golden on flanks and belly.
Spinous dorsal fin dusky in its upper third; anal, pectoral and pelvic fins with a slightyellowish tinge.
D. X-XII, 27-32; A. II, 7-8; Ll. 50.

Habitat
It is a marine, brackish and freshwater ranging species; benthopelagic in habit. Thissciaenid inhabits shallow coastal waters and also enters estuaries.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf eastward to southern China and Taiwan and northernand northeastern Australia and New Guinea. It forms a fishery on the North-West coastof India and is also common in the catches on the East coast. In estuarine waters ofIndia; lower Gangetic estuary and Sundarbans.

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IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika Lake by ICAR-CIFRI while undertaking

fish diversity inventory survey in Chilika under ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZM Consultancy
Project (2011-2017) which was collected from the Satapada area and new lakemouth in the outer channel during March 2013. The fish is newly recorded fromthe lagoon and does not have much information specific to Chilika. It was caught
in gill nets and screen barrier nets (Khanda).

256

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteJohnius carutta Bloch, 1793
Karut croacker / Jew Fish
Odia: Borei / Patharamundi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sciaenidae
Genus : Johnius
Species : Johnius carutta

Diagnostic features
Color: Purplish brown from the presence of numerous fine dots, but becoming golden
in lower fourth of body, lateral line generally lighter than contiguous part. Headglossed with purple. First dorsal fin dark, the others with grey edges. A silvery streakalong the lateral line.
Height 3 1/2 to 4, head 4 1/3 to 4 1/2 in total length. Eye 4 to 5 1/4 in length of head,
1 1/4 from end of snout and also apart. Snout inflated, overhanging the upper jaw,
which slightly overlaps the lower, distance between eye and upper edge of maxilla
equals diameter of orbital, cleft of mouth nearly horizontal maxillary reaching 3/5 ineye, length 2 3/4 to 3 in head, 5 pores on chin. Preopercle crenulated, more especiallyalong its lower border, opercle with two weak spines. A row of pores across the snout,
5 along edge of free border, and a lateral lode. Teeth in jaws in villi form bands, only
upper row enlarged. Dorsal spine weak, second and third the longest, 1/3 higher thanrays and 1/2 height of body, outer ventral ray, elongate. Second anal spine weak, nearly
2/3 as high as first ray, and 2/7 to 2/5 length of head. Caudal rhomboidal, least heightof caudal peduncle 3 1/2 to 3 4/5 in head. The series of scales run rather obliquely
upward both above and below the lateral line. White or yellow streak along lateralline. Upper 2/3 of dorsal fin black. The membrane of the soft dorsal is inconspicuously
scaled nearly or quite to its outer edge. DOB 27-32 %, snout rounded, mouth small,inferior. HL 26-30 %, ED 27-28 %. Teeth differentiated into large and small in upper jaw
only, larger ones closely set, lower jaw teeth small, no canines, gill rakers in the lower
limb of Ist gill arch 7-8, IInd AFS weak 7-10 %. Sagitta: head of the tadpole shaped
impression lying parallel to that of the broad anterior end, tail ending into a deepcone. Swim bladder hammer shaped with 16 pairs of arborescent appendages, the Ist
entering the head. Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-29; Anal spines:
2; Anal soft rays: 7
Breeds in rainy season and winter season.

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HabitatMarine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous

Distribution
Indian Ocean: Pakistan eastward to the west coast of the Malay Peninsula.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007) which wascollected from Tuanali in Northern Sector. The species is locally known as Borei/ Patharamundi in Odia. The species is one among the fifteen species under
Sciaenidae family recorded from Chilika Lake. Annual average landing of thisspecies is 10.7 tonnes and forms 38% in the average annual landings of sciaenid
species (Dendrophysa russelli). This is a commercially important sciaenid species
which is popular among local consumers, Marketed fresh and dried salted.
Common fishing gears are gill nets and barrier nets.

258

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteJohnius macropterus (Bleeker, 1853)
Largefin croaker
Odia: Kania

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sciaenidae
Genus : Johnius
Species : Johnius macropterus

Diagnostic features
The species has elongated body. Its snout is slightly projecting; mental pores five; ashort blunt barbell behind the median pore.It has 10-12 gill rakers on lower arm of firstarch.The scales are cycloid on snout below eyes and on breast. Gas-bladder is hammer-shaped with 13-16 pairs of arborescent appendages, the first branching in head.
Body colour is dark grey on back, whitish on flanks and belly with silvery reflections;spinous dorsal darkish.
D. X+I, 27-33; A. II, 7-8; P. 14-16; V. I, 5; Ll. 44-50.

HabitatThis is a marine species, demersal in habit.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: India and Sri Lanka eastward to Thailand and Malaysia and south to New Guinea.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Menon (1961). The species is locallyknown as Kania in Odia. The fish is rarely found in the lagoon, distributed incentral and outer channel sector. It has good commercial value having average
unit price of Rs.80/kg. Locally, consumed in fresh, dried and salt dried forms. Main
fishing gears used targeting this species is gill nets, screen barrier nets (Khanda)
and hook & line.

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Eleutheronema tetradactylum (Shaw, 1804)
Fourfinger threadfin
Odia: Sahala

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Polynemidae
Genus : Eleutheronema
Species : Eleutheronema tetradactylum

Diagnostic features
The fish has an elongated and compressed body. The snout is of projecting type withlarge mouth. Lower lip reduced to a small fold at corner of mouth. Teeth present
are extending to exterior of jaws. Pectoral fins are positioned and inserted low onbody, with branched rays whose lower four rays are free and filamentous. Caudal fin
forked. Air-bladder is absent. Body is silvery green above, yellowish white on sides
and abdomen. Dorsal and caudal fins are yellowish but dusky at margins. Pectoral
filamentous rays are white.
D.VIII+I-II, 13-15; A.II, 15-17; P. 12-15+4; V.I, 5; Ll. 75-85.

Habitat
It is a freshwater, brackish as well as marine dwelling species, pelagic-neritic in habit
and amphidromous in migration.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf to Papua New Guinea and northern Australia.
Bangladesh, China, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand. In India it is distributed in West
Bengal (Hoogly estuary), Odisha and Andamans.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)260

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1917) which was collectedfrom Barkul Bay. The species is locally known as Sahala in Odia. Abundantly found
and well distributed throughout thelagoon. Average annual yield is about
313.39 tonnes (Average annual catchvaluation about Rs.871.83 lakhs).
Maximum size recorded from the lake
is 100cm. It has very high commercial
value. Unit price mostly depending onfish size, sold @ Rs 120/- kg (up to 0.2kg), Rs 200/- kg (0.2-0.5 kg), Rs 350/- kg(> 0.5 kg) in landing center. Consumed
locally both in fresh and salt-dried
Fig T Annual landings of E. tetradactylum(Sahala) during 2001-02 to 2016-17
form. The fish targeted by fishermen
through gill nets (Sahala jal of 40-90
mm meshed), seine nets and screen
barrier net (Khonda). Average sectoral landings are of the order: Northern sector> Central sector > Southern sector > Outer channel sector). The fish breeds in thesea as well as the lake and performs inter sea-lake movements. Annual landingsof this fish for the last 16 years (2001-02 to 2016-17) after opening of the new lakemouth is depicted in Fig T.
Fisheries and population of the fish in Chilika was studied during 1957-65 byJhingran and Natarajan (1966 & 1969). The stock assessment and length weight
relationship of E. tetradactylum in Chilika study was studied by ICAR-CIFRI (2017)
under ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZMP Consultancy Research Project which indicated thataround 88% of fishes were caught before attaining the first maturity which clearly
indicated overexploitation of juveniles (growth over fishing in Chilika). The current
spawning stock biomass was around 10.27 of the virgin stock which is below thesustainable stock level. Fishery and biology of Chilika Sahala was also studied
by Pattnaik (1970) and hermaphroditesm in Chilika Sahala was also reported by
Pattnaik (1967). Breeding and larval development of Chilika Sahala in the northern
sector of Chilika was reported by Kowtal (1965 & 1972).

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Upeneus sulphureus Cuvier, 1829
Sulphur goatfish
Odia: Gopi Rangia

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Mullidae
Genus : Upeneus
Species : Upeneus sulphureus

Diagnostic features
The fish has an elongated body; mouth in front of snout, rather small and with a lateralcleft. Teeth in a single row in both jaws present. Palate is edentulous. The maxilla reaches tobelow the first third of the orbit. Barbels reach to opposite the posterior edge of the orbit
in the young ones, but to nearly below the angle of the preopercle in the adults. First dorsal
spine is very small, the third a little longer than the second or the fourth. Six rows of scales
are present between the two dorsal fins. Origin of anal fin is below the second or third
dorsal ray. A purplish blotch is present on the opercle descending on to the sub opercle. A
brilliant golden stripe, two third as wide as a scale passes from the orbit to the upper thirdof the tail, there are generally two or three more below and parallel with it.
D. VIII, 9; A. I, 7; P.15; Ll. 35-38.

Habitat
The fish is a marine to brackish water dwelling species; demersal in habit and oceanodromousin migration.

Distribution
The fish is distributed inIndo-West Pacific: East Africa to south-east Asia, north to China,
south to northern Australia and Fiji.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Satapathy and Panda (2009). The species
is locally known as Gopi Rangia in Odia. The fish is a migratory species having good
ornamental value (marine ornamental fish), occur mainly in outer channel and central
sector of Chilika. It has not so commercial value considered as a minor fish in Chilika,
sold @ Rs 50-60/- kg in landing center. Its catch is included in the miscellaneous groupin Chilika. There are no specific gears used for the species rather caught mostly inscreen barrier net (Khanda).

262

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteDrepane punctata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Spotted sicklefish
Odia: Ghee Chandi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Drepaneidae
Genus : Drepane
Species : Drepane punctata

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 8 - 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-22; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft
rays: 17 - 19. Color generally silvery with greenish tinge above. Pectoral fins long andpointed. Similar to D. longimana but differs in having 4 - 11 vertical gray spots on
the upper half of the sides, and generally 8 dorsal spines (against none (spots) andgenerally 9 spines in D. longimana).

HabitatMarine; brackish; reef-associated; amphidromous; Subtropical, preferred 28°C; 32°N 22°S.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: temperate and tropical waters from India to northern Australia, New
Guinea, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Japan.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which was collectedfrom Arakhakuda in the outer channel. The species is locally known as Ghee
Chandi in Odia. In Chilika, it is commonly caught from outer channel sector andrarely from central sector. The fish does not forms a commercial fishery in the lake
although it has good commercial value with consumer preference. The potential
landing centres for the fish are Arakhakuda, Motto, Sanapatana, Alupatana etc in
the outer channel sector. The landing of this fish is included in the brackishwater
miscellaneous group. The average unit price is Rs.120/-kg.

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Monodactylus argenteus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Silver moony
Odia: Rupali Chandi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Monodactylidae
Genus : Monodactylus
Species : Monodactylus argenteus

Diagnostic features
Body is deep and compressed with body depth 1.2-1.5 in SL. Its mouth is small andterminal. Scales on the body are deciduous and extending onto head and median fins.
Lobs of dorsal and anal fins are prolonged; ventral fins rudimentary, reduced to a small
spine. Juveniles silvery with two curved dark striped across head, the first through eye
and the second from nape through base of pectoral to before anal fin. Anterior lobesof dorsal and anal fins are dusky. All fins yellow except pectoral translucent. Adults are
silvery, the anterior lobes of dorsal and anal fin dusky.
D. VII-VIII, 28; A. III, 28-30; P. 16; Ll. 54-56.

Habitat
The species is marine, brackish and freshwater dwelling; pelagic-neritic in nature.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to the
Yaeyamas, south to New Caledonia and Australia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1923) who collected

the fish from central sector near Parikud. The species is locally known as Rupali
Chandi in Odia. This is a migratory species immigrates from sea into the lake andrarely occurs in outer channel sector of Chilika and Palur canal. It has not muchcommercial value, sold @ Rs 70-100/- per kg. Used for local consumption. It hasvery good ornamental value for utilizing in aquarium. The potential gears for the
species are gill nets and screen barrier net (Khanda).

264

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteMonodactylus kottelati Pethiyagoda, 1991
Indo-Pacific tarpon/Silver moony
Odia: Chandi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Monodactylidae
Genus : Monodactylus
Species : Monodactylus kottelati

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28-30; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays:
28 - 30. Body depth contained 0.98-1.03 times in standard length in adults. Pelvic fin
rudimentary or absent. Maximum length recorded 10.0cm (SL) (Bruin et al, 1994).

HabitatMarine; brackish; pelagic-neritic.

Distribution
Indian Ocean: Sri Lanka.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2014). The species

is locally known as Chandi in Odia. The fish is an important ornamental fish ofmarine and brackish water origin but does not form a commercial fishery in Chilika.
It is rarely seen in the lake being caught in the Khandas in the outer channel andsouthern sectors.

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Nandus nandus (Hamilton, 1822)
Gangetic leaffish / Mud perch
Odia: Bodisi / Olostora / Bhutusi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Nandidae
Genus : Nandus
Species : Nandus nandus

Diagnostic features
A deep laterally compressed body with nearly straight belly and arched back. Headis large and compressed. Snout is pointed. Eyes are comparatively large in smaller
specimens. Body colour is greenish brown. Three yellow-green or olive green coloured
vertical patchy bands at sides. Fins greenish to yellowish, some narrow dark bands
radiate from eye. Dorsal spines strong and soft portion largest, caudal fin slightly
rounded, pectoral spine weak, scales ctenoid, lateral line interrupted. Scales number
above lateral line is 8. Lateral line interrupted at 39-41 scales. Lateral line continued
below for 14-16 scales. Scales number in longitudinal series is 48 to 50. Scales number
mentioned by writers are lateral line interrupted at 35 or 39 or 41 scales, continued
below for 14-16 scales up to base of caudal, 8 row of scales between lateral line andorigin of spinous dorsal, 46-57 scales in longitudinal series. Maximum length recorded
20.0 cm (TL) (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991).

HabitatFreshwater; brackish; benthopelagic.

Distribution
Asia: Pakistan to Thailand.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)266

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The freshwater species was first reported from Chilika by Bhatta et al. (2001)
which was collected from Kalupadaghat in the northern sector. The species islocally known as Bodisi / Olostora / Bhutusi in Odia. It breeds in the river Dayaand descends into northern sector of the lake. Landing of this fish in Chilika is
negligible and its distribution is restricted within the river mouth zone of northern
sector, particularly near the mouth of Daya River. Often the fish is caught near
Bhusandapur, Mangalajodi and Kalupada landing centres. The fish is used as a
freshwater ornamental fish in freshwater aquarium and breeds in rivers draining
into northern sector. The average selling price of this food fish is about Rs.50/kg. Its
estimated annual landing of this species is about 2.5 tonnes.

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Pelates quadrilineatus (Bloch, 1790)
Fourlined terapon
Odia: Kora Gahana

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Terapontidae
Genus : Pelates
Species : Pelates quadrilineatus

Diagnostic features
It has oblong and laterally compressed body. Jaws equal, posterior margin of upper
jaw extending to vertical line through posterior nostril; teeth brown tipped, 2 rows inlower jaw and 3 rows or a villiform band with outer row of upper jaw enlarged in upper
jaw; vomer and palatines (on roof of mouth) toothless. Preopercle is serrate, serrations
larger along vertical border. Lower opercular spine is stronger and longer, but notextending beyond margin of opercular lobe. Gill with 16-18 gill rakers on upper limb
and 22-27 gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch. Spinous part of dorsal fin arched,fifth to seventh spines longest. Anal fin with 3 spines and 9-11 soft rays, the 2nd anal
spine subequal to the 3rd and shorter than longest anal rays. Pored scales in lateralline and 9-11 rows of scales are above lateral line and 19-23 below it. Body silvery-grey
dorsally, silvery-white ventrally; 4 to 6 narrow, dark brown stripes on body; spiny partof dorsal fin and behind gill opening with blotches; mouth and gill cavity red in life.
D. XII-XIII, 9-11; A. III, 9-10; Ll. 66-75.

HabitatFound in marine to brackish inshore waters; usually reef-associated.

Distribution
Widespread in the Indo-Pacific from East Africa, including the Red Sea and Persian Gulf,
eastwards to the Philippines, Japan, and China to New South Wales and the Solomon
Islands.

