THF, STATUS OF FRESHWATERFISH FAUNA IN

GawsiaWahidunnessa Chowdhury Departmentof Fisheriesand Marine Science NoakhaUScience and Technology Universiry Sonapur,Noaknali, Bangladesh enail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Fishbiodivcrsity in thefieshwaters ofBarslad€sh hss been reliewed ifl thispap€r. The total numbcl offLcshwatcrfislr spccies r€corded as 251 Exc€ssiv€use ol'aquaticresources h the main thrcat to tlrc and fisleries resourcesof Bdngladcsh.Rcconmendarions are nade for rcgistrarion,proper documontationand scientific research on lohthyodjvcnityin freshwarerhabitars ]n Bangladesh.

K€y words:, habils, habnats.

INTRODUCTION liesbwatcl, 442 marine fish . The Bangladeshis the countryof rivers, diverse knowledge o[ the freshwaterfish fauna of aquaticwcalih and climate suitable for highyields Brndlades\ began wirh rhe sork of Fmn.rs published and consjdcrablcincrcase in fish production.The Hamilton in 1822.Tlrc Dcxt scienrific majorrjver syslens (the Canges, Brahmaputra and uccountof the fish launa o[ thc Indian sub- Meghna)llow into the seathrough Bangladesh. A continentincir.ding Bangladeshwas done by iairly lJrge number of big rivers wirh lhcrr FrancisDay during 1875-78.Oiher authorswho tributari€sand branches criss-cross€d the counlry. confiibuted significantly to thc siudies of AII thcscrivers hav€ extehsive iloodpiains alo g ffeshwai€rfish faunaof Bangladcshand are LheircoJr5r ir Bangladeshn land fiiheries Shaw and Shebb€are(1937), Ahncd (1953), (1964), productioris an integratedsystem in the rivers, Bhuiyan Shafiand Quddus (2001), Talwar floodplainsand oihernatwal depressions(locally ard Jhingmn(1991) and Jayaram (i999). Rahman knownas beels and haors), all connectedby canats (2005) recordedas many as 265 speciesof (khals). Due to cxtensiv€water and land re- fieshwatcrfishes in Bangladoshbelonging to 154 nodelling efforts in the natneof conirol, generaand 55 families. drainageand inigation projects, wetlandsof OBSERVATIONS Bangladeshhave drasiically ciranged the country's i hc Ddperirclude. 251 fteshwalerspec e. In waterbodiesand landscape.It has alteredand 61 families lmdff t7 orders. The systematic nodifiedthe natural and ecosystems of thc arangemeni of lreshwater fish tauna aqxaticfauna and flora of the counlry. of Bangladeshhas been preFred hereon lre basisof There are about 29,000 speciesof fishes thedirection followed by Nelson(1994) with slight worldwide. In Bangladesh,there are 251 modificalionin certaintaxa. As for examplethe trcoPRINT VOL 14, 2007 19 Snake-headfamily. Channida€,has beenplaced Family:Megalopidae under order Channiformeswhich was caLlier :Megalo?s Lacepede, 1803 3. Megalopscyprinoides (Broxssonct 1782) placedxnder a slb ordc.ofPefcifornes by Nclson f,nglish namcs: lndo-Paci{]c Taryon, Oxeye (l994). Thesystemofprcscntrtionof classificalion Tarpon nr this paperis the arrangcmentof ofdersand Locrl nn'nc:NanchiL Koral fatnilicsphylogenetically foliowing princjpally t-hc Habirs rnd h.hirsr\: r ocs(1rpcd8tr .f.1ie.. work of Jo an (1923),Creenwood et at. (t966), entersestuaries, lagoons and freshvaters. Feeds Nelson(1994) and FAO Irislbasedata. The genera on snall crustaceansand fisl1es. Order: Anguilliformes and specjes under each family are affarged Fa'nily:Anguillidac alphabetically.All the orders,lamilies, genxs and Genusr,4rgril/dSchrank, I 798 spccieshave been arrangcd by a serialnumber rn 4. Angli a be,galensii(Gfty 183t) thispater. Englishnrrnes: Giant Mo[led Eci, ]ndianLongfin Bcl The $cshwater fishesoI Bangladeshexhibir Local names:Bamosh, Uanehara, Baow Brim enornrousdiversity tu tlcir moDhology,in rheir Habits rnd htbit:tts: Denrcrsal,crtadromo(s, hdbiLdr:nnd theri brologv.AboLr t6 ste! cr. activeat nighl, FcodsoD a wide rangcof preyj belonging!o 4 families,recordcd as exoticjwere cspeciallycmbs, lrogs and fish. inuoduccdin the counrry during fic lAst five Family:Morirguidac Genus:Morn?gra Cmy, 183| decadcs. fhese includc, Arnong othc$, the 5. Motinexara ita horud (Haflilton I 822) ComnionCarp, Silvcf C-ary,Crass Cary. Nilolica Unglish ameiPLrrylc Spaghetticcl andPiranhA. These specics hrle havebccn largely Localnrmer Rata lioNa intrcducedin thc closed\ratcr llsh culturesystcms Hrbitsrnd hrbit'otsrBottoin-dwellilg cu ri!ofe. of thc country. These cxotic fishes, As have subsistiognralnly on a fishdiet. succcssflrlly cst6blished thensclves in thc l'amily:MurAcnidae Gcnrs: Cy n no t h o ru x Bloclt, 17 9 5 frcshwaterhabilal.s, hnve been includcd in thislisi. 6. q)mnathorc;ctile (li'l.t11tltot11822) Englhhnrmer Moray Del FRDSHWATER FISHESOF B,lNGLADESII Locll nrmci Bamosll Phylum:Chordata H:rbitsand hrbitrts: Esiuaricsand dver rnoulhs. Clrss:Osteichthycs D€m€rsal;anadronrous. Carnivorous, feeds nra,,ry Ordcr: Ost€oglossifonnes F:rmily:Notopteridae Fanily: Mumenesocidac Genus:Crtala Fowler,1934 Gcnus:Consl"ro.r Cill, 1890 '1. (,C\yier 1. ChndldchitaLa (H^mihort 1822) CanEranxtalaban 1829) lnglish nan$: Humped Fc,rtherback,Clown Cnglishname: Yellow Pike Conger KniteFish Local n:rmc:Kamila Localnan$: Chital,Cherol. Chitna Habits and habitats:Noctrmal, lecds on benthic Il.tbits and hrbitats: Dcmersal, camivor€, tishesard .Ascends tidal rivcrs.Liyes piscivoreaDd predator. in coastalwa!e$ and esbaries ovcr the sofl boftorn Genus:Ndloplerus Lacepedc, 1800 downto about100 m. 2.Notopterus natopterut (Pall^s t769) L Consrcsortalabonoides (Bleekcr 1853) Englishname: crey Feathc$ack Englishnrmc: lndianPike Conger Localnanes: Foli, Pholui, Haila, Kanla Loctl name:Kamila H,rbitsand habitats:A predaroryand camivorous Habits and habitats:Nocturnal, feeds mainly on fish. bentlicfishes and crustaceans- A fish ofthe Bavor Order: Elopifomes Bengal,ascends iidal rivers.