268

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteIUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specificThis ray fish was first recorded from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968) which was collectedfrom outer channel near Arakhakuda village. The species is locally known as Kora
Gahana in Odia. The species mostly found in outer channel sector and central
sector of the lake. Its catch being negligible, it is included in the miscellaneousbrackishwater fish group in commercial landing. Consumed locally and sold in thelocal village markets. Sold @ Rs. 50-60/kg at landing sites of Chilika. Caught withall types of inshore fishing gears including gill nets, screen barrier net (Khanda)
and seine nets.

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Terapon jarbua (Forsskal, 1775)
Jarbua terapon
Odia: Gahana

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Terapontidae
Genus : Terapon
Species : Terapon jarbua

Diagnostic features
The body is deep and compressed. Mouth is slightly oblique and its upper jaw (maxillary)reaches vertical through anterior pupil indicating an adult fish. In case of juveniles, themaxillary reaches vertical through front edge of eye. Teeth are conical, strong and slightly
curved. The outer row of teeth is much enlarged. 14 gill rakers are present on lower arm offirst arch. Body color is fawn above, cream below, nape dark; head, body and fins with andiridescent sheen. Three or four curved dark brown bands run from the nape to the hindpart of the body, the lowermost continuing across the middle of the caudal fin. Dorsal fin isnotched. Caudal fin is emarginated. Body is covered with small scales.
D. XI-XII, 9-11; A. III, 7-10.

Habitat
The species dwells in marine, brackish and freshwater environments; demersal in natureand catadromous in migration.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to southern Japan, south to theArafura Sea, Australia and Lord Howe Island.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1923). The species is locallyknown as Gahana in Odia. The fish is a migratory species for Chilika, is well distributed
throughout the lake but abundant in south-east part of the lake. Average annual yieldis nearly 42 tonnes. Commercially important species, used for local consumption, sold
@ Rs 70-100/- per kg. It has ornamental value, caught through gill net, screen barrier
net (khonda) and seine net.

270

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteTerapon puta Cuvier, 1829
Small-scaled terapon
Odia: Gahana

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Terapontidae
Genus : Terapon
Species : Terapon puta

Diagnostic features
It has deep and compressed body. Mouth is slightly oblique and its upper jaw(maxillary) reaches vertical through anterior pupil indicating an adult fish. In juveniles,
the maxillary reaches vertical through front edge of eye. Teeth are conical, strong andslightly curved. The outer row of teeth is much enlarged. Gills with 14 gill rackers on its
lower arm of first arch. Dorsal fin is notched. Caudal fin is emarginated. Body is covered
with small scales.
D. XI-XII, 9-11; A. III, 7-10.

Habitat
The species dwells in marine, brackish and freshwater environments; benthopelagic innature and shows amphidromous migration.

Distribution
Distributed in Indo-West Pacific region: Northern Indian Ocean and the Indo-AustralianArchipelago.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1923). The species islocally known as Gahana in Odia. The fish is a resident species, well distributed
throughout the lake and breeds within the lake. Average annual yield is about 30
tonnes (average annual catch valuation is more than 10 lakhs INR). Commercially
important species, used for local consumption, sold @ Rs 80-100/- per kg. It has
ornamental value, caught through gill net, screen barrier net (khonda), seine net.
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271

Terapon theraps Cuvier, 1829
Largescaled terapon
Odia: Gahana

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Terapontidae
Genus : Terapon
Species : Terapon theraps

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays:
7 - 9. Body oval, compressed, robust. Lower opercular spine extending well beyond theopercular flap. Post-temporal bone exposed posteriorly and serrate. Color is dusky green
above, white below; body, head and fins with an iridescent sheen. Four longitudinal brown
stripes extend on the upper side from the head. A large prominent black blotch is on the
distal end of the spinous portion of the dorsal fin. Similar brown stripes run across thecaudal fin. Maximum length recorded 30.0 cm (SL) (Heemstra, 1986).

HabitatMarine; freshwater; brackish; reef-associated.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: East Africa, Madagascar, Seychelles, Red Sea, Arabian Peninsula, Persian
Gulf to India and Andaman Islands; and southeast Asia. Reaches south to the Arafura Sea
and northern Australia.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Talwar and Kacker (1984). The species islocally known as Gahana in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is found mostly in the outerchannel and south eastern part of southern sector, particularly between Kumarpur to
Parikud area. All terapontid species in Chilika are called locally as Gahana and the total
estimated annual landings of this group during 2016-17 was 97.34 tonnes of which T.
theraps was about 20 tonnes. The average selling price was Rs.60/kg. The annual catchvalue during 2016-17 was Rs.12.00 lakhs. The fish is a very good marine / brackishwaterornamental fish which are well maintained in the aquarium. In Chilika, the fish is locallyconsumed.

272

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteTaeniamia macroptera (Cuvier, 1828)
Dusky-tailed cardinalfish
Odia: Samudra Phulaguna

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Apogonidae
Genus : Taeniamia
Species : Taeniamia macroptera

Diagnostic features
The fish is large eyed and has a short, deep and compressed body, semi-transparent
in nature with orange tinged bands across the body. A black spot on the rear endof the caudal peduncle is a marked feature. Scales are large and ctenoid. First andsecond dorsal fins are completely separated. Scales on the lateral line series are 25 in
number. The suborbital portion of the infraorbital canal of the fish is highly perforated.
The medians of the secondary canal projections are also perforated along withthe margins. The lateral margins of the mandibular canal are highly branched andperforated. Double edged preopercle, whose posterior edge is completely serrated
and ventral edge serrated on posterior half. Cheek and top of the head have numerous
small dusky spots.
D. VI+I, 9; P. 13-15; A. II, 13-15; Ll. 25+3-5.

Habitat
It is a marine reef associated species commonly occur in shallow waters of 2-20 m
depth.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mukherjee et al. (2016). The species

is locally known as Samudra Phulaguna. The fish does not form a fishery in thelake but is important from the ichthyofunal diversity point of view.

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273

Etroplus suratensis (Bloch, 1790)
Pearlspot
Odia: Kundala

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Cichlidae
Genus : Etroplus
Species : Etroplus suratensis

Diagnostic features
The fish has an elevated and compressed body and rounded abdomen. Head ismoderate and compressed with terminal thin lipped mouth and small cleft. Snout
is spout like with lateral large eye located at middle of head, not visible from below
ventral surface. Villiform teeth in two or three rows on jaws present. Dorsal fin inserted
above level of base of pectoral fin and caudal fin emarginated. Body light green witheight vertical bands; scales above the lateral line with pearly white spot. Pectoral fins
yellowish with jet black base.
D. XVIII-XIX, 9-14; A. XII-XIII, 11-12; P. 17; V. I, 5; Ll. 35-40.

Habitat
It is a brackish water species but can range up to freshwater region; Benthopelagic in
habit.

Distribution
It is distributed in Western Indian Ocean: Coastal regions of peninsular India and Sri
Lanka. In India, the wild populations have been recorded from Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
There are also populations in West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Goa.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)274

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Jones and Sujansingani (1954)

which was collected from Kalupadaghat area. The adult species is locally known
as Kundala in Odia and the juveniles
are called as Chopi. This is one of
the resident species of Chilika Lakeand endemic to the lake at theregional level. It occurs throughout
the lagoon, maximum size recorded
from the lake is 30.5 cm. It breeds
round the year, December-Februaryand April-May are the peak breeding
seasons. It breeds mostly along thewestern shore in weedy areas andFig U Annual landings of E. suratensis(Kundala) during 2001-02 to 2016-17
Nalabana area in the central sector
is a potential breeding habitat for
the fish. It is abundantly caught
in northern, central and southern sectors. Average annual yield is about 200.15
tonnes forming nearly 2% of the average annual landing. Average annual catchvalue of this cichlid fish is Rs.401.68 lakhs. It has high commercial value, good food
fish, consumed locally and traded to outside the state especially to Kerala andTamil Nadu where the average unit price realized ranges from Rs.300-350/kg. Local
average unit price @ Rs 70-80/kg (small sized), Rs 170-180/- (medium sized) andRs 200-250/- (larger sized). Fishermen used gill nets and screen barrier (Khanda)
for commercial harvest. Average sectoral landings are of the order (Central sector> Northern sector > Southern sector > Outer channel sector). Presently, the fish
is under the pressure of over fishing at present. The annual landings of this fish
during the post-restoration period (2001-02 to 2016-17) is depicted in Fig U.
Fisheries and population of the fish in Chilika was studied during 1957-65 byJhingran and Natarajan (1966 & 1969). ICAR-CIFRI (2017) under ICAR-CIFRI/CDAICZMP Consultancy Research Project studied the biology and fishery trend of the
fish during the period 2011-2016.

Chilika Development Authority

275

Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852)
Mozambique tilapia
Odia: Tilapia / Olla Kau

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Cichlidae
Genus : Oreochromis
Species : Oreochromis mossambicus

Diagnostic features
Body is elongate with rounded abdomen. Head profile is concave and a long snout. It
has a large terminal mouth nearly as wide as head with equal jaws and cleft extending
to below anterior border of eyes. Caudal fin is slightly rounded and not densely scaled.
Body is covered with cycloid scales. Lateral line is incomplete. Females and nonbreeding males are silvery grey with 2-5 mid-lateral blotches. Spiny part of dorsal fin
light with dark mottling. Soft dorsal, anal, caudal and pelvic fins are blackish. Indistinct
dark opercular spot is present.
D. XV-XVII, 10-12; A. III-IV, 7-12; Ll. 30-32.

Habitat
It is found in fresh and brackish water bodies; benthopelagic in habit and amphidromousin migration.

Distribution
It is distributed in Africa: Lower Zambezi, Lower Shiré and coastal plains from Zambezi
delta to Algoa Bay. It is mostly available in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

IUCN Status
Near Threatened (NT)276

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007). The species
is locally known as Tilapia or Olla Kau in Odia. The fish is a resident species
and its occurrence is restricted tosouthern-eastern part of the lake
between Parikud and Palur Bay (partof central and southern sectors).
The fish is not the native species ofthe lake which incidentally escaped
into the lake from some village
aquaculture ponds located in Krushna
Prasad Block sometime during mid
eighties. Although the fish was
occurring in the lake and forming
Fig V Annual landings of O. mossambicus
the fishery of the second cichlid
during 2001-02 to 2017-18
species since eighties it was firstreported by Mohapatra et al. (2007).
Average annual yield is 73.60 tonnes and average annual catchvaluation is Rs.35.33 lakhs. It has good commercial value, sold @Rs. 70-80/kg. Consumed locally in fresh condition. The target gear for the species
is gill net and screen barrier nets (Khanda). Average sectoral landings are in theorder (Central sector > Southern sector).

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277

Butis butis (Hamilton, 1822)
Duckbill sleeper
Odia: Gagibalakhera

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Eleotridae
Genus : Butis
Species : Butis butis

Diagnostic features
The fish has a cylindrical body. Head shape is elongated, broad and anteriorly depressed.
Serrated ridges present on head. The dorsal profile is rather concave from the occiput tothe snout. Lower jaw is longer than the upper. Eyes present are lateral and not prominent.
Cleft of mouth commences opposite the upper edge of the eye. Maxilla extends to below
middle of the eye. Interorbital space is scaled. Brownish body with a black blotch edged withscarlet at base of the pectoral fin. Fins are spotted. Anal papilla is distinct. Dark longitudinallines are present on body. Caudal fin is black with light margin dorsally, pectoral base with
1-2 black spots.
D. VII, 8; A. I, 8-9. Ll. 28.

Habitat
It is a marine to freshwater ranging species; demersal in habit and amphidromous inmigration.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to Fiji. Occurs is seas and estuaries of India.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first recorded from Chilika by Hora (1923) which was collected from
central sector of Chilika Lake. The species is locally known as Gagibalakhera in Odia.
The species is found rarely in Chilika, occurs in central and outer channel sector. This
species has less commercial value, sold among small fishes in bulk but is used as apotential species for ornamental purpose. Found in screen barrier net (Khanda).

278

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteEleotris fusca (Forster, 1801)
Dusky sleeper
Odia: Balakhera

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Eleotridae
Genus : Eleotris
Species : Eleotris fusca

Diagnostic features
The fish has a cylindrical body. Head is elongate, broad and depressed anteriorly. Lower
jaw is longer. The maxilla reaches to below the middle of the orbit. A preopercularspine is present. Angle of opercle armed with a short spine directed downward andforward, which usually becomes blunted with age. Scales extend to the snout, 48 rows
before the dorsal fin. Body is brown to shiny black, lighter on the abdomen, whichsometimes has a yellow tinge. Fins are spotted; horizontal bars on the dorsal finspresent, sometimes vertical ones on the caudal fins.9-10 gill rakers present on lower
part of first branchial arch.
D. VII, 7-9; A. I, 8; Ll. 59-68.

Habitat
It occurs in marine; freshwater; brackish water regions; demersal in habit andamphidromous in migration.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to French Polynesia.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Hora (1923). The species is locallyknown as Balakhera in Odia. The species occurs rarely in central and outer channel
sector of Chilika. This is a minor fish having little commercial value, sold @ Rs 4040/kg. Generally caught in screen barrier net (Khanda) and seine net.

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279

Eleotris melanosoma Bleeker, 1853
Broadhead sleeper
Odia: Balakhera

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Eleotridae
Genus : Eleotris
Species : Eleotris melanosoma

Diagnostic features
The fish species has a sub cylindrical body with oblong head. Eyes are lateral andnot prominent. No teeth present on the palate. Preopercle with a single downward
facing, curved, strong spine at its angle. Dorsal fins two in numbers are spinous andsometimes filamentous. Base of pectoral fins are slightly muscular. Ventral fins placed
close together but not united. Body colour is dark brown to black with longitudinallines. Fins are generally spotted in the young ones but black in large individuals.
D. VII, 8; A. I, 8.

Habitat
The species is freshwater, brackish as well as marine, demersal in nature andamphidromous in migration.

Distribution
It is distributed in Africa, Asia and Oceania: East Africa to Society Islands, north ofJapan, Vanuatu.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohanty et al. (2015). The species

is locally known as Balakhera in Odia. The species is found in outer channel andcentral sector of Chilika. This species has less commercial value, sold @ Rs 40-50/
kg. Commonly found in screen barrier net (Khanda) and seine net.

280

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteAcentrogobius masoni (Day, 1873)
Grey goby
Odia: Luni Baligirida

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gobiidae
Genus : Acentrogobius
Species : Acentrogobius masoni

Diagnostic features
The fish has slightly elongated body with bluntly rounded head. Cleft of mouth is
oblique, commencing opposite lower edge of the eye. The posterior extremity of themaxilla extends to below the middle of the orbit. Broad papillae on each side of chinpresent. No scales present on cheeks. Upper part of opercle has scales. Predorsal scales
count about 25. Body is olive with numerous blue spots on nape and behind pectoral
fin. Numerous wart like glands present along the opercle, nape and mandible. Caudal
fin is wedge shaped.
D. VI+I, 10-11; A. I, 9; P. 19; V.I, 5; C. 12; PD. 25.

Habitat
It is a tropical species that is demersal and amphidromous in nature. It occurs inbrackish and coastal marine waters.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indian Ocean: Bangladesh, Indo-Australian Archipelago and Thailand.
In India, it is recorded from Cochin backwaters and Chilika Lake.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Koumans (1941). The species islocally known as Luni baligirida in Odia and occurs in central and southern sectorof Chilika. This fish has less commercial value, sold @ Rs 40-50/- per kg. Generally,
the fish caught in screen barrier catch which is included in the misclleneous groupof brackishwater fishes.
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281

Drombus globiceps (Hora, 1923)
Big head goby
Odia: Gaji Baligirida

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gobiidae
Genus : Drombus
Species : Drombus globiceps

Diagnostic features
Shape of the body is elongate and slightly compressed. Snout is short and rounded.
The tongue is emarginated. Caudal fin is pointed. Eyes are large and about 3.3 times inhead length and are devoid of tentacles. Back and flanks are yellowish green and belly
reddish- yellow. Head and body are with brown spots. Body shows presence of pearl
like blue spots. First dorsal fin is with black spot behind the fifth ray. Second dorsal andcaudal fins are with a white stripe.
D. VI+I, 10; A. I, 9; P. 17. Ls. 26-27; PD. 7-8.

Habitat
It is a demersal fish, amphidromous in nature. It has been found to inhabit fresh,
brackish and marine waters.

Distribution
The species is well distributed in India, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Hora (1923). The species is locallyknown as Gaji Baligirida in Odia. The fish mainly occurs in Nalabana area ofcentral sector to Satapada and also found in northern sector of Chilika. It has lesscommercial value, sold @ Rs 40-50/kg. Commonly found in catch of screen barrier
net (Khanda) and seine net.

282

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteFavonigobius reichei (Bleeker, 1854)
Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby
Odia: Chitra Bali Chedhuan

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gobiidae
Genus : Favonigobius
Species : Favonigobius reichei

Diagnostic features
The species has an elongated body. Head is slightly depressed. Mouth is oblique witha prominent lower jaw. Maxilla extends to below anterior part of the eye. Cheeks andopercula naked; a narrow band of mucous canal running below eye to maxilla; two strong
canals longitudinally on cheek and one canal along posterior margin of pre-opercula.
predorsal scales 3, scale absent on remainder of headFirst dorsal fin elongated into afilament. Pectoral fin is shorter than head length. Caudal fin rounded. Body colour is green
above, lighter below; cheek and opercula with violet streaks; a violet stripe from eye overto lip to chin; dusky spots laterally on back. Second dorsal, pectoral and caudal fins are
spotted; dark stripe on the lower base of pectoral.
D. VII, 8; A. I, 7-8.

Habitat
It is Marine; freshwater; brackish dwelling species, demersal and amphidromous in habit.
This species generally inhabits the mangrove creeks and lagoons.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to the Philippines, north to Japan, south tonorthern Australia In India, it has been previously recorded from the Godavari estuary andfrom the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika Lake by ICAR-CIFRI while undertaking fish
diversity inventory survey in Chilika under ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZM Consultancy Project(2011-2017) which was collected from the Satapada area of outer channel sector from
Khanda catches during March 2013. The species is locally known as Chitra Bali Chedhuan
in Odia. The species is newly recorded from a screen barrier net (Khanda) operated near
Satapada, hence not much of information about the species are available.
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283

Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton, 1822)
Tank goby
Odia: Bali Garida

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gobiidae
Genus : Glossogobius
Species : Glossogobius giuris

Diagnostic features
Body of the fish is plane, elongated, anteriorly cylindrical and compressed with rounded
abdomen. Head is depressed, pointed and scaled above behind eyes. Cheeks and operculum
are naked. Snout obtusely rounded or pointed not longer than eye with an oblique mouth.
Tongue is bilobed, branchiostegal membranes attached to sides of isthmus. Caudal fin isrounded. Eyes are superior and large; placed in middle of head and the iris without lappet.
Body colour is olive to dusky green above, lighter below. Five to six large blotches arepresent on the body. Dorsal fin has small spots, forming longitudinal stripes. 9 to 14 scalesin transverse line present. First dorsal fin is with or without one black spot.
D. VI+I, 9; A. I, 8; P. 19-20; Ls. 29-36.

Habitat
The fish inhabits in marine, fresh and brackish waters. It is benthopelagic in nature andamphidromous in migration.

Distribution
The species distributed in Africa to Oceania: Red Sea and East Africa and most inland
freshwater bodies over the Indian Ocean and western Pacific. It is common in coastal andestuarine waters from Africa and Madagascar to India and south of China.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Hora (1923) which was collected from
Satapada area of outer channel. The species is locally known as Baligarida in Odia,
occurs mostly in the northern and central sector of Chilika. The fish is a commercial
species, sold @ Rs. 80-100/kg. Consumed locally as well as traded to other states.
Commonly caught in screen barrier (Khanda) and seine nets (Drag / Bhida jala).

284

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOligolepis acutipennis (Valenciennes, 1837)
Sharptail goby
Odia: Chhita Lanja Baligirida

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gobiidae
Genus : Oligolepis
Species : Oligolepis acutipennis

Diagnostic features
The species has an elongated body. Head and snout are obtuse and rounded. Cleft ofmouth is oblique; its anterior extremity commencing opposite the lower edge of the eye.
The width of gape equals length of cleft. Pre-opercular pores are present. Maxilla although
not reaching past eye but reaches beneath the anterior edge of the eye. Body is grayish
brown superiorly becoming dull white beneath with presence of numerous dark blotches
along back. A series of eye size faint blotches present on mid-side. The last spot is at caudal
base. Four lines of spots or bands present along both dorsal fins. Dorsal fin longitudinallybarred and last dorsal ray divided at its base. Caudal fin is lanceolate. Fins are dusky, often
spotted. A dark brown bar is present from below eye to hind end of jaw.
D. VI+I, 10-11; A. I, 10-11; P. 20-21.

Habitat
The species is found in marine, freshwater and brackish water region; demersal in habit andamphidromous in migration.

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: Natal, South Africa to Indonesia and the western
Pacific. It is also very common in seas of India and Andaman Islands.

IUCN Status
Data Deficient (DD)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Hora (1923) which was collected fromRambha Bay in southern sector. The species is locally known as Chhita Lanja Baligirida
in Odia, occurs mainly between Nalabana and Satapada area of Chilika. The fish has lesscommercial value, sold along small fishes in bulk. Commonly found in screen barrier(Khanda) and seine nets (Drag/Bhida jala) catches. Due to its ornamental value the fish
is also utilized as aquarium fish.
Chilika Development Authority

285

Oxyurichthys microlepis (Bleeker, 1849)
Maned goby
Odia: Gallah

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gobiidae
Genus : Oxyurichthus
Species : Oxyurichthys microlepis

Diagnostic features
The fish has an elongated and compressed body with rounded abdomen. Head is large
and compressed 3.3-3.8 in standard length, with a distinctive membranous crest on nape.
Mouth is oblique, cleft extending to below hind edge of orbit. Snout is blunt. Tongue
largely fused to floor of mouth, tip free, ventral forming a disc. Pectoral and pelvic base are
naked. No bump on eyes present. Pre-dorsal is with low crest. Caudal fin is twice the sizeof the head and lanceolate to pointed. Body is violet; vertical fins pink; first dorsal with two
blue lines, second with blue spots; pectoral orange with violet spots; ventral orange.
D. VI+I, 12-13; A. I, 13; P. 20-22; Ls. 42-50; PD. 15-20.

Habitat
It is a marine to brackish water distributed species; demersal in habit and amphidromousin migration.

Distribution
It is distributed inIndo-West Pacific: Kenya to Transkei, South Africa; eastward to the tropicalwestern Pacific.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Koumans (1941). The species is locallyknown as Gallah in Odia, mainly occurs in the central sector between Nalabana andSatapada area and also in the southern sector of Chilika Lake. Although a food fish, it
has little commercial importance but has ornamental value for keeping in aquarium.
Commonly noticed in screen barrier (Khanda) and seine net (Drag/Bhida jala) catches.

286

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstitutePeriophthalmus kalolo Lesson, 1831
Common mudskipper
Odia: Luna Chedhuan, Keuta

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gobiidae
Genus : Periopthalmus
Species : Periophthalmus kalolo

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 8 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays:
9 - 11. Differs from P. argentilineatus by lacking thin silvery bars ventrally on the sides
and having pelvic fins connected at the base by a low membrane; further characterized
by: frenum of pelvic fins vestigial, but visible macroscopically; pelvic fins united bymembrane for about one half their length; D1 height moderate, its margin rounded,black stripe inframarginally with numerous white spots proximally, no elongate spines;
D2 with single dusky stripe inframarginally; dorsal fins not connected by membrane;
D1 with 11-15 spines; longitudinal scale count 66-86; head width 16.5-22.5% SL; pelvic
fin length 13.1-15.4% SL; length of anal fin base 15.9-18.7% SL; length ofD2 base 18.523.8% SL; total D2 elements 12-13; total analfin elements 11-12; TRDB 18-22. Maximum
length recorded 14.1 cm (TL) (Kottelat et al., 1993).

HabitatMarine; brackish; reef-associated.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Samoa.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

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Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Hora (1923) who recorded the fish

as Periopthalmus koelreuteri. He collected this common marine mudskipper fishfrom outer channel near Manikapatana. The species is locally known as Luna
Chedhuan, Keuta in Odia. The fish is found in the outer channel jumping on thesilty slope of western bank during ebb tide. Occurrence of this marine mudskipper
is restricted to the outer channel sector of Chilika between Moto and Satapada
area. This marine mudskipper is one of the important marine ornamental fishes
often used in marine aquarium. Its landing has not been estimated in Chilika as yet
and they are only found in the catch of miscellaneous species of marine – brackish
water fishes.

288

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstitutePsammogobius biocellatus (Valenciennes, 1837)
Sleepy goby
Odia: Neuli Baligirida

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gobiidae
Genus : Psammogobius
Species : Psammogobius biocellatus

Diagnostic features
Body of the fish is plane, elongated, anteriorly cylindrical and compressed with rounded
abdomen. Head is depressed, pointed and scaled above behind eyes. Cheeks and operculum are naked. Snout obtusely rounded or pointed not longer than eye with an obliquemouth. Tongue is bilobed, branchiostegal membranes attached to sides of isthmus. Caudal
fin is rounded. Eyes are superior and large; placed in middle of head and the iris without
lappet. Body colour is dark brown to black, with longitudinal rows of small black spot; 2-3
saddles on back and side. A black ocellus with a white edging in the hind portion of the firstdorsal fin is present. Dorsal fins are white spotted, dark crossbands on pelvic fins.
D. VII, 9; A. I, 8.

Habitat
It is a marine to freshwater dwelling species; benthopelagic in habit and amphidromousin migration

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: south to East London, South Africa. Western Central Pacific: Guam

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Hora (1923). The species is locally known
as Neuli Baligirida in Odia, occurs throughout the lagoon but frequent in central andnorthern sector of Chilika. The fish has commercial value being sold @ Rs. 60-70/- kg.
Consumed locally as well as traded to other states. Commonly caught in screen barrierand seine nets. Its landing is included in the brackishwater miscellaneous group.

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Taenioides anguillaris (Linnaeus, 1758)
Eel worm goby
Odia: Gatua Cheduhan

Systematic accounts

Taenioides anguillaris

Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gobiidae
Genus : Taenioides
Species : Taenioides anguillaris

Diagnostic features
Body shape is highly elongate and compressed. Head is sub-cylindrical; eyes minute.
Mouth is vertical; chin with three pairs of short barbels. Dorsal and anal fins envelopedin skin and confluent with caudal fin. Caudal fin is pointed. Body is yellowish with agolden tinge. Vertical fins are yellowish; caudal fin pinkish. T. buchanani can easily
be distinguished by its blackish vertical fins (yellowish in case of T. anguillaris). Even
though T. buchanani has small eyes, they are distinct (eyes are minute in T. anguillaris).
T. buchanani has 5 canines on each side of jaws while in T. anguillaris has 6-7 canines oneach side of upper jaw and 4-5 canines on each side of the lower jaw.
D. VI, 40-47; A. I, 37-44.

Habitat
The species exhibit burrowing habit and occurs in estuaries. In India the species is fairly
common in the creeks and mangrove areas.

Distribution
It is distributed in Sundarbans and Andaman Islands of India.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries

Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore, Kolkata under the five years consultancy
research project, April 2017. The species is locally known as Gatua Cheduhan in
Odia. The species has been recorded for first time from Chilika caught in screen
barrier net near Satapada area.

290

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteTrypauchen vagina (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Comb goby
Odia: Nali Chedhuan, Pania

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gobiidae
Genus : Trypauchen
Species : Trypauchen vagina

Diagnostic features
The species has a compressed and very elongated body. Abdomen is rounded. Headis compressed, naked with a median crest on occiput. Snout is conical but not sharp.
Mouth is oblique, lower jaw prominent; cleft extending to behind orbit. Eyes present
in anterior part of head are very small, covered by skin. Jaws are unequal, with teeth
in many rows and pointed. Body is covered with cycloid scales. Head, nape and breast
are naked. Pectoral fin is half of head length. Pelvic fins are very small, united, forminga disc. Both dorsal and anal fins are connected with caudal fin. Caudal fin is roundedand equal to head length. Body is reddish in colour.
D. VI, 40-49; A. I, 39-46; P. 15-18; V.I, 5.

Habitat
The fish species occurs from marine to brackish region; demersal in habit andamphidromous in migration.

Distribution
Distribution of the species ranges fromIndo-Pacific: Coasts of India through the Malay
Archipelago to China; also in the Philippines, New Caledonia and South Africa.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Jones and Sujansingani (1954). The

species is locally known as Nali Chedhuan, Pania in Odia. The species occurs incentral and outer channel sector burrowing in the bottom mud, specifically foundin Magarmukh area of the lagoon. It has neither commercial nor ornamental value.
Its catch in the lake is negligible and is mixed with the miscellaneous group, treatedas trash fish. Commonly found from catch of screen barrier nets (Khanda jal).

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Yongeichthys criniger (Valenciennes, 1837)
Yellowfin toxic goby
Odia: Luni Chedhuan

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Gobiidae
Genus : Yongeichthys
Species : Yongeichthys criniger

Diagnostic features
Body is elongated, eyes lateral, occasionally prominent. Snout is obtuse. The cleft ofmouth is oblique, commencing anteriorly opposite the middle of the eyes. The maxilla
reaches to below front edge or first third of the orbit. Several rows of fine warts along
the cheeks, opercles, and upper surface of head and nape of neck present. An open
pore is present between the eyes. The two dorsals with narrow inter space between
their bases. The second and third spines of first dorsal fin are often with filamentous
terminations. Last dorsal ray divided to its base. Caudal fin is rounded. Colour of the
body is pale yellowish orange. Head, body, dorsal and caudal fins irregularly spottedand blotched with black. Caudal and anal fins are with dark edges.
D. VII, 9; A. I, 9.

Habitat
The fish is marine to brackish water species and demersal in habit.

Distribution
It is distributed in Sundarbans and Andaman Islands of India.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007). The species islocally known as Luni Chedhuan in Odia. The species found mainly near Satapada
area up to Nalabana area of Chilika. The fish sold along with other gobiids @Rs 50-70/- kg. Commonly noticed in screen barrier and seine nets (drag/bhidajala). Toxicity in this species is particularly high in the skin; so it is poisonous toeat. The fish is not used as a food fish and its catch is mixed with the miscellaneousgroup.

292

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteEphippus orbis (Bloch, 1787)
OrbfishOdia: Chandi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Ephippidae
Genus : Ephippus
Species : Ephippus orbis

Diagnostic features
Color: Greenish above, the sides and belly silvery, more or less dusky in their margin
part, the ventrals sometimes brown or blackish. 4 or 5 vertical black bars on body fromdorsal fins almost to belly; margins of soft dorsal, pelvic, anal and caudal fins dusky
black.
Head and body silvery blue-green. Four or 5 faint dark blue bars often visible on
body. Fins dusky. Body orbicular and strongly compressed, its depth more than twice
length of head. Eye above horizontal axis through mouth. Mouth small, the maxilla notreaching past vertical at front edge of eye. Jaws with bands of slender, incisiform teeth
with a single lanceolate cusp. No teeth on palatines or vomer. Preopercle distinctly
serrate, with a broad naked margin. Opercle without spines. Head 3 to 3.5, 4 to 4.3 inlength with caudal, much higher than long. Eye more or less than 2.3 in head. Lateralline angularly arched with more or less than 40 sensory scales, about eight to ten
scales in a transverse series between lateral line and origin of dorsal, and 14 between
lateral line and origin of anal, about five above the top of the lateral line. Dorsal withthe first spine very small and procumbent, in old specimens hidden. The second andthird spines smaller, the fourth, fifth and sixth the longest, gradually decreasing in size,
their deeply incised membrane with a filiform prolongation, the succeeding spines
short but strong, the soft dorsal rounded, and similar to anal, which has three spines,
much shorter than eye. Pectorals obtusely rounded, longer than half length of head
and about equal to spines of ventrals the first ray of which reaches anal. For othercharacters see those of the subfamily.

HabitatMarine; reef-associated; amphidromous; demersal; neiritic; common on mud banks or
mud and sand. Feeds on benthic invertebrates and fishes.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf to Natal, South Africa, eastward to India and Lesser
Sunda Island, Indonesia, north to Japan and Taiwan, south to northern Australia.
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IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Satapathy and Panda (2009) which

was collected from outer channel sector. The species is locally known as Chandi
in Odia. Its catch in Chilika is negligible and hence mixed with the miscellaneousbrackishwater fish group. Meat is very tasty, marketed fresh and sold in the local
markets.