20 ECOPRINI vOL 14, 2007 Gen$. MurueiesoxMcclclland, 1843 Locfll name:Choukka 9. Muraene.sorbaqio (Hamihon 1822) Habits and habitats: Euryhaline,anadronous, English narnes: Common Pike Conger,False peldgic.pl"nlroo feeder. f.cds on.mJll plJitronic CongerEel organisms,especially diatdms. Localnames: KamiLa, Kamilay Genus:?sfirdlo.'a Fowler, 1934 Habits and habitats:Demersal, oceanodromous. 16. Tenualasailisha (H^mlltotl, 1822) Solitarycarniaore. F€eds on bcnlhic lishesand Englishnamcs: River Shad, Hilsa Shad crustac€ans.rV. l]oaro is noclumalin habit Local names:Iiish, llsha Family:Ophichthidae Eabits and habitats: Marine, pelagic and Genus:?aorlorol,is Kaup,1856 schooling h coastal waten, anadromousand 10.Pisodotlophh boro (Hamilion, 1822) ascendsrivers lar abovetidal inlluence. trnglishnamcs: Ricc PaddyE€I, Boro Snake-eel, 17. Tenuabsatoli (va1et'ciennes,I 847) Bcnsal'sSnaks Eel Englishn!mes:Toli Shad,Shad Local namcsrKha r, Hijra , Local name:Chandona Ilish H.bits and habitats: Carnivorous,subsisling Hrbits and habitafs: Euryhalin€,anadromous, mrinly on a lish diet. Fooditams consisl of small pelagic,schooling in coastalwaters. Feeds on bo,ryfish. crustaceans and cephalopods. ,mainly by iilter-feeding,but apparently 11. Pisodonophis cahcrivarr.r (Richaidson, 1844) Alsoby grubbingon lhe muddyboltonrsl diatoms, Englishname: Longfin Snake Eel protozoans,crustaceans, molluscs and tunicates arc Locnl name:Baim recordedfood ite s. Ilubits and hrbitatsr Reef'associated;FamilyrEngra iida€ anadromous,snakelike body cDablingthem to Ccnus:Coilia Cray, 1830 ncgoliateseemingly inacccssible areas to hunt ibl 18.Cailia dussuftie Yalenciennes,I848 foodor !o escapeliofl enemies. Englishnamer Gold SpotiedGrenadicr Anchovy Order: Clupeiformes Local name:Olua Fflmily:Clupeidae Hrbits rnd habitah: FoundiD csluariesand the GenusrCortu,r Handlion, 1822 Bay of Bcngal. Enters tidAl rivcrs. Feedson 12. Corica sobarka tl,l.milrot1,1822 copepods,prawns and fish lArvac, Englishnnme: Gaflges River-sprat larvaeand polychsete la ae, Local nnmcsiKachki, Subama-kharika 19. Coilia rumcarati (Harilton, 1822) Hnbits rnd habitah: Moves ir groupsat the English names: RamcaratCrenadier Anchovy, surfaceof rivers and lakcs.Feeds primarily on TapclarlAncho!}. RaFtailcdAnclory zooplanklonand also somc invcrlebrales. Local names:Megha Olus, Olua Genus:Oorlalora Rcgan, l9l7 Habih and habitats:A schoolingspecies found in 13.Ganialosa manmina (Hamilton, I822) coastalwate$, estuades and tidal rivers.Fceds on Englishnamer River Gizzad Sbad copepods,pra$,rN and fish larvac, cruslacean Local namcsichapila, Goni Chapila larvaeand polychaclc larvae. Habits and habitats: Pelagic;amphidromous; Cenus:Grdrsia Fowler, l9l1 planldonfeeders. 20. Gudusia chapru (Hat1]'llton,1 822) Ccnus:1/irla Richardson,I 846 Englishnamc: Indian River Shad 14. I lisha megalo?tera(Swainsol,, 1839) Locrl names: Chrpila. Sui)a. Su\ia. Gu i. Etrglishname: Bigeye Ilisha Chaipla,Khaira Locrl name:Choukka Habits tnd habitats: Omnivorousand surface Habitsand habitafs:F€eds on fishes,crustaceans, feed€r. Feeds mainly on phltoplanktoD, amphipods,occasionally polycbaetcs, tunicaies and zooplankion,debris, and malters. smallamounts ofalgae and diatorns. Livesin shoals. Genus:Pel1oud Valenciennes, 1847 cenus: SeriD,"rdSwainson, 1839 15.PeUona ditchela Valendennes, 1847 2l . Setipinnaphasa (Ham;lton, 1822) Englishnanes: Indian Pellona, Big-eyed Hening Englishnane: GangeticHairlin Ancho!A

ECOPRINT VOL14, 2OO? zl Local nam€s:Phasa, Phasa Kara, Phallsa,Tet- Habits and habitatsrC. irar,rs is an extremely vomcious predator wilh an ability to nove Habits and habitats:An onxivore.Feeds mainly ov€rland for short distances.Consumes primaily on unicellularand multicellularalgae, protozoans fishes, hogs, snakes, , earthworms and tadpol€s.The speciesis cannibalisticsince small 22.Setipinna taty (Yalenciennes, 1848) snakeheads often become prey for larger Englishname: Scaly Hairln Ancho]y Local namc:Teli Phasa 27. Channaorientalis Bloch and Scheidei, 18 0 l Habitsand habitats:An omnivore.Feeds mainly English namesi Asiatic Snakehead,Walking on uniceilularand muiticellularalgae, protozoans Snak€head andcrustaceans. Adults feed mostly on mysidsard Local names:Gachua, Raga, Ragha, Cheng Habits and habitatsi C. o entalisusually hides Genus:rrry.rra Cuvier, 