294

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstitutePlatax orbicularis (Forsskål, 1775)
Orbicular batfish
Odia: Chaina Chandee

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Ephippidae
Genus : Platax
Species : Platax orbicularis

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 34-39; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 25- 29. The ocular band of adult specimens with a series of dark vermiculations. Adults(above 20 cm) yellowish silvery or dusky, dark bar through eye and another bar justbehind head. Occasionally with a few small, scattered black spots on body. Medianfins yellowish, with black margins posteriorly. Pelvic fins black. Small juveniles reddish
brown, with irregular black spots and blotches and small, white (black-edged) ocelli on
body. Small black spot at base of last 3 dorsal- and anal-fin rays. Caudal fin transparent
except for base, which is reddish brown. Body orbicular and strongly compressed, its
depth more than twice length of head and 0.9 to 1.4 times SL. Head length 3.4 to 3.8
times SL. Snout profile of large adults (above 40 cm total length) concave, with bonyswelling between eyes. Interorbital width 38 to 48% head length. Jaws with bandsof slender, flattened, tricuspid teeth, the middle cusp about twice length of lateralcusps. No teeth on palatines or vomer. Five pores on each side of lower jaw. Preopercle
smooth. Opercle without spines. Anterior profile angular. Maximum length recorded
60.0 cm (TL) (Bouhlel, 1988).

HabitatMarine; brackish; reef-associated; semi-demersal; neritic.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa and Persian Gulf to the Tuamoto Islands, northto southern Japan, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Recorded off thecoast of Florida in the Western Central Atlantic.

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IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Satapathy and Panda (2009) which

was collected from outer channel sector. The species is locally known as Chaina
Chandee in Odia. It is a food fish having interest to fisheries, young once arevery much preferred as marine ornamental fish for marine aquarium. The fish isoccasionally caught in stray number in the outer channel and it does not form afishery.

296

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteScatophagus argus (Linnaeus, 1766)
Spotted scat
Odia: Chitra chandi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Scatophagidae
Genus : Scatophagus
Species : Scatophagus argus

Diagnostic features
The Body shape is squarish to quadrangular, strongly compressed with triangular head.
Dorsal profile of head is steep and snout rounded. Mouth is small, horizontal but not
protractile. Rostro-dorsal profile is strongly ascending and followed by a deep concavity.
Mouth is small, not protractile. Eye are moderately large, its diameter somewhat smaller
than snout length. Villiform teeth present in several rows on jaws. Body is greenish-grey todusky with numerous irregular large round brown spots. Belly is silvery. Juveniles are witha few large roundish blotches, about size of eye, or with about 5 or 6 broad, dark, verticalbars. In large adults, spots may be faint and restricted to dorsal part of flanks.
D. IX, 16-18; A. IV, 16-18; P. 20; V. I, 5.

Habitat
Thespecies ranges from marine to freshwater; usually reef-associated and amphidromousin migration.

Distribution
The fish is distributed in Indo-Pacific: Kuwait to Fiji, north to southern Japan, south to New
Caledonia. Also reported from Samoa, Tonga and the Society Islands.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Roy and Sahoo (1957) which wascollected from Balugaon coast. The species is locally known as Chitra Chandi in Odia.
The fish occurs mainly in southern and outer channel sector and rarely in central
sector. It has less commercial value, sold @ Rs 70-80/- kg. Commonly found in catchesof gill nets, seine nets and screen barrier nets (Khanda jal). It is one of the very good
ornamental fish for brackish water aquarium.

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Siganus canaliculatus (Park, 1797)
White-spotted spinefootOdia: Samadho / Ora

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Siganidae
Genus : Siganus
Species : Siganus canaliculatus

Diagnostic features
The fish has an oval and strongly compressed body. Teeth present on jaws are small
and denticulated. Preopercular angle is 89°-96°. Cheeks appear to be scaleless but
sometimes with few to many, fine, embedded scales on lower 2/3. Midline of thorax
is scaleless between pelvic ridges. Margin of anterior nostril encircled by a low flangewith the flap extending towards posterior flap; flap shortens with increasing size. Body
is silvery gray above, silvery below; a touch of olive green on nape and upper surface ofhead. Bright pattern mottled with pale cream and dark brown. The fish usually displays
a dark patch just below origin of lateral line. A dark shoulder mark and barred present
on the caudal fin.
D. XIII, 10; A. VII, 9; Vr. 23.

HabitatFound in Marine and brackish water region; reef-associated and oceanodromous inmigration.

Distribution
Distribution is Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka,
Burma, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines,
Cambodia, Viet Nam, south China, Taiwan and Western Australia. Also found in Ryukyu
Islands, Palau, Yap and Melanesia.

298

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteIUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007). The species
is locally known as Samadho / Ora in Odia. The species frequently found in outerchannel area, but also found in central and southern sector of Chilika. It has somecommercial value, sold @ Rs 70-90/ kg. The fish caught in gill net and screen
barrier. But in outer channel area, the species found to be caught through cast
nets also. The fish has ornamental value to be utilized in brackish water aquarium.
The annual catch of the fish is mixed with the brackishwater miscellaneous group.

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Siganus javus (Linnaeus, 1766)
Streaked spinefootOdia: Samadho / Ora

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Siganidae
Genus : Siganus
Species : Siganus javus

Diagnostic features
The fish has an oval and strongly compressed body. Teeth present on jaws are small
and denticulated. Dorsal fin spines are slender. Anal fin spines are stout. Caudal fin isemarginated. Body is bluish white above, light below with numerous blue spots on head,
nape and upper half of body. Ventral part of body has narrow irregular bluish grey wavy
stripes forming a reticulum. Dorsal and anal fins are yellow. Caudal fin is dusky with a large
black patch in the middle.
D. XIII, 10; A, VII, 9; P. 17-18; V. II, 3.

HabitatFound in marine and brackish water region; reef-associated and oceanodromous inmigration.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Andaman Islands,
Thailand, Viet Nam, southern China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, New Guinea,
Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Bhatta et al. (2001). The species is locallyknown as Samadho / Ora in Odia. The species frequently found in outer channel area,
but also found in central and southern sector of Chilika. It has some commercial value,sold @ Rs 80-120/- kg. The fish caught in gill net and screen barrier. But in outer channelarea, the species found to be caught through cast nets also. The fish has ornamental
value to be utilized in brackish water aquarium. The annual catch of the fish is mixed
with the brackishwater miscellaneous group.

300

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteSiganus vermiculatus (Valenciennes, 1835)
Vermiculated spinefootOdia: Samadho / Ora

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Siganidae
Genus : Siganus
Species : Siganus vermiculatus

Diagnostic features
Body is deep and compressed; its depth 1.9-2.2 times in SL. Nape and snout convex
whereas interorbital space concave. Anterior nostril is with a flange which is slightly
broadened posterior. Scales minute; cheeks covered with prominent scales. midlineof thorax scaled but not pelvic ridges. A forward directed spine is present in front of
dorsal fin and last dorsal spine is longest in specimen above 12.5 cm SL and 5th to 8th
spines longest in smaller fish. Last anal fin spine is longest (about 1.8 times of firstspine). Caudal fin is emarginated. Around 17-26 rows of scales are present between
lateral line and bases of leading dorsal spines. Body colour is bluish white, head brown
to brownish or golden yellow. Head and body with vermiculate or irregular blue lines
are present. Dark lines breaking into spots on caudal fin, spots arranged in 4 verticalrows. Dark spots also present on soft parts of dorsal and anal fins, arranged in rows, theproximal row prominent.
D. XIII, 10; A. VII, 9; Vr. 13.

Habitat
The species usually found reef-associated, inhabits in marine to brackish environments.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: India, Sri Lanka, Andaman Islands, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore,
Indonesia, Philippines, Palau, Guam, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji.

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IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Jones and Sujansinghani (1954)

which was collected from Chilika near Balugaon. The species is locally known as
Samadho / Ora in Odia. The species rarely found in outer channel sector of Chilika,
caught in gill nets. The fish predominantly occurs in the outer channel and also
distributed in central and southern sector and also occasionally in northern sector.
It is considered as a brackishwater ornamental fish and does not form a commercial
fishery. The annual catch is included in the miscellaneous brackishwater fish group.

302

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteAcanthurus mata (Cuvier, 1829)
Elongate surgeonfish
Odia: Moothia, Kala Chandi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Acanthuridae
Genus : AcanthurusSpecies : Acanthurus mataDiagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-26; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays:
23 - 24. Body brown; head banded; fins brown. Capable of changing color to palebluish overall. Behind eye a yellow area and 2 yellow bands extending anterior fromeye. A single, sharp, forward-pointing erectile spine which folds down into a horizontal
groove on each side of the caudal peduncle; spine in white sheath. Gill rakers 13-15 inboth anterior and posterior rows. Scales minute. Maximum length recorded 50.0 cm(TL) (Randall, 1986).

HabitatMarine; reef-associated.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Natal, South Africa and east to the Marquesas andTuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef
and New Caledonia.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007) which wascollected from Magarmukh area of outer channel sector. The species is locallyknown as Moothia, Kala Chandi in Odia. The fish has little interest to fisheries
because of its small size and rare occurrence in the lake. The fish being a benthic
grazer is mostly caught by bottom set nets. Small size fishes have ornamental
values and can be used in the marine aquarium.

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Acanthurus triostegus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Convict surgeonfish
Odia: Bagha Chandi

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Acanthuridae
Genus : AcanthurusSpecies : Acanthurus triostegus

Diagnostic features
Convict tangs have a pale body color varying from white/greenish-white to gray or even yellow.
This background is overlaid one going through each eye. They are highly laterally compressedand have small scales, gill rakers, dorsal spines and anal spines. Dorsal spines (total):
9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-26; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 19 - 22. Body olivaceous gray,with 4 vertical stripes (1 stripe on head across the yellow eye; 1 on caudal peduncle); shading
to white ventrally, often with a sharp line of demarcation. Sharp, forward-pointing, erectile
spine on each side of caudal peduncle which folds down into a groove. Scales minute. Teeth
with denticulations on sides and top. Gill rakers 18-22 in anterior row, 19-24 in posterior row.
Maximum length recorded 27.0 cm (TL) (Randall, J.E., 1986).

HabitatConvict tangs are surgeonfish that prefer to occupy coral reefs, but are also found in tidepools and other near shore habitats such as shallow, low current beach communities. They
are tropical reef fish. Convict tangs are mainly found in temperatures ranging from 24-26°C
and at depths of 0-90 m. This marine fish is considered as a good marine ornamental fish foraquarium use.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: throughout the region except for the seas around the Arabian Peninsula. Eastern
Pacific: lower Gulf of California to Panama, including the Revillagigedo, Cocos, Clipperton,and Galapagos islands.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2013) which was collectedfrom Magarmukh area during the post-restoration period. The species is locally known as
Bagha Chandi in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is occasionally found in the outer channel
and Magarmukh area in the central sector. Its annual landing has not been estimated as
the catch is very negligible.

304

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteSphyraena jello Cuvier, 1829
Pickhandle barracuda
Odia:Gayala

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sphyraenidae
Genus : Sphyraena
Species : Sphyraena jelloDiagnostic features
The species has an elongate and round body. Head large, with a long, pointed snout; mouthlarge, maxilla (upper jaw) almost reaching to anterior margin of eye, lower jaw projecting;strong, pointed, flattened teeth in both jaws, large in front, smaller behind and a few
triangular, flattened teeth on roof of mouth (palatines). No gill rakers on first arch; upper andlower gill arch platelets rough, but without distinct spines. Origin of first (spinous) dorsal fin
slightly behind pelvic fin origin; anterior dorsal and anal fin rays not reaching beyond tips ofposterior rays when fin depressed; pectoral fin tip reaching beyond pelvic fin base. Scales
small, more than 130 (usually 135-140) in lateral line. Body colour is blue/black or brownabove, sides silvery, with a dark pattern of serpentine bars reaching a little below lateral line,
but no inky spots on hind part of body below lateral line (bars very distinct in young).

Habitat
The species found in marine and brackish water bodies; usually reef-associated and perform
oceanodromous migration.

Distribution
Distributed in Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific regions.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007). The species is locallyknown as Gayala in Odia. Mostly the juveniles and sub-adults visit outer channel mainly
for feeding and their occurrence in the lake is restricted to outer channel sector only.
The maximum total length and weight of the fish in the marine environment has beenreported to be 150 cm and 11.5 kg respectively. The maximum size of the fish recorded
from Chilika Lake is 42 cm. It is a good food fish, rarely found in Chilika. Consumed locally,has comparatively less commercial value, sold @ Rs. 80-120/- kg.

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Sphyraena putnamae Jordan & Seale, 1905
Sawtooth barracuda
Odia: Gayala

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sphyraenidae
Genus : Sphyraena
Species : Sphyraena putnamae

Diagnostic features
The species has an elongated and slightly compressed body. Head very long with longsnout; mouth large, with lower jaw projecting beyond upper. Strong canine teeth in jaws
and on palatines of unequal size. No gill rakers on first gill arch; preopercle and opercle
rounded; maxilla reaches almost front edge of eye. Scales small, cycloid. Lateral line welldeveloped and nearly straight. Two widely separated dorsal fins. Caudal fin forked, inlarge adults with a pair of indistinct lobes at posterior margin. A total of 15 acutely angled
chevrons are present on sides of body and their apices directed forward.
D1.5; D2.1, 8; P.12-14.

Habitat
It is a marine species, usually found to be reef-associated.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to New Caledonia and Vanuatu, north to southern
Japan. Reported from Fiji and Tuvalu.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported as Sphyraena raghava from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1917)
which was collected from Satapada area. The species is locally known as Gayala inOdia. Although the maximum recorded length from marine environment is 90 cm, themaximum size of the fish recorded from outer channel sector of Chilika Lake was 37
cm. The fish occasionally enters the outer channel sector during post-winter and its
occurrence is restricted between Magarmukh and lake mouth. It is a good food fish,rarely found in Chilika. Consumed locally, has less commercial value, sold @ Rs 60-100/kg.

306

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteSphyraena obtusata Cuvier, 1829
Obtuse barracuda
Odia: Gayala

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sphyraenidae
Genus : Sphyraena
Species : Sphyraena obtusata

Diagnostic features
It has an elongated and slightly compressed body; large head with a long and pointed snout.
The maxilla (upper jaw) reaching to anterior margin of eye, lower jaw is projecting. Teeth arepresent on both jaws are strong, pointed and flattened; front teeth are large and behinds are
smaller. A few triangular, flattened teeth on the roof of mouth (palatines). In the gill, the firstarch with two prominent gill rakers; upper and lower gill arch platelets rough but without
distinct spines. The origin of pelvic fins situated well before first dorsal-fin origin. Pectoral fin
tip reaching first dorsal fin origin. Body colour is silvery white; sides are without dark bars or
chevrons. However, a longitudinal yellow or dark stripe above lateral line is clearly visible infresh. Sides of mouth are bright yellow. Second dorsal and caudal fin is yellow. Terminal endof caudal fin is with black margins.
D. VI, 9; A. II, 9.

HabitatThis species inhabits in marine to brackish waters; usually found reef-associated.

Distribution
The species is well distributed in Indo-Pacific regions: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, northto the Ryukyu Islands, south to Lord Howe Island. Also found in Mediterranean and the Red
Sea.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika (outer channel sector-Satapada area) by
Karna et al. (2017). The species is locally known as Gayala in Odia which is also a good
food fish. Its percentage composition in commercial catch being negligible, the fishgrouped under miscellaneous brackish water species. It is locally consumed and sold at
Rs.50-100 / kg depending on size. The maximum size recorded from the outer channelof Chilika Lake was 27 cm.
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Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792)
Climbing perch
Odia: Kau

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Anabantidae
Genus : AnabasSpecies : Anabas testudineus

Diagnostic features
The fish species has an elongated and compressed body with a depth of nearly 1/3rd ofstandard length. The length of snout is nearly 1/5th of standard length. The body is rifle
green in colour, very pale below, back dusky to olive. It has more than four vertical bands
on sides, which disappears with age. Head with longitudinal stripes ventrally and the iris
is golden reddish. Posterior margin of opercle has a dark spot. It has a large mouth withvilliform teeth on jaws. The lateral line is interrupted about the seventeenth scale.
D. XVI-XX, 8-10; A. IX-XI, 8-11; P. 15; V. I, 5; Ll. 28-32.

Habitat
The species resides in fresh as well as brackish water; it is demersal and potamodromousin nature.

Distribution
Distributed in Asian countries: India to Wallace line including China.

IUCN Status
Data deficient (DD)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Menon (1961) which was collected from
northern sector near Hatabaradi. The species is locally known as Kau in Odia. The fish
mostly caught from northern sector near Bhusandapur, Kalupada, Jaguleipadara andJagannathpur area and in the central sector near Nalabana area. The fish is landed ingood quantity at Jagannathpur and Jaguleipadara landing centres in northern sector.
It has good commercial value, sold @ Rs 70-120 / kg. Fishes in live condition traded toother states mainly to West Bengal. The species caught in gill nets and screen barriernets (Khanda).

308

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteTrichogaster fasciata Bloch & Schneider, 1801
Banded gourami
Odia: Kou Phasi, Khasi Kari

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Osphronemidae
Genus : Trichogaster
Species : Trichogaster fasciata

Diagnostic features
Body of the fish is elongated and strongly compressed. Mouth is small and slightly protrusible.
Ventral side consists of a single elongated ray. Preorbital is serrated in young specimen.
Color of the species is greenish with 14 or more oblique orange or bluish bars descending
downwards and backwards from the back to the anal fin. Vertical fins have alternating dark
and pale spots or bars. The anal fin is often with a red margin. Caudal fin is slightly notched or
cut square. Immature specimens have a black spot at the root of the caudal fin.
D. XV-XVII, 9-14; A. XV-XVIII, 14-19; Vr. 27

Habitat
It is a freshwater dwelling species, benthopelagic in habit.

Distribution
It is distributed specifically in Asian countries: Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and upper
Myanmar.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Bhatta et al. (2001) collected from
Kalupada area. The species is locally known as Kou Phasi, Khasi Kari in Odia. The species
mainly occur in northern and central sector of Chilika. It is a very good native and hardy
freshwater ornamental fish which is mostly maintained in home aquarium. Although it isgenerally not used as food fish but is highly in demand as an attractive native freshwaterornamental fish. It has commercial value as an freshwater ornamental fish. Its catch isincluded in the miscellaneous group and sometimes sold @ Rs 50-60/- kg. Commonly
found in the catch of screen barrier net and seine net (drag net) in the freshwater zoneof northern sector between Jaganthpur and Kalupadaghat area in the northern sector.

Chilika Development Authority309

Trichogaster lalius (Hamilton, 1822)
Dwarf gourami
Odia: Kou Phasi, Khasi Kari

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Osphronemidae
Genus : Trichogaster
Species : Trichogaster lalius

Diagnostic features
It has compressed body with terminal mouth and small cleft. Body is crimson in colour
and light blue vertical bands are present extending up to dorsal, anal and caudal fins.
Soft parts of dorsal and anal fins not produced. Caudal fin is slightly emarginated.
D. XV-XVIII, 11-20; A. XV-XXII, 11-20; P. 10; V. 1; Ll. 26-28.

HabitatOccurs in freshwater lakes, reservoirs, rivers, canals; benthopelagic in nature.

Distribution
Well distributed in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Roy and Sahoo (1968) from

Kalijugeswar area near Balugaon. The species is locally known as Kou Phasi,
Khasi kari in Odia. The species mainly occur in northern and central sector of
Chilika. It is a very good native and hardy freshwater ornamental fish which ismostly maintained in home aquarium. Although it is generally not used as foodfish but is highly in demand as an attractive native freshwater ornamental fish. It
has commercial value as freshwater ornamental fish. Its catch is included in the
miscellaneous group and sometimes sold @ Rs 50-60/- kg. Commonly found in
the catch of screen barrier net and seine net (drag net) in the freshwater zoneof northern sector between Jaganthpur and Kalupadaghat area in the northern
sector and it occurs in the western weedy shore area of the lake up to Chandraput
coast.

310

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteChanna marulius (Hamilton, 1822)
Great snakehead
Odia: Saala

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Channidae
Genus : Channa
Species : Channa marulius

Diagnostic features
The fish has an elongated, anteriorly sub-cylindrical body with rounded abdomen. The
head is large and depressed with plate like scales. Snout somewhat obtuse and mouth
fairly large, opening moderate to wise that may extend to below orbit. An accessory
respiratory organ in the form of a thin bony lamina present in a cavity in gill chamber.
Both dorsal and anal fins free from caudal. A black white-edged ocellus present on
basal portion of caudal fins.15-16 pre-dorsal scales and 10 scales between orbit andangel of preopercle present.
D. 45-55; A. 28-36; P.18; V.6; Ll.60-70.

Habitat
It is a freshwater species, benthopelagic and potamodromous in habit.

Distribution
It is distributed in India to China, south to Thailand, Cambodia and Pakistan.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohanty et al. (2015) which wascollected from Bhusandapur and Jaguleipadara area in northern sector. The
species is locally known as Saala in Odia, occurs mainly in northern sector of
Chilika. It has good commercial value, sold @ Rs 120-160/kg, mostly sent to New
Delhi markets. This species is a good aquaculture species, consumed locally aswell as traded to other states within India as live samples. Average annual yield is
3.23 tonnes (Average economic evaluation is Rs. 5.83 lakhs. The species has beencaught in hook & line and also found from catch of screen barrier nets (Khanda).

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Channa punctata (Bloch, 1793)
Spotted snakehead
Odia: Gadisha

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Channidae
Genus : Channa
Species : Channa punctata

Diagnostic features
The fish has an elongated and rounded body, cylindrical anteriorly. Scales on bodyare large and on head are plate like. Cheek scales are 5 and predorsal scales are 12
in number. Eyes are moderate in size. Its diameter is 1/12th of head length. Mouthis large. Lower jaw has 3 to 6 canines located behind a single row of villiform teeth.
Caudal fin is rounded. Body colour varies from black to light green on dorsal sides andflanks, ventral side white to pale yellow. Sometimes it has a reddish tinge, several dark
blotches on flanks, some with numerous black spots on body and also on dorsal, analand caudal fins.
D. 28-33; A. 21-23; P. 17; V. 6; Ll. 37-40.

Habitat
The fish dwells in fresh to brackish water; benthopelagic in nature and perform
potamodromous migration.

Distribution
The species is commonly sdstributed in Asia: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka,
Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Yunnan in China.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)312

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1917) which wascollected from Parikud area. The species is locally known as Gadisha, occurs
mainly in northern sector of
Chilika. It breeds in Chilika Lake inthe fringe weedy areas between
Bhusandapur and Jagannathpur.
It has less commercial value, sold
@ Rs 50-80/kg. This fish consumed
locally. Average annual yield is 33.5
tonnes valued at Rs. 8.89 lakhs.
The species is caught in hook &line and also found from catch of
screen barrier nets (Khanda) and
Fig W Annual landings of C. punctata during
Boja (Bamboo screen trap). The
2001-02 to 2017-18
fish is landed in more quantity at
Mangalajodi landing centre.

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Channa striata (Bloch, 1793)
Striped snakehead
Odia: Seula

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Perciformes
Family : Channidae
Genus : Channa
Species : Channa striata

Diagnostic features
Body elongate. Head broad and flattened reminiscent of a snake’s head. Top and sidesof head covered with scales. Mouth large; only small teeth on palate. Eyes in anterior
part of head. Lateral line with 42-57 very large scales. Dorsal fin longer than anal fin
and beginning above pectoral fin. Caudal rounded. Oblique bars on body.

HabitatVery common in freshwater plains; survive dry season by burrowing in bottom mud oflakes, canals and swamps as long as skin and breating apparatus remain moist. Feeds
on fishes and crustaceans.

Distribution
Found in sluggish or standing water from Sri Lanka to Indonesia, the Philippines andChina. One of the most common snakeheads in Cambodia.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)314

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Jones and Sujansingani (1954) which

was collected from Kalupadaghat area. The species is locally known as Seula inOdia, frequently found in the northern
sector, particularly in the northern partof northern sector and occasionallyin the central and southern sectorsof the lake. The fish species has very
good commercial value as it is highly
in demand in West Bengal and Andhra
Pradesh. The fish is everyday caught
from the lake and mostly transported
by road to West Bengal as live fish kept
in water in metal (GI) container withFig X Annual landings of C. striata(Seula) during 2001-02 to 2016-17
perforated lid. The average daily catchfrom the lake is about 7 tonnes andaverage annual landings is 84 tonnes(2016-17). The fish is sold at an average unit price of Rs. 120/-kg at landing centre.
Major landing of this fish takes place at Jaguleipadara, Bhusandapur, Kalupada
and Sorana landing centres in Chilika Lake. Generally caught through gill net andhook & line; breeds in monsoon season. Year wise annual landings for 16 years
during the post-restoration period (2001-02 to 2016-17) is depicted in Fig X.

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315

Pseudorhombus arsius (Hamilton, 1822)
Large-tooth flounder
Odia: Patpata

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Pleuronectiformes
Family : Paralichthyidae
Genus : Pseudorhombus
Species : Pseudorhombus arsius

Diagnostic features
Body shape is generally oval and compressed with both eyes on left side. Mouth has
5-10 pointed teeth in either jaw. Scales on eye side are ctenoid and on blind side
cycloid. First dorsal ray is inserted over anterior nostril. Gill rakers are 9-13 on lower
arm of first arch. Body is light brown with dark spots and rings on eye side. A large dark
spot at the junction of straight and curved parts of lateral line and two smaller ones onlateral line at posterior part of body and near anterior end of caudal fin distinguishes
the species. Median fins with scattered dark spots. Caudal fin is wedge shaped with its
central rays being the longest.
D. 74-76; A. 58-61; P. 11-13; V. 5; Ll. 67-80.

Habitat
It is a marine to brackish dwelling species; demersal in habit and oceanodromous inmigration

Distribution
It is distributed in Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf and east coast of Africa (south to
Algoa Bay and perhaps to Knysna, South Africa) to Fiji, north to southern Japan, south
to the northern coast of Australia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Hora (1923). The species is locallyknown as Patpata in Odia. It occurs mostly in central and outer channel sector of
Chilika. It has no commercial value and treated as a trash fish, found in the catchesof screen barrier nets and in seine nets. Its annual landing being negligible isincluded in the brackishwater miscellaneous group.

316

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstitutePseudorhombus micrognathus Norman, 1927
Flounder fish
Odia: Patpatia

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Pleuronectiformes
Family : Paralichthyidae
Genus : Pseudorhombus
Species : Pseudorhombus micrognathus

Diagnostic features
Body is flat and oval. Its body depth is ½ of standard length. Dorsal profile of headis notched in front of eyes, which are located on left side. Maxilla extends to middleof lower eye. About 12 long and slender gill rakers are present on lower arm of firstarch. Teeth are minute in both jaws. Dorsal fin originates above anterior nostril of blindside. Ctenoid scales on ocular side and cycloid scales on blind side cover the body.
Lateral line is curved and forms 2 braches near head region. Maximum length recorded
12.0cm (TL) (Satapathy & Panda, 2009).

HabitatMarine; bathydemersal.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: India and the Philippines.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Satapathy & Panda (2009). The

species is locally known as Patpatia in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish occurs rarelyin the outer channel sector, central sector and also southern sector of Chilika Lake.
It does not form a fishery in the lake. This marine fish has ornamental value formarine aquaria.

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Pseudorhombus triocellatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Three spotted flounders
Odia: Chakka Patpata

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Pleuronectiformes
Family : Paralichthyidae
Genus : Pseudorhombus
Species : Pseudorhombus triocellatus

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 65-70; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays:
49 - 52. Body brownish, with 1 ocellus above and below lateral line and 1 ocellus on
posterior third of straight section of lateral line. Many indistinct spots and blotches on
body. Pectoral fin on ocular side with 11-12 soft rays.

HabitatMarine; demersal.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: India and Sri Lanka to western Thailand, Sumatra and the southern
islands of Indonesia, and northwestern Australia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohapatra et al. (2007) while

undertaking ichthyofaunal inventory survey in the outer channel sector during
2006. The species is locally known as Chakka Patpata in Odia. The fish rarely
occurs in the outer channel during high salinity phase (post-winter and summer
season). It does not form a commercial fishery in Chilika although it is one of thecommercially important fish species with high unit selling price. The stray catchesof this species is included in the brackish water miscellaneous group.

318

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteSolea ovata Richardson, 1846
Ovate sole
Odia: Patpata

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Pleuronectiformes
Family : Soleidae
Genus : Solea
Species : Solea ovata

Diagnostic features
The species has a ovate and flat body. Eyes present on right side. Inter-orbital is scaly.
Snout obtusely pointed. Dorsal and anal fins not confluent with caudal; both ventral
fins present. Ocular side of body and fins are olive-brown with spots and black blotches;
deep black blotches on outer 2/3rd of pectoral fins.
D. 58-67; A. 41-51.

Habitat
The species inhabits in marine waters; demersal in nature.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific: including the northern China Sea, Gulf of Thailand, the Philippines andsouthward to Indonesia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rajan et al. (1968). The species islocally known as Patpata in Odia. It occurs mostly in central and outer channel
sector of Chilika. It has no commercial value and treated as a trash fish. The catchcomes from screen barrier nets (Khanda jaal) and seine nets (Bhida jaal). Annual
catch being much less it is included in the brackishwater miscellaneous fish group.

Chilika Development Authority319

Zebrias synapturoides (Jenkins, 1910)
Indian zebra sole
Odia: Zebra Patpata

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Pleuronectiformes
Family : Soleidae
Genus : Zebrias
Species : Zebrias synapturoides

Diagnostic features
Body elongate and flat with strong ctenoid scales on both sides. Eyes on right side;
nearly contiguous (separated by a scaly orbital space) and without tentacles. Right
pectoral fin (pectoral fin on the ocular side) shorter than the eye and its upper rays
not produced. Posterior rays of dorsal and anal fins joined only to the basal half of thecaudal fin. Body is brownish with 13 dark cross-bands on the ocular side.

HabitatThis species generally prefers sandy/muddy bottoms of shallow inshore waters.

Distribution
In India it is distributed in the South-West coast and along the entire East coast.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The striped sole fish (Soleidae) was first reported from Chilika Lake during fish

fauna inventory survey by ICAR-CIFRI’s scientist during March 2013 collected from
Satapada area of Chilika Lake in the outer channel sector. The fish was captured
from a screen barrier nets. Its occurrence in the lake is rare and is mixed with thecatch miscellaneous group. Although it is food fish, often people maintains thissole fish in the marine aquarium because of its attractive colourful stripes on the
body.

320

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteCynoglossus lida (Bleeker, 1851)
Roughscale tonguesole
Odia: Patpatta

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Pleuronectiformes
Family : Cynoglossidae
Genus : Cynoglossus
Species : Cynoglossus lida

Diagnostic features
Color: In alcohol specimens light brownish, still lighter on blind side.
Very elongate. Height 4-4.6 in length with caudal, head 4.5-5 in length with caudal.
Eyes about 10, less than one eyediamter apart. Vertical through hindborder of uppereye somewhat before that through middle of lower eye. Posterior nostril on coloredside pierced in interorbital space, anterior nostril tubular, near upper lip, those of blindside with an elevated rim at some distance of each other. Corner of mouth below
hindborder of lower eye, more than one eyediameter nearer to branchial opening
than end of snout. Hook of upper jaw reaching to below eye. Scales ctenoid on bothsides. Two lateral lines on colored side, an upper and a middle one, separated by 13-14
scales. One indistinct median one on blind side.

HabitatMarine; demersal.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: East Africa, Pakistan and India to the Malay Archipelago and thePhilippines.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Satapathy and Panda (2009) which

was collected from Satapada area of the outer channel sector. The species is locallyknown as Patpatta in Odia. It has no commercial value and treated as a trash fish.
The fish found in the catches of screen barrier nets (Khanda jal) and in seine nets
(Bhida jal).

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Cynoglossus lingua Hamilton, 1822
Long tongue sole
Odia: Dudhpatua

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Pleuronectiformes
Family : Cynoglossidae
Genus : Cynoglossus
Species : Cynoglossus lingua

Diagnostic features
The fish has aflat and very elongate body with tubular anterior nostril and obtusely
pointed snout. Corner of mouth reaching well beyond vertical through posterior
margin of the lower eye and is much nearer to gill opening than to tip of snout. It has ashort rostral hook. Feebly ctenoid scales present on the coloured side only. One lateralline is present on the blind side. Pectoral fins absent and only left ventral fin is present.
Ocular side is reddish brown, sometimes with irregular brownish black patches. A large
black blotch is present on the operculum.
D. 126-138; A. 97-114; C. 10

Habitat
The fish is found to occur from Marine to freshwater region. It is demersal andamphodromous in habit.