1829 under the cover of marginal rools of aquatic 23. Thryssapurcya (Hzmilron, t822) veg€tation.It can tolente stagnant,poofly Dnglish namesrOblique Jaw Thryssa,Oangetic oxygenaled.firbid and \cry foul warcrconrJrnrng city wastes(Rahman,2005).It h LocalnameiFasha an amphibiousmode of life and can remalnalile Habits and habitah: Inhabits coastalwarers, oul of waterfor a longlime. It js a voraciouseater pelagicj presumablyschooling, mostly inshore, andis attractedby anymoving bait. lt feedsla€ely ableto iolemtelow salinityin estuadnecondiiions. on rnsects,crustaceans and small fish, It is F€edson diatomswhen young and pmwn larvae, carnivorousand destoys eSgsand ffies ol oihcr copepodsand C),pr";.ewhen aduh. fishes. Orderr Oonorh),nchiformes 28. Channapunctatus (Bloch, 1793) FamllyrChanidae Englishname: Spotted SDakehead GenusrCrdro,t Lacepede, 1803 Local names:Taki, Lata, Lati, Okol,Chaitan 24. Chanoschahas (Forssk l,177 5) Hrblts and hsbltatsiGreai pr€dators. Oviparous; Inglish name:Milkfish caDrivoroustsolitary or in pairs.highb gregrrjous Locll namerChanos Macbh whenyoung. Young (1.5-3.0 lrm) feed prnnafily on Ilrbits andhabitals Berrhopclng.c. catadfomous. zooplankton,with rotifers,insecrs and crustacean LaNaecrt zooplanklon;juvenilcs and adultseaL larvae constiluiing most of the diet. Adults cyanobacieria/blue-grccn algacr.soft algae,small consumefishes. insccts. and rqualc \cdeurion, benrhi{inveflcbrares. and even fclagrc fish eggs Thespecies is anopportunistic feeder. 29, Channastiatus (Blo.h, l'793) Order: Channiformes English namcs. S.lakeheadMunet. Strinp€d FamilyrCbannidae Snalehcad Genus. ChanhaScopol:t, 1771 Local namcrShol 25 . Channaharca (Hal:rlttron,tB22) Habits and habitatsrTh€ fish is camivorousand Habiis and habit s: Benrt-opetag:c:cubsisrson a lariery of liv ng crerrurecnclLrd ng potamodromous.The species is camivorous, flshes, ftogs, snakes,insects, eadhwonns and preferslivc food but it has a peculiarhabii of tadpotes. travellinginto musrardplanl fields to eat the Order: Cpriniformes Fanilyi Cy?rinidae Englishname: Barca Snakehead Gentx|Amblpharyngodo, Bleeker, i860 30.Anblwharyusodon Local namesiPipla, Tila Shol,Tila n c,,o/ep,r(Bie€ker 1853) Englishname: Indian Carplel 26. Channanar lir6 (Han.'itrou,tB22) Local name:Mola English namesi ciaDr Snakehead,Bullseye Habits and habitats:An omnivore.Surface and Snakehead,Cr€at Snakehead, Cobra Snakehead colunm feeder. Feeds unjceilular algac, Local names:Gajar, cajal, cajari protozoans,rotifers and crustaceans,debris and 22 ECOPRTNTVOL 14, 200? plant parts.Moves in shoalsalong the surtace. Hrbits and habitats:BenfiopeLagic. A voracious 31.Anblphatyhgadon mola (Hamilton, 1822) litlie flsh.Feeds on otherfishes, insects, etc Englishnanesi Mola Carplel,Pale CarPl€t 38-Banlius bendelisis (Hamiilon, I 807) Local names: Mola, Moa, Molongi, Mowka, Englishname: Hamilton's Barila Moraru, Mo$'rala,Moucii Local names:Joia, Hiralu, Ti1a, Chedra, Koksa H.bits and habitats:An olnnivorc'Surface and Habilr and habilars: Benlhopclagic colunn feeder. Fceds unicelLular aigae, potamodromous.Feeds on aqualrc mrcroorganNms' p.otozoans,rotifers and cruslaceans,debris and plant pats. Moves in shoalsthrough ihe surface 39. Rarilius shacra (Hamilton, 1822) Ccnus:,4,";rricilrF Oshima, 1919 Englishnamer Shacra Baril 32.ArLstichtbls nobili\ (Richardson,1844) Local names:Koksa, Saku Koksha Englishname: Bighead Cal? Habitsand habitats:Benthopelagic, lives in hilly Localnamci Bigh€ad streamswith a bed of rooksand gravels. Feeds on Habits and habitats:Bighead Carp is beingable algae,detritus and other benthicorganisms to tolerat€watcl temperaturcsof 0.5-38"C.It 40. Balilius tileo (Ha'Jilton. ISZZ) andresenoir!. Thrs Englishname: Tileo Baril rniJbirshkes, ri\ers "pecies nonnally dwells in the upper layer of Ure water Local namesiTila,Tila Koksa,Patharchata coLumnand prefcrs high f€ftilily rtater with H.bits and habitats:Benthopelagic, abuodantnatural food, Feeds on alg6e, detritus and other benthic Ccn.'s AspidopariaHe}kel, 1843 organisms.Inhabils rivers and streamsadjoinmg 33. Aspitlopatiaj aya (Hamihon, I 822) hillswith gravellyand rccky boxtoms. Englishname: Jaya 4l, Rarilius vagrc (Harnilton, 1822) Local damesrJayA, Peali, Peashi Engllshnames: Vagra Baril, Hill Trout Habih and habitats: Benthopelagic.InhAbils Local