Distribution
The fish is distributed along the Indo-west Pacific region.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Talwar & Jhingran (1991). The species

is locally known as Dudhpatua in Odia. It occurs mostly in central and outerchannel sector of Chilika. It has no commercial value and treated as a trash fish.
The fish found in the catches of screen barrier nets (Khanda jal) and in seine nets
(Bhida jal).

322

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteCynoglossus puncticeps (Richardson, 1846)
Speckled tongue sole
Odia: Aswa

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Pleuronectiformes
Family : Cynoglossidae
Genus : Cynoglossus
Species : Cynoglossus puncticeps

Diagnostic features
The fish has an elongated flat body with tubular anterior nostril. The interorbital space
is narrow. It has a rounded snout which is 1/3rd of head length. Pectoral fins are absent
and only left-ventral fin present. Ocular side is yellow-brown with distinct irregularbrown blotches, whereas the lower side is whitish. Some rays of dorsal and anal finsdashed with dark brown markings. Ctenoid scales present on both sides. A single lateral line is present on the blind side. D. 90-100; A. 72-78; Vr. 44-49; C. 10.

Habitat
It is a species that ranges from marine to freshwater region and is demersal in habit.

Distribution
It is distributed along the Indo-west Pacific. Found from seas of India to the MalayaArchipelago.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Jones and Sujansingani (1954). This

species is locally called as Aswa. It occurs mostly in central (eastern Nalabana area)
and outer channel sector of Chilika. It has no commercial value and treated as a
trash fish. The fishes found in the catches of screen barrier nets (Khanda jal) and inseine nets (Bhida jal).

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Tricanthus biaculeatus (Bloch, 1786)
Short-nosed tripodfish
Odia: Sukura

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Tetraodontiformes
Family : Tricanthidae
Genus : Tricanthus
Species : Triacanthus biaculeatus

Diagnostic features
The species has a deep and compressed body. Snout is moderately acute. Outline ofhead from base of first dorsal-fin spine to above eye an even slightly convex curve oralmost a straight line. Its skin is moderately thick with numerous scales not individually
easily discernible to the unaided eye, each scale bearing upright spinules and having a rough, shagreen-like appearance. Visible dorsal fin spine is 5; the 2nd much lessthan half the length of the 1st. Spiny dorsal-fin membrane very dark between first andthird spines and usually equally dark between third and fifth spines. Caudal fin deeply forked, caudal peduncle distinctly tapered. Pelvic fin represented by a large spine
which is movably articulated with anterior end of pelvis and capable of being locked
erect by a flange on they pelvis. Lateral line is inconspicuous.
D. V+23; A. 21; P. 13-14; V. I.

Habitat
The species inhabits in marine to brackish water environments, found in sandy coastal
areas, estuaries and lagoons; demersal in nature.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf eastward through Bay of Bengal to eastern Australia,
northward to southern Japan and China.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated324

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1917) which wascollected from Barkul Bay. The species is locally known as Sukura in Odia. It is acommonly occuring and resident species in Chilika, breeds in the lagoon. Averageannual yield is 244.84 tonnes valued at
Rs. 100.87 lakhs. The average sectoral
landings are of the order: Northern
sector > Central sector > Southern
sector > Outer channel sector. It is
economically important fish species,
used for local consumption. The unit
price is Rs 70-150/- kg. Most of thecatch registered through gill nets andthan in seine net (drag net). Year wise
Fig Y Annual landings of T. biaculeatusannual landings for 16 years during(Sukura) during 2001-02 to 2016-17
the post-restoration period (2001-02
to 2016-17) is depicted in Fig Y. Karnaet al. (2017) studied the length weight and length-length relations of the species
from the Chilika Lake.

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Abalistes stellaris (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Starry triggerfish
Odia: Chai

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Tetraodontiformes
Family : Balistidae
Genus : Abalistes
Species : Abalistes stellaris

Diagnostic features
Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-27; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays:
24 - 26. Scales enlarged above the pectoral fin base and just behind the gill slit toform a flexible tympanum; scales of posterior body with prominent keels, forming
longitudinal ridges. A prominent groove in the skin extending anteriorly from front ofeye for a distance of about 1 eye diameter. Caudal peduncle depressed. Caudal fin raysof adults prolonged above and below. Maximum length recorded 60cm (TL).

HabitatMarine; demersal; amphidromous

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Southeast Asia, north to Japan and south
to northern Australia. Eastern Atlantic: St. Helena and south coasts of Africa.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohanty et al. (2015) during the post-

restoration period of the lake. The species is locally known as Chai in Odia. The fish
is a casual visitor frequenting outer channel sector through the lake mouth andrarely in the southern sector through Palur canal. Although it has little commercial
value but is considered as a potential ornamental fish of marine origin. Its landing
is insignificant in the lake although it is generally caught in the outer channel inbarrier nets with net box traps. In the commercial landing the fish is included in
the miscellaneous group.

326

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteArothron immaculatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Immaculate puffer
Odia: Samudra Bengafula

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Tetraodontiformes
Family : Tetraodontidae
Genus : ArothronSpecies : Arothron immaculatus

Diagnostic features
The species has a heavy blunt body, rounded in cross section with large, broad and blunt
head. Back is broad. In jaws the teeth are fused into a beak - like dental plate with a mediansuture on each jaw, thereby giving the appearance of four heavy and powerful teeth, two ineach jaw. Eyes are situated in about the middle of the length of the head. The inter-orbital
space is broad and flat. Two imperforate tentacles are present on either side. Either jaw witha median suture. Teeth are of about equal size, two each in both jaws. Distal portion of all
fins are rounded. Dorsal fin is situated on the last third of the total length excluding thecaudal fin. Pelvic fin is absent. Dorsal, pectoral and anal fins are transparent and light yellow.
Dorsal, anal and caudal fins are with nine rays, while pectoral fin with 18 rays each. Caudal
fin is longer, about 1/4th of the total length. Body is covered with fine dermal spinules but
are absent on snout and posterior tail region (caudal peduncle). Whole body is greenish incolour, deeper above and dirty white below. Dorsal and anal fin are yellowish in colour but
pectorals are greenish-yellow. Caudal fin is yellow but upper and lower edges as well as end
is black. Moreover, the entire body is spotless, which is one of the significant characteristicof the species.

Habitat
The species is a marine and brackish water dwelling fish, found to be reef-associated.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Indonesia, north to southern Japan.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika Lake by Karna et al. (2016) which was collectedfrom the outer channel sector near Satapada area during September 2015 while ICARCIFRI, Barrackpore, Kolkata was undertaking field survey under ICAR-CIFRI/CDA-ICZM
Consultancy Project (2011-2017). The species is locally called as Samudra Bengafula.
The species is a new record for Chilika Lake and does not have much information specificto Chilika Lake.

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Chelonodon patoca (Hamilton, 1822)
Milkspotted pufferfish
Odia: Bengaphula Macha

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Tetraodontiformes
Family : Tetraodontidae
Genus : Chelonodon
Species : Chelonodon patoca

Diagnostic features
It has a short and robust body, n ostrils are with flaps. Mouth is terminal and small.
Small prickles are present on back and abdomen. Caudal fin rounded. Body colour
is almost dark brown to grey and ventrally whitish. Numerous rounds to ovate whitespots are present on the body except on the ventral parts. A broad streak of yellow
colour is found on lower sides of body. Three narrow dark bars are on the back.
D. 9-10; A. 8-10; P. 16-17.

Habitat
It found in marine, brackish and freshwater systems; reef-associated and perform
anadromous type migration.

Distribution
Widespread in Indo-Pacific region: East Africa to the Admiralty Islands, New Britain andTrobiand Islands, north to China, south to northern Australia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Chaudhuri (1917). It is one of thevery common Puffers in Chilika, locally called Bengaphula macha. Very poisonousto eat. Commonly found in the catch of screen barrier net (Khanda) of Satapada
region and rarely found in seine net in Satapada to Magarmuch area of Chilika. It is
not consumed by local people and its landing has not been estimated.

328

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteLeiodon cutcutia (Hamilton, 1822)
Ocellated pufferfish
Odia: Bengaphula Macha

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Tetraodontiformes
Family : Tetraodontidae
Genus : Leiodon
Species : Leiodon cutcutia

Diagnostic features
Body is short with rounded abdomen and blunt snout. Mouth is small and terminal;
both jaws with a median suture. One or two nostrils are present on each side in theform of short tube. Body covered with fine dermal spines. The upper lateral line is notreaching the tail, curved down above anal fin. Ventral fin is absent. All fins are rounded.
Body colour is greenish above and whitish below. A light band is present across eyes.
Greenish reticulations are on the back of body and a red spot is on the throat.
D. 7-13; A. 8-12; P. 21; C. 7.

HabitatA demersal species found in brackish and fresh water bodies follow potamodromous
type migration.

Distribution
Well distributed in Asia: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Malay Archipelago,
Mekong.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Rama Rao (1995). The species islocally known as Bengaphula macha in Odia, common Puffers in Chilika. The fish
is not used for food purpose due to its very poisonous characteristics. Commonly
found in the screen barrier (Khanda) catches in Satapada region; also found in theseine net catches in northern and central sector of Chilika.

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Diodon hystrix Linnaeus, 1758
Spot-fin porcupinefish
Odia: Jhinka Bengaphula

Systematic accounts
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Tetraodontiformes
Family : Diodontidae
Genus : Diodon
Species : Diodon hystrix

Diagnostic features
Porcupine fish have round, expandable, slender bodies with small fins. These fish lackpelvic fins, and the rounded dorsal and anal fins are positioned near the caudal fin.
Body coulour varies, but they are generally uniformly dull brown to green with the
body covered in small dark spots and markings, with a pale belly that is surrounded by
the dusky ring. The fish has large eyes and wide, flattened mouth.
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-17; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays:
14 - 16. Body robust; teeth united in each jaw but without a central division; bodycovered with long, sharp spines, folded backwards when body not inflated; 16 to 20
spines between snout and dorsal fin; dorsal region of caudal peduncle spiny (1 ormore small spines wholly on caudal peduncle); back, flanks and fins light brown withnumerous dark spots; belly spiny. Spines long. Body grayish tan, with small black spots,
but no large dark blotches. Belly white, surrounded by dusky ring. About 20 spines in
an approximate row between snout and dorsal fin. Maximum length recorded 91.0cm(TL) (Eschmeyer et al., 1983).

HabitatMarine; reef-associated; benthic on seagrass beds. Adults are generally found in holes
and crevices in inshore areas including lagoons, caves, shipwrecks, reefs, and ledges,
and are also found in seamount areas. They are found at depths up to 50 meters, mostcommonly between 3 and 20 meters. Juveniles are pelagic until reaching 20cm inlength, becoming benthic thereafter.

Distribution
Circumtropical. Eastern Pacific: San Diego, California, USA to Chile, including theGalapagos Islands. Western Atlantic: Bermuda, Massachusetts (USA), and northern
Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: 30°N to 23°S. Western Indian Ocean: Red
Sea to Madagascar, Reunion and Mauritius. The reports in the Mediterranean Sea are
doubtful.

330

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteIUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohanty et al. (2015) which wascollected from outer channel and near Arakhakuda fishing village. The species
is locally known as Jhinka Bengaphula in Odia. In Chilika Lake, the fish is rarely
found in the outer channel sector and often they are caught beyond Magarmukh
area. The fish has ornamental value to be maintained in the marine aquarium. The
fish has no commercial value and is considered as a non-food fish.

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Fenneropenaeus indicus (Millne Edwards, 1837)
Indian white prawn
Odia: Chilika Kantala

Systematic accounts
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Decapoda
Family : Penaeidae
Genus : Fenneropenaeus
Species : Fenneropenaeus indicus

Diagnostic features
Carapace hairless, Rostrum slender and long, with 7 to 9 teeth on dorsal margin and
4 to 6 teeth on ventral margin; blade of rostrum becoming moderately high in large
specimens; adrostral crest and groove extending as far as, or just beyond epigastric
tooth, post-rostral crest ending distinctly before posterior margin of carapace;
gastrofrontal and hepatic crests absent; gastro-orbital crest extending over posterior
2/3 of distance between hepatic spine and orbital margin; outer surface of laterallobes of petasma with a few rows of minute tubercles. Body pale pink to yellowish
in colour and semi-translucent with olive-green to grey-blue speckles; rostral andmiddorsal abdominal crests mostly brown, pereopods generally of same colour as
body; pleopods pink or red. Juveniles are whitish, with specks of same colour as adults;
rostral crest semi-translucent; pleopods whitish.

Habitat
It is a brackish water species, benthic in nature, dweels in 2 to 90 m water depths (insea).

Distribution
The species is well distributed in Indo-Pacific region.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)332

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Kemp (1915). The white prawn, locallycalled Chilika Kantala is one of the major contributors to the penaeid prawn fisheryof Chilika Lake (Jhingran and Natarajan, 1969). This species occurs as a benthic
organism in brackishwater of Chilika Lake within 0.3 – 5.0 m of water depth. About
60 % of landings of F. indicus from Chilika were exported to foreign markets asfrozen product earlier, but presently the export of this prawn has been reduced
due to increase in export of Letopenaeus vannamei from Odisha. Annual landings in
Chilika during post-restoration period
fluctuated in the range 317.95 tonnes(2002-03) to 1964.03 tonnes (201112) with an average for the period
1102.19 tonnes contributing 9.48 % to
the average annual landings (fisheries
output) and 26.73% to the averageannual prawn landings during the postrestoration period. The average annual
catch value of Chilika Kantala during thepost-restoration period was estimatedFig Z Annual landings of F. indicus (Chilika
at 220.6 million INR. Good catches are
Kantala) during 2001-02 to 2016-17
usually made between March-August.
The Kantala fishery in Chilika usuallycommences from March and extends up to August with peak in May-June. The
commercial Kantala fishery is chiefly contributed by two waves of incursions ofjuveniles during the period April-July and August-December. The April-July juvenile
wave is traceable to post-larval abundance in February (January-March) period. The
period of post-larval abundance also indicate approximately spawning periods andconcentrations of adults in the inshore / off-shore areas of Bay of Bengal adjoining thelagoon in that spawning month would make them vulnerable for capture if intensive
exploitation in sea is attempted. The major fishing gear for the prawn species isbarrier net and Dubi jaal (Trammel net). Central sector of the lake registered highest
landings followed by outer channel and northern sector. Maximum size of F. indicus
in Chilika Lake has been recorded as 140mm from outer channel. Over fishing anddecline in Kantala fishery has not been noticed during the post-restoration period.
Annual landings for 16 years during the post-restoration period (2001-02 to 2016-17)
is depicted in Fig Z. Ramakrishnaiah (1979) studied the post larval incursions andfisheries of penaeid prawns in Chilika Lake. Rao (1967) studied the biology of Penaeus
indicus and Penaeus monodon from Chilika Lake. The entire outer channel and thearea around the head of channel seem to form suitable substrats from benthic life of
the post-larvae before dispersion (Jhingran and Natarajan, 1966).

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Metapenaeus dobsoni (Miers, 1878)
Kadal shrimp
Odia: Chilika Panu

Systematic accounts
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Decapoda
Family : Penaeidae
Genus : Metapenaeus
Species : Metapenaeus dobsoni

Diagnostic features
Body lightly pubescent in patches. Rostrum long, extending a little beyond the tip of
the antennular peduncle, with 8-9 dorsal teeth and having a well marked double curve.
Anterolateral angles of the carapace without spine. The antennal spine is not verystrong and not continued backward as a strong ridge, so that the post – antennularsulcus is not so deep as in M. monoceros. The fifth abdominal somite about 2/3 length of
the 6th, which is a little shorter than the telson. The telson shorter than the endopod of
the uropod and without lateral marginal spines. The inner antennular flagellum longer
than the outer, exceeding its peduncle in length. All the legs are ciliated and the chelae
week. Strong spines present on the basis of all 3 pairs of chelipeds. The last pair ofthorasic legs donot nearly reaches the middle of the antennal scale. In the adult female
the last pair of thorasic legs is generally represented by a coxa to which is atticulated
a horny stump. No exopod on the 5th pair of legs. The petasma is quite symmetrical. In
the adults it consists of 2 rigid segments tightly folded in all their length, interlocked allalong their anterior margin. In adult female, the thelycum consists of a broad concave
median tongue. The species rarely exceeds 125 mm in total length.

HabitatThis is a brackish and marine species dwells within 1 - 37 m water depth (seaenvironment), benthic in nature.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: west coast of India to the Philippines and New Guinea.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)334

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Kemp (1915). Kadal shrimp, locallycalled Chilika Panu is the second highest contributor to the penaeid prawn fisheryin Chilika Lake forming 9.38 % to the average annual fisheries output and 27.13 %to the average annual prawn landings.
The species occurs in brackishwaterof Chilika within depth range 0.3 – 4.0
m. Presently, the entire catch of Panu
is marketed fresh in markets within
and outside the state. Annual landings
during the post-restoration period(2001-02 to 2014-15) fluctuated in
the range 801.07 tonnes (2008-09)
and 1716.29 tonnes (2011-12) withan annual average for the period at
Fig AA Annual landings of Metapenaeus
1118.64 tonnes. Maximum size of 70
dobsoni during 2001-02 to 2016-17mm has been recorded from Chilika.
Annual landings for 16 years during the post-restoration period (2001-02 to 201617) is depicted in Fig AA.

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Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius, 1798)
Speckled shrimp
Odia: Chilika Marada

Systematic accounts
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Decapoda
Family : Penaeidae
Genus : Metapenaeus
Species : Metapenaeus monoceros

Diagnostic features
Almost entire body pubescent which is restricted to dorsal part of carapace andabdominal patches; rostrum armed with 9 to 12 dorsal teeth along entire dorsal margin,
straight, reaching as far as, or beyond, tip of antennular peduncle; post rostral creast
reaching posterior margin of carapace; adrostral creast ending behind second rostral
tooth, adrostral groove behind epigastric tooth; telson armed only with spinules;
in adult males, merus of fifth periopod with a proximal notch followed by a long,
inwardly curved spiniform process and a row of tubercles; distomedian projectionsof petasma convoluted, greatly swollen, bulbiform, directed enterolaterally andconceling distolatral projections inventoral view. In adult females, enterior plate ofthelycum long and deeply grooved; lateral plates with strongly raised lateral margins
forming two longitudinal creasts. Body pink, green-greyish or whitish with brownspecks; rostral and middorsal abdominal crests brown; antennae red; pereopods
and pleopods of same colour as body, sometimes more intensely pink; distal part ofuropods purple-blue, external margin of exopods red. The species attains a maximum
length of about 180 mm.

HabitatA brackish water benthic species inhabits within 10 to 30 m water depths in sea
environment.

Distribution
Well distributed in South-east Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Indo-West Pacific.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)336

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Kemp (1915). Speckled / brown
prawn, locally called Chilika Marada is the largest contributor to the penaeid prawn
fishery in Chilika Lake forming 9.48 % to the average annual fisheries output and27.43 % to the average annual prawn
landings. The species occurs in Chilika
within depth range 0.3 – 4 m. Presently,
the entire catch of Marada is marketed
fresh in markets within and outside thestate. Annual landings during the postrestoration period (2001-02 to 201415) fluctuated between 624.23 tonnes(2002-03) to 1574.27 tonnes (2004-05)
with an annual average of 1131 tonnes.
The common modal size of the prawn in Fig AB Annual landings of Metapenaeus
the lake catches ranged from 60-90mm
monoceros during 2001-02 to 2016-17
but in southern sector a higher modal
value of 105mm has been observed. Annual landings for 16 years during the postrestoration period (2001-02 to 2016-17) is depicted in Fig AB.

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Penaeus monodon Fabricius, 1798
Giant tiger prawn
Odia: Chilika Bagada

Systematic accounts
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Decapoda
Family : Penaeidae
Genus : Penaeus
Species : Penaeus monodon

Diagnostic features
Carapace smooth, rostrum with 7-8 teeth on dorsal and 3-4 teeth on ventral margin;adrostral crest and groove extending as far as, or slightly ahead of epigastric tooth;
postrostral crest well developed, almost reaching posterior margin of the carapace,with or without a feeble median groove; gastrofrontal crest absent; antennal crest very
prominent, ending above middle of hepatic crest; gastro-orbital crest extending overposterior half, or less, of distance between hepatic spine and orbital margin; hepatic
crest straight, almost horizontal, distinctly separated from base of antennal crest; fifth
pereopod without exopod. Petasma (in males) with distomedian projections slightly
overhanging distal margin of costae; ventral costae generally unarmed, sometimes
minutely serrate at tip; outer surface of lateral lobes generally unarmed; inner surfaceof lateral lobes armed with spinules. Thelycum (in females) with lateral plates, their
median margin sometimes forming tumid lips; anterior process concave, roundeddistally; posterior process subtriangular, partly inserted between thelycal plates. Body
colour is green-grey to brown.

HabitatInhabits in marine and brackish water ecosystems; benthic in nature.

Distribution
Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Ocean: from southeast Africa and Pakistan to Japan, theMalay Archipelago and Australia.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)338

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteOther information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Kemp (1915). The giant tiger prawn,
locally called Chilika Bagada forms the most important Penaeid prawn fisheryin the lake occurring as a benthic organism in brackish water habitat within
depth range 0.3 – 5.0 m. Almost 90% of landings of this prawn is exported toforeign countries as frozen seafood
product. Annual landings during postrestoration period (2001-02 to 2014-15)
fluctuated in the range 265.72 (200102) tonnes to 847.99 (2011-12) tonnes
with an annual average for the period
at 493.55 tonnes. The prawn fetches
an average unit price of Rs.500/- kg(Rs. 5.0 lakhs/tonne at the landing
centres in the lake). Good catches are
Fig AC Annual landings of P. monodon
usually made between March and June (Chilika
Bagada) during 2001-02 to 2016-17
but may commence in February andextends to July. The commercial fisheryof the species is represented by participating ‘juvenile waves’. February-July wave
is by far more dominant accounting for nearly the entire fishery. The post-larval
abundance during October-January has a bearing on the success of this wave
(Jhingran and Natarajan, 1969). Northern sector of the lake registered highest
landings followed by outer channel and central sector. Split bamboo traps, barriernets with net box traps and trammel nets (Gill net) are the principal fishing gears
for the prawn. Maximum size of P. monodon in Chilika Lake has been recorded as300mm in the southern sector of the lake. Over fishing and decline in fishery has
not been noticed. Annual landings for 16 years during the post-restoration period(2001-02 to 2016-17) is depicted in Fig AC.

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Penaeus semisulcatus de Haan, 1844
Green tiger prawn
Odia: Sankhua Chingudi

Systematic accounts
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Decapoda
Family : Penaeidae
Genus : Penaeus
Species : Penaeus semisulcatus

Diagnostic features
Carapace and abdomen uniformly glabrous. More or less straight rostrum armed with
7 or 8 dorsal and 3 ventral teeth. Inclined downward and anteriorly hepatic carina.
White and red transverse stripes present as bands in the antennae. Adrostral carina
reaching well beyond epigastric tooth. Upper antennular flagellum larger than lower.
Maxilliped III reaching tip of basal segment as antennular peduncle. Abdomen dorsallycarinated from fourth somite. Telson unarmed. Maximum length recorded 18.0cm (TL)
(Holthuis, 1980).

Habitat
Bottom mud, sand. Depth 2 to 130 m. Marine (adults) and estuarine (juveniles).

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea, E. and S.E. Africa to Japan, Korea, the Malay Archipelago andnorthern Australia. Eastern Atlantic: The species has reached the eastern Mediterranean
through the Suez Canal; it is now found all along the coasts of Egypt, Israel, Lebanon,
Syria and southern Turkey.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Kemp (1915) which was collectedfrom outer channel near Satapada. The green tiger prawn, locally called Sankhua
Chingudi forms one of the commercial Penaeid prawn fishery in the lake with anestimated annual landing of 14.25 tonnes (2016-17). Both P. semisulcatus and P.
monodon apparently look similar except the colour. The shrimp is mostly marketed
locally at an average price of more than Rs.300/kg.

340

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteMacrobrachium malcolmsonii (H. Milne Edwards, 1844)
Monsoon river prawn
Odia: Golda Chingudi

Systematic accounts
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Decapoda
Family : Palaemonidae
Genus : MacrobrachiumSpecies : Macrobrachium malcolmsonii

Diagnostic features
Body and anterior two pairs of pereopods (chelipeds) dark grey, paler ventrally;antennae and inner flagella of antennules grey; outer flagella brownish. Rostrum
rather long, reaching to about of antennal scale, its tip slightly upcurved; basal partof dorsal margin rather high and crest-like, armed with 7 to 11 teeth of which theposterior 2 or 3 are placed behind the orbital margin; distal part of dorsal margin
toothless, except for 1 or 2 (sometimes up to 4) subdistal teeth; ventral margin with 4
to 7, usually 6, teeth. Hepatic spine situated at a lower level than antennal spine, noton the same horizontal line. Second pair of pereopods robust and equal in size; carpus
slightly, but distinctly longer than merus, 1 or 2 larger basal teeth on cutting edges offingers, no teeth on distal part of cutting edges and no tubercies in a row on either sideof the edges. Telson gradually tapering to a sharp point, without posterior margin; tipof telson overreaching posterolateral spines. In adult males, carapace with spinules
anteriorly; second pair of pereopods with a very short pubescence which is especially
distinct on the movable finger (except at its tip). Carpus is shorter than propodus.

Habitat
It is a benthic species inhabits fresh to salt waters, found mostly in rivers and estuaries.

Distribution
Well distributed in southern Asian regions. Also known from the eastern parts of Indianand Burma. In India the species is common in the Chilika Lake and peninsular rivers
that drain into the Bay of Bengal, Deltaic Bengal and rivers of Mahanadi delta. The fresh
water prawn fishery of the river Godavari is constituted mainly by this species.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)

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Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Kemp (1915). Monsoon river
prawn, locally called Golda chingudi is the second largest sized freshwater prawn
occurs in Chilika Lake which generally migrate from river Daya draining into thelake in northern sector. Maximum
landing of this prawn takes place
at Jaguleipadara, Kalupada andBhusandapur landing centres. The
active fishery season commencesin Chilika at the onset of monsoon,
when the flood water comes to thelake. The fishery remains active in thenorthern part of the northern sector.
The average unit price of Goldachingudi in Chilika has been Rs.260/
Annual landing of M. malcolmsonii fromkg in the recent years. Maximum size Fig ADChilika
during 2001-02 to 2017-18
of 200mm of this prawn has beenrecorded from Chilika Lake.

342

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteMacrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879)
Giant freshwater prawn
Odia: Golda / Gaja Chingudi

Systematic accounts
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Decapoda
Family : Palaemonidae
Genus : MacrobrachiumSpecies : Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Diagnostic features
Rostrum long and slender, usually extending distinctly beyond the antennal scale (especially in younger specimens); dorsal margin armed with 11 to 14 teeth, of which theposterior 2 or 3 are placed behind the orbital margin, 9 or 10 forming an elevated basal
crest; most of distal part of dorsal margin toothless or with only a few teeth (including
1 or 2 subdistal teeth); ventral margin armed with 8 to 14 teeth. Hepatic spine situateddistinctly below antennal spine, not on same horizontal line. Second pair of pereopods robust and of same size, with the carpus longer than the merus. Telson regularly
tapering to a sharp point, without a posterior margin, tip overreaching posteroplateral spines. In adult male, carapace smooth, second pair of pereopods spinous, cuttingedges of fingers with 1 or 2 large proximal teeth, rest of the edges entire without rowsof tubercles at either side; movable finger with a dense velvety pubescence, covering
it entirely except for the distal end, no pubescence on the rest of these legs, except for
scattered hairs. Carpus shorter than propodus. Dark grey, sometimes with longitudinal
or irregular streaks of darker and lighter colour; often orange patches at the articulations of abdominal somites. Largest pereopods of adult male bright or dark blue orlavender, orange at the joints, their pubescence grey. Eggs of berried females yellow.

Habitat
It is a benthic species inhabits in freshwater environments.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Asia and Oceania.

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)

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Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Kemp (1915). Giant freshwater
prawn, locally called Golda or Gaja chingudi is the largest freshwater prawn
occurs in Chilika Lake which generally
migrate from river Daya draining into
the lake in northern sector. Maximum
landing of this prawn takes place
at Jaguleipadara, Kalupada andBhusandapur landing centres. The
active fishery season commencesin Chilika at the onset of monsoon,
when the flood water comes to thelake. The fishery remains active in thenorthern part of the northern sector.
Fig AE Annual landing of M. rossenbergi from
The average annual landings of M.
Chilika during 2001-02 to 2017-18
rosenbergii during the post-restoration
period (2001-02 to 2014-15) has beenrecorded at 57.58 tonnes contributing 0.48 % to the total average fisheries outputof the lake and 1.28 % to the total average annual prawn and shrimp landings. The
annual catch fluctuated from minimum of 13.95 tonnes (2004-05) to 126.10 tonnes(2013-14). The prawn (scampi) is one of the prime exportable seafood products
being exported to foreign markets. The average unit price of Golda chingudi in
Chilika has been Rs.326/- kg in the recent years and the average catch valuation
during the post-restoration period (2001-02 to 2014-15) for the average annual
catch has registered 18.75 million INR. Maximum size of 270 mm of Golda chingudi
has been recorded from Chilika Lake.

344

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteMacrobrachium rude (Heller, 1862)
Hairy river prawn
Odia: Gandia Chingudi

Systematic accounts
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Decapoda
Family : Palaemonidae
Genus : MacrobrachiumSpecies : Macrobrachium rude

Diagnostic features
Rostrum straight and long with 10-17 dorsal teeth and 3-8 (usually 3-6 ventral teeth),reaching almost to about end of antennal scale; hepatic spine located at lower level
than antennal spine; posterior margin of telson distinct, with 2 pairs of spines; in adultmales 2nd pair of pereiopods very large and heavy, all segments covered with a shortand dense pubescence. Body colouration is translucent. The large legs of males aredark reddish to brown. Tips of pereiopods and distal half of uropods are dark brownish.

Habitat
The species inhabits in fresh to brackish waters, streams and rivers. It returns to the sea
to release larvae.

Distribution
Distributed in Southern Asia

IUCN Status
Least Concern (LC)Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Kemp (1915). Hairy river prawn,
locally called Gandia chingudi is the highest contributor to the total landings offreshwater prawns in Chilika. This is the common species in the freshwater prawn
fisheries of the lake. The species is dominant in the northern sector of the lake
during monsoon season. The average annual landings of the species during thepost-restoration period (2001-02 to 2014-15) has been recorded 212 tonnes
accounting for 1.78 % contribution to the average annual fisheries output during
the period and 4.80 % contribution to the average annual landings of prawn andshrimp landings from the lake.
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Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Flower crab / Blue swimming crab
Odia: Rani Kankada

Systematic accounts
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Decapoda
Family : Portunidae
Genus : Portunus
Species : Portunus pelagicus

Diagnostic features
Carapace rough to granulose, regions discernible; front with 4 acutely triangular teeth; 9teeth on each anterolateral margin, the last tooth 2 to 4 times larger than preceding teeth.
Chelae elongate in males; larger chela with conical tooth at base of fingers; pollex ridged.
Color: males with blue markings, females dull green.

Habitat
The species inhabits in brackish and marine waters and Reef-associated dwells within
depth range of 0 - 40 m.

Distribution
Distributed in Indo-Pacific region as well as in the Mediterranean.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Kemp (1915). The species is locallycalled as Rani Kankada, is a marine blue swimming crab which occurs in Chilika Lakeand contributes substantially to the landingsof portunid crabs during high saline period i.e.
during March-July. The species does not appear incommercial landings during monsoon and early
winter period. Annual landing of this portunid crab
in Chilika fluctuated during 2008-09 and 2014-15
from 28.53 tonnes (2008-09) to 209.18 tonnes(2014-15), averaging at 122.55 tonnes. Locally it isconsidered as a low priced marine crab but it is sent
to Andhra Pradesh in cooked and iced condition
Fig AF Annual landings of P. pelagicus (blueswimming crab) from Chilika Lake
where it sales at higher price. Local average unit
during 2001-02 to 2016-17
price is Rs 40/- kg.