names:Koksa, Khoksa, Vagra, Vegra rivers, streams and in plains and Habitsand habitats:Bentbopelagic, mountamousrcgrons, F€eds on algae, detrihE and other bonlhic 34.Aspidoparia norur (Hamilton,1822) organisms, Engllshnamor Aspidopara GenusrEexgdla Oray, 1833 Local names:Morari, Morar 42. Bengalaelanga (Han:.ilton.1822) Habtts lnd habitats: Benlhopelagic.Inbabit8 Edglishnamci Bengala Barb Local names:Elong, S€phatia, Elanga Genwt Bafionymus Koltelat, 1999 Hablta and habitats: Pel6gic, demersal, 35.Barbonynus gonionotur (Bl€eker, 1850) omnivorous.Main food comprisesaquatic imects, Englhh name;Java Barb algae,and protozoans, Local nam€srThai Sarpunti,Rajpunli cenus: CdtlaVal€nciennes, I844 Habits and habitah: Benthopelagic; 43. Catla catla (Haj.ni],Ion,1822) polamodromous.Feeds on plan! maiters (€.9. Englhh namcrCatla leaves,weeds, Iponea reptans and Hrati a\ 3'nd Local namesrCaild, Kaial inveriebrates. Inhabits rivers, lakes, and other Habits and habitats:Occurs in rivets,lakes and culture ponds. Surfaceand nid-water feeders, Genus:Aarirrr Hanilton,1822 mainly omivorous with juveniles feeding on 36. barila (Hamilton, 1822\ insecls,detritus and ph)4oplankton.Main tbod Englishnnme: Barred Barila consistsofalgae, crustac€ans and higher Local namesiBarali, Koksa Genus:Crdgrrtrr Snith, 1938 E,rbits and habitats: Benthopelagic.Feeds on 44.Chagutliux chagunio (Hamilton, 1822) aquaiicvegelations, crustaceans and larvae. English names:Chaguni (India), Medium Cary 37. Batilius bana (Jfamilton, 1822) o\lepal) Englishnamer Bama Bail Local namcs:Jama, Utli Local namcs:Koksa, Bani Koksa

ECOPRINT VOL 14, 2OO7 Habits and habitats: Adulrs prefer io stay rn insects and other inverlebrales.Adults dre rivers with rocky bottonrsand strongcurrents exclusivclyherbivorous vbereas the juveniles Feedson insects,algae and d€tritusaround rocks subsistonzooplanklon and other animalmatter rd boulder..large. clcar waref.ldcr flowing Genus:C]]?rirrs Linnaeus, 1758 slreams with rocky and gravelly botroms are 5l . CyprinusNa,?io Linn ets, l 758 Etrglish name: Corunon Carp Cerus: CreldHamilton, 1822 Local names:Carpu, Carphu 4s. Chetacachiu' (Hamilton, 1822) Habits and habitats: This fish is omnivorous, Englishname: Silver Hatchet Chela teedingnainly on aquaticinsccts, crustaceans, Local nam€s:Chcp Chela, Kacbni annelids.molluscs. secdc x d rreeseed5. wild rice, H:tbits rnd habitats:Pelagic, larvivorous, feeds aquatic plants and algac. It is thermophilic, on insectsand also on stemand leaftissue. gregarious,dwelling moslly at the botionr oi' (H^miltan,1822) 46. Chelalaubuca ponds, Englishnnmesrlndian Grass Barbj Blue Laubuca Genus:Darto Hnmilton,1822 Local nam€:Larbuca, Kash Khaia (H^miltan, Hnbitsand habitats:Pelagic, depth range 0-2 m; 52. Danio clangila \822) inhabitsthe rniddle-depth area of stagnantsheams, Englishname: Dangila Danio ponds and tanks. Lives in shoals ol 15-30 Local namc:Nipati individrials.Larvivorous, feeds on insectsand also Hablts and habithts: Benthopelagic,feeds on on stemAnd leaftissue. wonnsand smallcrustaceans, also on insectlawae, l CenusrCtlrlrrr Oken,l8l7 53. Danio rerio (Hartillon, 1822) 47. Citfiiw! Nirrhosus(Bloch, 1795) Dnglishname: Zebra Danio DnglishnamesrMrigal Carp, Mrigal Localnamc:Anju Local names:Mrigal, Mirka Hrbits and habitoh: Benthopelagic,feeds on Habits and habitaht I! is essentiallya plankton wofinssnd small cnrstaceans, also on insectlarvae. feedcr,but also browseson algae in marginal Genusrrera,"io Hcckel, I843 shallows,Juveniles arc omnivorous,ndults ate 54.Devatio oequipinnatus (McClelland, 1839) Englishn.mesr Ciant Danio, Bcngal Donio 48. Cifthinus reba (H^milton, 1822) Local name:Chcbli [nglish name:Reba Habits and hsbitahr hrhabits Local namcs:Bhagna, Raik, Taikini, Bata, Laacho still ard slow" Habits and hAbitah: Benlhopclagic, moving rivers and stean$, Feeclson wonns, potamodromous,pl6nkton feeder and prolific crustaccansand insects; moves in scbools, Behtbopelagic. I Ccnus:Cro.rrocrcilru van Hass€lt, 1823 55. Dewrio devario (Hamiltor^.1822) I 49. Crossocheiluslatius (Hamilton, I 822) Dnglishnamc: Sind Danio Englishnames; oangetic Latia, Hill-strcam Carp Habits and habitatsi Benihopelagic;fe€ds on Localname: Kala Bata worms,small crustaceans and insects, Hovers near Habits and hrbitats: Ecnrhopelagic:ihe surlaceofwater duringjute retting. potanmdromous.Feeds on algae on the muddy Local namcs: Bashpata, Chebli, Debashi, bottons. A bottom-feedingherbivore raking more Chapchela,Debari than90% planl food, suchas algae,diaroms and Genus:tron"s Swainson,1839 macrophytesas well as detritus. 