346

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteScylla serrata (Forsskål, 1775)
Giant mud crab
Odia: Chilika Redha Kankada

Systematic accounts
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Decapoda
Family : Portunidae
Genus : Scylla
Species : Scylla serrata

Diagnostic features
Carapace smooth, with strong transverse ridges; H-shaped gastric groove deep;
relatively broad frontal lobes, all more or less in line with each other; broad anterolateral
teeth, projecting obliquely outwards. Well-developed present on outer surface ofchelipedal carpus and anterior and posterior dorsal parts of the palm. Color: carapace
green to almost black; legs may be marbled.

HabitatThis is a neritic and benthic organism, found on mud and sandy bottoms and also on
highly silty substrata and seagrass beds.

Distribution
Distribution is Indo-West Pacific

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

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Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Kemp (1915). Chilika Lake is known
in the country for mud crab production. Scylla serrata is commonly called Chilika
Redha Kankada (Odia), is the dominant mud crab species in Chilika accounting for
61.78 % in the average annual landings of mud crab during the post-restoration
period (2001-02 to 2015-16). Annual
landing of the species during theperiod fluctuated between 67.25
tonnes (2001-02) and 131.99 tonnes(2008-09), averaging at 96.88 tonnes
during the period. Largest size of maleand female Scylla serrata recorded from
Chilika Lake were 159 mm CW/0.68 kg
and 181 mm CW/0.83 kg respectively.
The minimum size at first maturity ofS. serrata in Chilika was estimated at 79
mm CW. Breeding season of this mud
Fig AG Annual landings of Scylla serrata (mud crab)from Chilika Lake during 2001-02 to 2016-17
crab species extends from AugustNovember. The crab breeds round theyear at less intensity and the juvenile
crabs are available throughout the year with peak during December-February.
Recruitment takes place during post winter (January-April). The active fisheries
for the species extend from February-October. Dominants size groups in thecommercial landings ranges from 61-90mm CW (54.3%) for males and 91-120mm
CW for females. Average unit price for Chilika mud crabs Rs.330/kg. Average annual
landings of Scylla serrata of Chilika Lake during the period 2001-02 to 2016-17 is
depicted in Fig AG.

348

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteScylla tranquebarica (Fabricius, 1798)
Purple mud crab
Odia: Chilika Sabuja Kankada

Systematic accounts
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Decapoda
Family : Portunidae
Genus : Scylla
Species : Scylla tranquebarica

Diagnostic features
Carpus of chelipeds with two obvious spines on distal half of outer margin. Frontal lobespines of moderate height (mean height c. 0.04 times frontal width measured
between medial orbital sutures), blunted with rounded interspaces; anterolateral carapace spines broad, with outer margin convex. Polygonal patterning weakon chelipeds and first two pairs of legs; last two pairs of legs with stronger patterningfor both sexes; patterning variable on abdomen of female, absent on male.

HabitatDemersal and occurs in estuarine / brackish water environment

Distribution
Well distributed in Eastern Indian Ocean, Northwest Pacific, Western Central Pacific:
Indo-West Pacific including shelf waters.

IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)

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Other information – Chilika specific
The species was first reported from Chilika by Mohanty et al. (2006). Scylla
tranquebarica is the largest size mud crab species in Chilika Lake. It is locally called
as Chilika sabuja kankada. This mud crab species forms 38.22 % in the annual
average mud crab landings. The largest
size Scylla tranquebarica recorded
from Chilika Lake during 2010 whosecarapace width was 234 mm andbody weight was 3.175 kg. Review
of literatures revealed that this size
was the largest recorded from Indian
waters so far. The minimum size at firstmaturity of this species was estimatedAnnual landings of Scylla tranquebarica
at 121mm CW. The breeding season Fig AH(mudcrab) from Chilika Lake duringof Scylla tranquebarica extends from2001-02 to 2016-17
March-June. Recruitment takes place
during monsoon (June-September). This species is highly sought for live export
to international markets. The average unit price of this mud crab species at Chilika
is Rs.450/- kg. About 40 % of this species weighing more than 300 g are usually
live exported through mud crab exporters of Chennai. Average annual landingsof Scylla tranquebarica of Chilika Lake during the period 2001-02 to 2016-17 is
depicted in Fig W.

350

ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstituteSPECIES INDEX
Finfishes
Page No.

Abalistes stellaris (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Balistidae)

326

Acanthopagrus berda (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sparidae)

244

Acanthopagrus longispinnis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sparidae)

2455

Acanthurus mata (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Acanthuridae)

303

Acanthurus triostegus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Acanthuridae)

304

Acentrogobius masoni (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

281

Ailia coila (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Schilbeidae)

126

Alectis indica (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

199

Alepes djedaba (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

200

Ambassis ambassis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Ambassidae)

178

Ambassis gymnocephalus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Ambassidae)

179

Amblygaster leiogaster (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

63

Amblypharyngodon mola (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

93

Anabas testudineus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Anabantidae)

308

Anguilla bengalensis (Actinopterygii: Anguliformes: Anguillidae)

56

Anguilla bicolor (Actinopterygii: Anguliformes: Anguillidae)

57

Anodontostoma chacunda (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

64

Aplocheilus panchax (Actinopterygii: Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheilidae)

158

Arius arius (Actinopterygii : Siluriformes: Ariidae)

134

Arothron immaculatus* (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae)

327

Atherinomorus duodecimalis (Actinopterygii: Atheriniformes: Atherinidae)

156

Atherinomorus lacunosus (Actinopterygii: Atheriniformes: Atherinidae)

157

Aurigequula fasciata (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Leiognathidae)

221

Brevitrygon imbricata (Elasmobranchii: Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae)

47

Brevitrygon walga (Elasmobranchii: Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae)

48

Butis butis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Eleotridae)

278

Carangoides ferdau * (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

201

Carangoides oblongus* (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

202

Carangoides praeustus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

204

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Caranx papuensis* (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

205

Caranx sexfasciatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

206

Gibelion catla (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

94

Chanda nama (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Ambassidae)

180

Channa marulius (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Channidae)

311

Channa punctata (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Channidae)

312

Channa striata (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Channidae)

314

Chanos chanos (Actinopterygii: Gonorynchiformes: Chanidae)

91

Chela cachius (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

95

Chelon parsia (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

144

Chelon planiceps (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

146

Chelonodon patoca (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae)

328

Cirrhinus mrigala (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

96

Cirrhinus reba (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

97

Clarias magur (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Clariidae)

130

Cociella crocodilus (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Platycephalidae)

176

Congresox talabonoides (Actinopterygii: Anguilliformes: Muraenesocidae)

58

Corica soborna (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

66

Crenidens crenidens (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sparidae)

246

Crenimugil seheli (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

151

Cynoglossus lida (Actinopterygii: Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae)

321

Cynoglossus lingua (Actinopterygii: Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae)

322

Cynoglossus puncticeps (Actinopterygii: Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae)

323

Datnioides polota (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Datnioididae)

232

Daysciaena albida (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

249

Dendrophysa russelii (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

251

Diodon hystrix (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Diodontidae)

330

Drepane punctata (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Drepaneidae)

263

Drombus globiceps (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

282

Dussumieria elopsoides (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Dussumieriidae)

62

Echeneis naucrates (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Echeneidae)

197

Eleotris fusca (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Eleotridae)

279

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ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstitutePage No.

Eleotris melanosoma (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Eleotridae)

280

Eleutheronema tetradactylum (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Polynemidae)

260

Elops machnata (Actinopterygii: Elopiformes: Elopidae)

53

Ephippus orbis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Ephippidae)

293

Epinephelus coioides (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Serranidae)

184

Epinephelus lanceolatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Serranidae)

185

Epinephelus malabaricus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Serranidae)

187

Epinephelus tauvina (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Serranidae)

189

Escualosa thoracata (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

67

Esomus danrica (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

98

Etroplus suratensis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Cichlidae)

274

Eusphyra blochii (Elasmobranchii: Carcharhiniformes: Sphyrnidae)

43

Favonigobius reichei * (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

283

Gerres erythrourus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gerreidae)

234

Gerres filamentosus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gerreidae)

235

Gerres limbatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gerreidae)

236

Gerres macracanthus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gerreidae)

237

Gerres oyena (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gerreidae)

238

Gerres phaiya (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gerreidae)

239

Gerres setifer (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gerreidae)

240

Glossogobius giuris (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

284

Gonialosa manmina (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

68

Gudusia chapra (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

69

Hemiramphus far (Actinopterygii: Beloniformes: Hemiramphidae)

162

Heteropneustes fossilis (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Heteropneustidae)

132

Hilsa kelee (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

70

Himantura uarnak (Elasmobranchii: Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae)

49

Hippocampus fuscus (Actinopterygii: Syngnathiformes: Syngnathidae)

167

Hyporhamphus limbatus (Actinopterygii: Beloniformes: Hemiramphidae)

164

Ichthyocampus carce (Actinopterygii: Syngnathiformes: Syngnathidae)

169

Ilisha elongata (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Pristigasteridae)

88

Ilisha megaloptera (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Pristigasteridae)

89

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Johnius amblycephalus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

252

Johnius belangerii (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

253

Johnius borneensis * (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

255

Johnius carutta (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

257

Johnius macropterus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

259

Labeo boga (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

99

Labeo gonius (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

101

Labeo rohita (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

102

Lates calcarifer (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Latidae)

182

Laubuka laubuca (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

103

Leiodon cutcutia (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae)

329

Leiognathus equulus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Leiognathidae)

222

Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cobitidae)

114

Lethrinus lentjan * (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Lethrinidae)

225

Lutjanus argentimaculatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Lutjanidae)

226

Lutjanus indicus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Lutjanidae)

227

Lutjanus johnii (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Lutjanidae)

228

Lutjanus kasmira (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Lutjanidae)

229

Lutjanus rivulatus* (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Lutjanidae)

230

Macrognathus aral (Actinopterygii: Synbranchiformes: Mastacembelidae)

170

Macrognathus pancalus (Actinopterygii: Synbranchiformes: Mastacembelidae)

171

Mastacembelus armatus (Actinopterygii: Synbranchiformes: Mastacembelidae)

172

Megalaspis cordyla (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

207

Megalops cyprinoides (Actinopterygii: Elopiformes: Megalopidae)

54

Monodactylus argenteus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Monodactylidae)

242

Monodactylus kottelati (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Monodactylidae)

265

Mugil cephalus (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

152

Muraenesox bagio (Actinopterygii: Anguilliformes: Muraenesocidae)

59

Muraenesox cinereus (Actinopterygii: Anguilliformes: Muraenesocidae)

60

Mystus cavasius (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Bagridae)

115

Mystus gulio (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Bagridae)

117

Mystus vittatus (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Bagridae)

119

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ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research InstitutePage No.

Nandus nandus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Nandidae)

266

Narcine timlei* (Elasmobranchii : Torpediniformes: Narcinidae)

46

Nemapteryx caelata (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Ariidae)

136

Nematalosa nasus (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

72

Notopterus notopterus (Actinopterygii: Osteoglossiformes: Notopteridae)

51

Nuchequula blochii (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Leiognathidae)

223

Oligolepis acutipennis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

285

Ompok bimaculatus (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Siluridae)

121

Ompok pabda (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Siluridae)

123

Opisthopterus tardoore (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Pristigasteridae)

90

Oreochromis mossambicus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Cichlidae)

276

Oryzias dancena (Actinopterygii: Beloniformes: Adrianichthyidae)

166

Osteobrama peninsularis (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

104

Osteogeneiosus militaris (Actinopterygii : Siluriformes: Ariidae)

137

Osteomugil cunnesius (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

149

Oxyurichthys microlepis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

286

Pachypterus atherinoides * (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Schilbeidae)

127

Pangasius pangasius (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Pangasiidae)

129

Parambassis ranga (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Ambassidae)

181

Pastinachus sephen (Elasmobranchii: Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae)

50

Pelates quadrilineatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Terapontidae)

268

Periophthalmus kalolo (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

287

Pethia ticto (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

105

Photopectoralis bindus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Leiognathidae: )224

Planiliza macrolepis (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

141

Planiliza melinopterus (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

143

Planiliza subviridis (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

148

Platax orbicularis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Ephippidae)

295

Platycephalus indicus (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Platycephalidae)

177

Plotosus canius (Actinopterygii : Siluriformes: Plotosidae)

139

Pomadasys argenteus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Haemulidae)

242

Pomadasys kaakan (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Haemulidae)

243

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Psammogobius biocellatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

289

Pseudorhombus arsius (Actinopterygii: Pleuronectiformes: Paralichthyidae)

316

Pseudorhombus micrognathus (Actinopterygii: Pleuronectiformes: Paralichthyidae)
Pseudorhombus triocellatus (Actinopterygii: Pleuronectiformes: Paralichthyidae)

317
318

Pterois radiata (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae)

173

Puntius chola (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

107

Puntius sophore (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

109

Rachycentron canadum (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Rachycentridae)

195

Rasbora daniconius (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

111

Rhabdosargus sarba (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sparidae)

247

Rhinomugil corsula (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

154

Rhynchobatus djiddensis (Elasmobranchii: Rajiformes: Rhinobatidae)

45

Salmostoma bacaila (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

112

Scatophagus argus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Scatophagidae)

297

Scoliodon laticaudus (Elasmobranchii: Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae)

42

Scomberoides commersonnianus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

208

Scomberoides lysan (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

209

Scomberoides tala (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

210

Scomberoides tol (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

211

Selar boops (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

212

Selar crumenophthalmus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

214

Selaroides leptolepis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

216

Siganus canaliculatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Siganidae)

298

Siganus javus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Siganidae)

300

Siganus vermiculatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Siganidae)

301

Sillaginopsis panijus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sillaginidae)

191

Sillago sihama (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sillaginidae)

192

Sillago vincenti (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sillaginidae)

194

Silonia silondia (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Schilbeidae)

128

Solea ovata (Actinopterygii: Pleuronectiformes: Soleidae)

319

Sphyraena jello (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sphyraenidae)

305

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Sphyraena obtusata* (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sphyraenidae)

307

Sphyraena putnamae (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sphyraenidae)

306

Sphyrna lewini (Elasmobranchii: Carcharhiniformes: Sphyrnidae)

44

Stolephorus commersonnii (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

78

Stolephorus dubiosus (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

79

Stolephorus indicus (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

80

Strongylura strongylura (Actinopterygii: Beloniformes: Belonidae)

159

Systomus sarana (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

113

Taeniamia macroptera* (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Apogonidae)

273

Taenioides anguillaris* (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

290

Tenualosa ilisha (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

74

Tenualosa toli (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

76

Terapon jarbua (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Terapontidae)

270

Terapon puta (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Terapontidae)

271

Terapon theraps (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Terapontidae)

272

Tetraroge niger (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Tetrarogidae)

174

Thryssa hamiltonii (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

81

Thryssa malabarica (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

82

Thryssa mystax (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

83

Thryssa polybranchialis (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

84

Thryssa purava (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

85

Thryssa setirostris (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

86

Thryssa vitrirostris (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

87

Trachicephalus uranoscopus* (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Synanceiidae)

175

Trachinotus baillonii * (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

218

Trachinotus botla * (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

219

Trachinotus mookalee (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Carangidae)

220

Triacanthus biaculeatus (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Tricanthidae)

324

Trichogaster fasciata (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Osphronemidae)

221

Trichogaster lalius (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Osphronemidae)

310

Trypauchen vagina (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

291

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Page No.

Upeneus sulphureus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Mullidae)

262

Valamugil speigleri (Actinopterygii: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae)

155

Wallago attu (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Siluridae)

125

Xenentodon cancila (Actinopterygii: Beloniformes: Belonidae)

161

Yongeichthys criniger (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae)

292

Zebrias synapturoides * (Actinopterygii: Pleuronectiformes: Soleidae)

320

Shellfishes
Page No.

Fenneropenaeus indicus (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Penaeidae)

332

Macrobrachium malcolmsonii (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Palaemonidae)

341

Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Palaemonidae)

343

Macrobrachium rude (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Palaemonidae)

345

Metapenaeus dobsoni (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Penaeidae)

334

Metapenaeus monoceros (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Penaeidae)

336

Penaeus monodon (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Penaeidae)

338

Penaeus semisulcatus (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Penaeidae)

340

Portunus pelagicus (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Portunidae)

346

Scylla serrata (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Portunidae)

347

Scylla tranquebarica (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Portunidae)

349

358

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