56. Esonus dan c6 (Hamiltan, lA22) Gen$| Ctenopharyngodo,St€indac}n€r, I 866 Englishname: Flying Barb s0. Ctenapharynsodonide11a (Valenci€nnes t844) Localnamesi Darkina, Danrika, Darka, Dadhika Englishnames: cmss Carp, White Amul Habirs and habitaN: Ben$opctagic. Localnames: Grass Carp, Crass Cup potamodromous.This speciesis vcry activeand Habits and habitsts: Feeds on high€r aquaric equippedwith exceptionallywide pecroral fins. plantsand submergedgrasses, also takes detrilus, Gcnus:Gard Hamilton,1822

24 ECOPRINT VOr,t4, 2007 51. Gan'd on dn.lalei Hora, 1921 64. Laheo cdlbasr (Harr,llroi],, |822) English Da'nei Annandale Log Suckcr, Stonc English names:Black Rohu. Kalbasu,Onnge Fi| Roller, AnnandaleCarr Labeo Local name: Ghor Poa Local names:Kalibaxs, Baus, Kalia Habits and habihtsi They adherc to rocks rvith Habits and habitatsi This spccies is a boltom' the help ol lne suctorial disc oD the chnr. |ood dwclllng species, feeds oD orsanic matter' consists mainly of rlgal lclLs on the siones. nolluscs. diatoms,plant nralter,green-algae. blue BeLrlhopelagic green algaeand zooplankton Thc fish is selective 58. Gdrd goll,la (Gray, 1832) irr feeding. Juvenilcs preter zooflanktonic trnglish nanes: Golyla, SuckerHead organisms,whilc tlrc adults prefer organic rnattcr Local namc: Ghor Poja and nolhscs. Ilrbits rnd habitats: Be lhopeLagic.Feeds or 65 Ldheodelo (rlamilton, 1822) algac, plants and delrilus. lfiabits streams and Englisl n.rme:Kalabans takes. Loc.rl names:Kursha, Katal Kushi Gctllst ltytophthalniht rr Bleeker, 1860 Habih atrd httbitlrts: llcrbivorous Feedsnarnly 59. H)?ophthah n:hthNs,?olit'lr (Valencier es, on aquaticdebris and dclritus 1844) lnhabits rivers and sidcs ol rcrrcntial lill-streanN EDglishDA'noi Silvef Car! in shallow waters. Adults migrate to wa nef LocnI u$mcs: Silvef Carp. Si lver Cup rcgionsof lakcsand streanrsd udfig the wlnter' Hnbits rnd hrbitrts: Livcs in thc s ficc l.tyet 66 Laheaga i s (Hanilton, 1822) and fceds on phyloplanklon and zooplanklonI1 is Dnglish nnn)ci K fia Lnbeo Irincilally a phlroplanktor feederrnd is krrownto Loc.rl n{mes: Ghannyo,Goui, KuLcli compelewith Cntla ior food. Htbih rnd hlbitah: Benthopelagic. Cenus: /,.ir.?oCuvicr, l8l7 poltnrodto orls. l'eeds olr ph]'toPlankton,alg c 60.l,ardo a/rgfo (Hrnliilon, 1822) arldcrust0ccAns llnglish namcr Angri L,atreo 67. Labco nundina (H^t11iltar,1822) Locrl nnDlcsr/.|rglrn,Kharsn. Khdrish English nttmcl Nandi Lab€o llrhits nnd h,rbit,rts: Bcnthofclrgic, Localn.rmcs: Nandina, Nrndil, NAndi, Ndnid polaNodlrnnous.Itu' nd in rivcrs,Lrkcs rDd ponds. Ilrbih and hnbila(si Benllropelagic and l\,lai y lccrls oD insocl l.rvac, licshwr(cr shrinrfs folanodronous. rnd othef cnrslircerrrs,worns rnd srrailsas wcll as 68.Labco pangllia (Hlt|r.'tltot1,1822) son)eplanl rrr.rL.f [nglish nnmerPdngusia Labeo 6L Zdr.d bal1r(llftnillon. 1822) Locrl nrmesi Ghora Muiltkha. Ghom Machh, trnglislr nrnrcr Brllr Lubco Longu Rui t,oral naDrcs:l]rra. llhangan llala Hrbits and habitats: Benthopelagic, Ilrbits xDd hxhitrtsi llcntholelagic aod polamodronous. Feeds mostly on algae and pot lnodfomous. Ihe species seerrs lo bc a diatonrs,grazes on aquaticplants. bollonr-lccdcr,dcfcnds mainly on aqualicplants 69.Lol,eo rchita (llalnilIott, 1822) 62. /-ab& lo.sd (H.r,niltor. 1822) trnglish narnes:RohLI. Rohu Carp linglish nr.rc: u.ga l-abeo Local namcs: Rui. Rohit. Rolru, Rar Locll n.t'nes:BhrDg.tD. Bhrngdn Batr Habits xnd hrbitats: Column feederat mid water Habits and hnbitnts: Belllhopchgic. Prctcrs10 tccd oD planl natters includnrgdecaying po1^modrcmous.Feeds on planktor\ algae.aqmtic vcgelalions. Food ol Rohu lnay conlalr algae, planis.cftrstacdans. eic. higher plaDts, protozoans, irsect la|vae, 63. ldrc, l,ggr/ (Sykes,I 83 3 ) crushccrns,lnud and sflrd In cullurc condilion.thc English n nc: Boggut Labeo spccics also fccds oD supplcDrcDtafyfish food, Local nalnes:Ghania, Gohia namely rice bran, wheat bran and oil cake. ln the Hrbits rnd hrbitrts: Bent|opelagic, Planl{ron- wild, il is a diumal spccics, usually solitary. leeder burrowsoccasiorally.

ItcoPRINT VOL 14, 2007 25 Genns M),lophtyngodon Petef , 1881 diatonrs and algae. During ihe rairv season,the 70. Mylopha.ralgodonpic€",t (Richardson,I 846) speciesoccurs in inundatedfields and feedson Englishnan€s: Biack CarP, Snail Cary diatoms, algae and other weeds Duriq the Local name:Carp breedingperiod, the speciesbecomes b€autifullv l,a ae and smalljuveniles colouredwith rcd and purple on the sides Habits and habitats: '76. feed aLmostentirely on small invertebrates(such as Puntiusselius (}{amiltot, 1822) zooplanklonand aquaticinsects) Larger juveniles Englishnames: Golden Barb, Colden DwarfBarb and adults are botlom feeders that predominantly Local nam€:Gili Punti prey on snails and bivalve molluscs,although Habilsand habilats:A pedceful0nd shv specie.. crayfish and orher benthic invetebraies are suitablefor collununitytanks. Fe€ds on benthos, sometlmesconsumeo. zooplanldon,cruslaceans, insects, etc Although it thev cerusr O.aiclt rr Snith, 1933 is fairly easyto inducethese fish€s to spalrn, '7 | . Orcichthyscosuatis (Hamilton, I 822) eat thei eggsjust as soon as they drop them trnglish namesrCosuatis Barb, IndianHigh Fin Inhabjts rivers and standing watcrs over s'lt and Ba$ Local nrm€:Kosuati 77. Puntiusgusanio (Hamilton, 1822\ Habits and habitahr Benthopelagic,feeds on Englishnqmer Glass'barb epiphlon. Local name:Mola Punti Genwt OsteobrcftaHeckel, 1842 Habtts and habitatsi Found in rivers, beels, 12. Osteobranacotia (Hamilton, I 822) ponds,and similarwrter areas.Feeds on aquatic Englishnam€r Cotio organisms,plankton, aquatic planis, c1!. Local namesrKeti, Dhela, Lohasura, Dhipali 78. phutuni.o (H^milton, 1822) Habits and habitals: An omnivore]nd surface Englishnamcsi Spotted Barb, Pigmy Ba|.b, Dwarf feeder, Food consists of algae, prolozoans, Barb crustaceansand aquaiic insects. Moves in shoals. Locrl nrmei PhutaniPunli GcnusrOrteocrilrs Ctinther, 1868 Habih and habitats:Occurs i standingwaters, '13. Osteochilushassehii (Valenciennes, I 842) oversil! andmud Edgllshnamcs: Silver Sharkminnow, Nilem Carp, Adults andjuveniles feed on debris,zoobcDthos. insccls,wonr1s anil Hasseh'sBony Lip Barb,Hardlipped Barb suchhs benlhicollNiaccans. (Mills VcvoN,1989) Locrl nrmcrTbuilaPuti planlmatters and 19 Punliu! saruna (HamLlral|.,lE22) Habirs and habilats: Benlhopclagicl . name:Olivc Barb potamodromous.Feeds on the roots of plants English Localnames Srr Punli,S.rrn3 turi. SaralPunri (Hydrilla vertici ata), u ic€llular algae, some Kuni insectsand worms, Also f€eds on cruslac€ansj Habir" ,nd habil$l\: Benrlopeag;f ph)4oplankton. p€riphytonand potamodronmu.Botlr bottomand columnfeeder, Gonus:P,/rlirs Hamilton,1822 feedson plants,benthic invertebratcs and insecls (Hzmilton, 74. Punt ts chola 1822) Browsosclos€ to the substntein shallowwatcrs Onglishramesi Barb, Chola Barb Foms schoolsin groupsof lbuf or five to scvcrel Local nan€s:Chalapunti, Punii H!bils and hrbitals: BerrhoPelagrc.80. Puntiussophorc (Hamilton, 1822) potamodromous,fceds ot woms, cluslaceans,Englishnames: Spotfin Swanp Barb, Pool Ba$ insectsmd plant matter Plant matter ;ncludes Local names:Punti, Jat Punli diatornsand algae. Habits and habitats:Voncious eatersof floating '15. Puntiuscohchonius (Hamilion, 1822) organisms and aquatic plants. Can breei Englishnrmes: Swamp Barb, Chola Barb everywherein its durirg the rainy seaso! Loctl names:Chalapunti, Punti They live in and move in groups,and can live both Habits .nd habilats: Benthopelagic.in ctearas well as foul walersand can surviveeven potamodfomous;lbeds on woms, crustaceans,in extreme adverse conditions inside muddy insects and plant mattor Plant matter includes bottomsoil covered by aqualicweeds.

26 ECOPRINT VOL 14, 2007 a1. Puntius teria (Harlilton, 1822) Habits rnd habitats: Benthopelagic, Onglishnan€: OneSpot Batb potamodromous,widely distdbut€d in the lower Local name:TeIi Punti reachesof rivers,ponds, beels, ditches and oanals Habih and habitats:Benthopelagic, f€eds mainly throughoutBangladesh. Surface feeder and feeds on diatoms, algae, crustacaans,insecis and m!d_ mainly on aquaticinsects and detritus. 8'7. Salnortana bacaila (Hamilton, I 822) 82. Puntius ticto (H^tr,llton, 1822) Englishname: Large Razorbelly Eoglish names:Ticto Barb, Firefin Barb, Two- Local names:Katari, Narkaiichela spotBarb Hrbits and habirate: Benrhopeiatsic. Local nrmes:Tit Punti,Tita Punli potamodromous,widely distribuiedin the lower Habits and habitats: Still, shallow,marginal reachesof rivers,ponds, be€ts, ditches and canals waters of tanks and rivers, mostly with muddy throughoutBanglad€sh. Swface feeder and feeds bottoms.Feeds on plants,benthic invert€bmtes and mainlyon aquatjcinsects and detritus.It hasthe insects.Browses clos€ to the substratein shallow habitofjumping abovc rhe wdrer.Jrfacc. Mo\ es in schoolsof l5-30individuals. Cenusrna;amar Jordan, l9l8 88.Satnostona phltlo (Hamilton,1822) 83. Raiamashola (Hamilton, 1822) Englishnamer Finescale Englishname: Indian Trout Local namc:Fulchela Local names:Bhol, Bol Habits and habitatsr Benthopelagic,widely Hnbits and habitats: lts wide mouth and distribuiedin lhe lower reachesof rivers,ponds, streamlinedbody is well-suitedfor its predaceous bcels,ditches and canalsthroughout Bangladesh. life. This speciesis a surface-feederand feedsmainly Becauseof its predaceousnature it is a causeof on aquaticinsects and detritus, threatlo otheraquatic organisms, lnhabils rivers Genus:,Sea ,,rcrla Ciinther, 1868 anosffeams, 89. Secwicula gara (H^milton, 1822J Genus:Rasbold Bleek€r, 1860 Englhh namcrCora-chela 84.Rasbara dakiconi s (Hamilton,1822) Local name:Ghora Ch€la Ilngllsh nam€sr Common Rasbora, Slender Habitsand hrbitats: Surfacefeeder. predator) in natur€and feeds regllarly on insects,insect laruae, Local namerDarkina Habits and habitais: Benfiopelagic. Cenus:lor Cray,1834 polanodtomous.Sometimes forms largeschools. 90, Tor putitorc (Hamilton,1822) Tbis sp€ciesis a surfacefeeder, mainly on aquatic Englhh ntmer PulitorMahseer ins€ctsand detritus. Occurs in a varietyofhabitats: Local names:Mohashol, Putitor Mahscer ditches,ponds, canals, haors, strcans and rivers. Habits and habitatsr Omnivorous,feeding on lnhabitsmainly sandy slreams and rivers. fish, phlaoplankton, zooplariktonr insects, 85. Rasbararusbora (Hamilton, 1822) molluscs, dipteran larvac and plant matter. trnglishnamc: Cangelic Scissortail Rasbora Juvenilessubcisr on planklonw\ile fingerlings Locrl names:Darkina, Leuzza Darkina feednainly on algae.Benthopelagic at depth15 m, Hrbirr and habirars: Be l'opclagic.inlabitsstreams, riverine pools and Iakes. polamodromous.Sometimcs lbms largeschools. 9l. rol rar (Harnilton,1822) Surfacefeedcr, mainly feeds on aquaticinsects and Englishnames: Tor Mahs€er,Mahseer dclritus.Occurs in a varieryof habitais:ditches, Local names:Mohashol, Mohal ponds,canals, haors, streams and rivers.Inhabits Habits and habitlts: Onmivorous,feeds on nainly sandystreams and rivers. filamentousalgae, submerged plants, chironomrd CenusrSa/naslou d Swainson,1839 larvae,water beeties and cruslaceans a6. Salnostona argentea(D^y, 1864) T. t r |t^lels lowards th€ headwaters at the Englishname: Silver Razorbelly Minnow beginning of the rains and do\tnstreamwhen the Local name:Chcla

ECOPRIM VOL T4, 2OO7 21 min ceases.The sizcofthe speciesdelends largely Local name:Gang Cutun uponthc size ofthe riverin whichir lives. Habits and habitats: Benlhopelagrc; l !mily: Psilorhlnchidac Gentst P.'ilo rbhchltr Mcclclland,1839 llides undemeathrocks ard boul{tcrsin swift 92.Psilorhlnchus balitarc (Hanllton, 1822) Englishnatne: Balitorn Mnrnow Ccnus:Scr;r/,/a McClcllaDd,1839 Localnarnc: Baliton 98.Strarra beavd,i(Giinrbcr, 1868) Habits rnd hrbitnts: This spccicsis foundin lasr trnglishnamci Creek Loach shea s airdshallo\r ivels Localnane: BeavaniBrlichata Ir J t [r r1, J.. I fc. ddp.rnra.HrbitsaDd habitats: Hides undcmcalh rocks and stones1r shrllow and swili cleaf stfeamswith 93.Psibrhrtcllr! e'.rr)lisRainboth, 1983 pcbblybottonrs. Ieeds on algae, dcuilus and othef EnglishDrme: Rainboth Mnrnow benthicorganislns. Locrlnrmr: Balitora 99.J'.ri lrarl../-nr, (Hal ilLori.1322) Hrbits rnd habitals:DcmcNal. fbund ovcr sDraI EDglishnalnc: Corica Loach pebblesin sandybottonr; bouoln fccdef. cenerally Locrl n,tnrcs:Koirka. Korica, Khorica fee yv.nr.r..r)!V, J ) foLr'di.r r-1,J.ytiori|g Habits rnd hrbitats BenLhotclagrc, slrcrnlsbclow the loolhills. potamodromous.Fccds on insectlaNae, shrinus, 94.Psik|h!,.:hu\ ttkrttia(Hamilton, 1822) :Iqlutrc vegetatrou,clc Thcy ffotcot thenselles trnglish rrmcsi Rivef Stdrc Carp, Sucario fronr dangcrby b'rrying their bodieswilh grcrt rapidityin thesand, gravcl or undcmc.lthrocks and Locil nnmc:l'itari bouldel| iD swili, clcan,cokl s(rcanNwhefe thcy Ihbits Nnd hibitats: D€meNal, Iicshwaref, irhabitspr'iffndly rhc cdgcs ofclear sandy sireams 100.S.rlrn,? rdi(,,.r (lhmilL r, 1822) Family:Balitofidnc llnglish nnDrcs:Savona l-onoh, Ilall Brrdcd Gcnus:,,1..lrlrocorillsPelcls, llJ6l Lorch,llicolorLoach 95.Acantha

2a ECOPRTNTVOL 14, 2007 103.Rotia.layiaora, 1932 Halritsand habitats:Demersal. Englishnames: Hora Loach, Bolya Loach Occurstu clear-flowingwater streams with sandy Localnames: Rani, Belangi to rockyboltom.Feeds on bcnthos aDd debris Habits and habitatsi Boltom-feeder.Fe€ds on cenusrPdrg,o Bllth, 1860 deLritusand insectlarvae- Found to inhabitfie 110.Pangio panlia (H^mi1tan,1822) muddyboltoms ofditches, beels, canals, inundated English namcs:Pangia Coolieloach, Cnn1anon fieldsand riveLs. Loach 104.Botia lahdchdta Chaudlruri, 1912 Local names:Pangya, Panga Iinglishname: YloacL Hrbits .lnd h.tbitats:Demersal, inhabits shallow. Local narnesiRaDi,Putu1, Beti slow-movingrivers widr sandy bottoms. lhe Hrbits and habitats:Dclnel.sal. It is sociableas specicsloves to dig andhide in thebottom. wcll as lessshy and pugnaciousthan other ,olld cenus:Soutle?/€r Swanson, 1839 spp. lt can bunow undcrthe graveland likcs to IIL Sr/rtleptesga gata (Hamilron,ta22) hide. Feedson womN, snails.srnall fish, clc. EnglishnrmeriCongota Loach. Moosehcc Loach Inhabitscrccl(s with rockyand satdy bottoms. Local DamesrPoia, Ghar Poia, Paharic tum, G. us: /,4;r/oceprdlrlrBlceker,1858 Puiya 105.Lepidocephahs heftlm a/e/ (BlFh, I 86 1) Habits !n d habitatsI Demersal.F€eds on worms, Itnglishname:Bu neseLoach crustaceans,insccts, eic. Oocur.sin shaLrow,srow- Locrl nrmciPuiya movingstrcams and dvers with sandy,muddy of Italrits rnd halritatsrInhabits hill strcamswirh gravellybortons. The spccicslr|ts the habit of Il]odqatcc nentsand pebble 10 stonc bottom. buryingin thesand qujckty when iiighreDed. Bumws quickly in lhc snnd and gravclswhcn Ordcr: Characifornes liightcncd.0ats benthic orgaDisms. FamilyrCharacidae Ganl.lstLepiclocepholicht lJ Bleeker,1863 CenustPlgocertrr.r M{illel.and Tloschel, llJ44 lA6. Leptrlot:ephali.hthytanhundulei Cl1 ldlruti, Il2. PygocentrurnattereriKne\ 1858 )912 Englhh namcs:Red Piranha, Rcd-bcllicd Pimnha Englhh namc:Ao andalcLoach Local nametManushkhckoPiunha Locll nrmcsrGulrnn,Puiya Hrbits and habitatsr This spccicsinhabits all Hrbih and habitlts: Feedsmainly on mud and typcs o[ watcrsfrcm quier and weedyto clcar, orgAnismsofthe beDlhicregion. rushingstreams. Most live in schools, Deficrsal.irhabits clear, swift streamswith sandy Theyare pelagic, vomcious bottom prcdators,dangerous even to hunmnbcrngsi mey 107.Lepidacephalichthys guntea (Haniltoi,1822) willbite an)4hingthar moves. Englishnamesr Pepp€red Loach, cuntea Loach Adults feed mainly a! dusk and dlwn; feedson Localnamcsi Gulum, Puiya insects,wonns and fisl. tn captivily,il cau bc Habitsand habitflts:Dem€rsal; potamodromous raughtto eatalmost everylhing meaty. F€edson insectlarvae and bottom detritus. GenusiPidractu,! Eigenmann, 1903 108.Lepdocephalichthys irrotata Hor!, 1921 ll3. Piaractus brochypamrs(Cuvier, I 8 I 8) Englhh nam€rLoktak Loach Englishnames: Pirapiiinga, Red-bcllied pacu Localnam€; Puiya Local namcsr Piranha, Rupchanda, Thai Habits and habitats:Demersal. Occu$ in clear RuDchaDda strcamswiih sandand gravelatthe bottom Habitsand habitahi petagic,omnivorous, usudry Feedson boltom organisms and dctritus. feedsor insectsand decaying plants. This fishcan Ge )stNeoeucirrhichthysBanar€scuandNalba,b€ kept as vegetarians in aquaria. 1968 order: situdformes 109. Neoeucithichthys mqdelli Bai:,arcs and Famity: Nalbant.1968 c€nus:Balasro Bllth, 1860 Englishname: Goalpara Loach 114. Batasio batasio (Hamllton, 1A22) Localnames: Puiya, Cutum English name: Tista Batasio

ECOPRINT VOL 14, 2007 29 Local names:Tengra, Batasi Habits and habitats:Primafily a brackishwater Habits and habitats: Carnivorous.Inlabits riv€rs fish that entersand lives in fiesh waier. Juv€nil€sand adults feed on d€bris, zooplanldons, ll5. Batasio te gana (Hamlltol,1822) zoobenthos,other benthic inveri€brates,fish eggs English name: Dwarf Catlish and larrr'ae Localname: Tenga 121. Mystustengara (Hamllton, 1822) Habits and habitats: Generaly innabits tonential English nanes: Stripped Dwarf , Tengan streams.Bottom dwellirg, detritus feeder in the Mystus,Peari Catfish upper reaches of dverine habitats. Several Local nam€sr Bajari Tengra, Ghuitia Tenga, sp€cimens were colected from the old Bajuri,Bujd, Boija BrahmapuiraRiver in Mlmensingh distdci. Habits and habitats:Inhabits weedy, sandy and Geaus:Hemibagtus Bleeker, 1862 muddy pafis of the pools, slreams, rivers and 116.Henibagrus nenoda (Han lton,1822) canalsin the rainy season.The fislr is a bottom- Engltshnam€: Menoda Catfish dweller, feeds on insect larvae, earthworms, Local ntmes: Chagla, Gang T€ngra, Aiwari, molluscs,cr.rstaceans, algae, a littlesand and mud, Kawni 122,Myitus rittatus (Bloch, 179'7) lfablts and habitatsr 1l menodaliyes on botlom Engllsh namesr Sniped Dwarf Carfish, Asian organisms.Inhabits rivers and their tributaries.It StdpedCaifish, Shiped River Catfish buries in soft, wet clay in bottomsof rivers, Local namerTengra tributaricsand ponds. Hablh and habitrts: Demersal,feeds on plants, GenusrM),rt r Scopoli,177? shrimps,insects, molluscs and fisb6. | 17. l,4ystusamaw (Day,1865\ Also inhabitsrhe marginalwaters of lak€sand Englishnamer Kerala Mystus swampswith a mud substate.Mainly seonin the Local name:Tengta floodedponds, lakes, canals, beels, paddy andjute Habitsand habitats:Lives in clearwater in swift- fields, streamsahd rivers flowinghill sireamswith beds ofrocks Genus:Rat a Bleeker,1855 and boulders.Cohsumes benthos and aquatic 123, Ramachandranara (Hamilton, I 822) insecls.Hide8 below rocks and boulders. Englishnamcii AsianCory, Cold ShadowCatfish, l18. Mystusbkeketi (Day,1817\ HoveringCatfish, Humming Bird Catfish Englishnamc: Day's Mystus Locrl names:Gura Tengra. Futkj Bujurii, Bajaria LocAlnames: Tengra, Gulsha Tengra Tengra Hebits snd habitah: Demersal,potamodromous; Hablts and habitatsi Bottom-dwercr. found in rivers, canals,khals, beels and similar Ominvorous,mainly animal feeder. 't wai€r bodies in Bangladesh.Feeds on ins€ct Cenus:Rila Bleeker,1858 larvae,zooplankton and srnall fishes. 124.Rita fita (Harniltal\, 1822) I l9 . Mystuscayasius (Hamilion, I 822) EnglishnamerRita Englishname: oangetic Mystus Localnam€: Rita Habits and habitats: Potamodromous, Local namesi KabashiTengra, Gulsha, Gulsha bottom- Tengra dw€llerand canrivore,Feeds on insects,mollrlscs, shrimps,fishes and roots of aquaticplants, also Habits and habitats: Fe€ds on insect laflae, putridcarcass or fleshofanimals. zooplanldonand small fish. Genus:S?e/dla Holly, 1939 Movesinto the floodedlands during periodsoi t2s. Sperataaor (Hamilton,1822) high water and retums io the river when floodwarcr Englishnam€: Long-whisk€red Catfi sh Local narnes:Alre, Bhangat,Talla Alr€ 12o.Mystus (Hamilton,1822) sulio Habits and habitats: Predatory,preys on sralter English namesi Long-whiskered Catfish, Culio fishes,largeins€cts and worms. Catfish \26. Sperutaseenghala (Sykes, 1839) Locrl nam€s:Nuna-tengra, cuillya English naner ciant tuv€r-catfish 30 ECOPRTNTVOL 14, 2007 Local names: Guijja, Guijja A}ae, Bhangat,Talla Habits and habitah:,!. coild is a fteshwater pelagicfish. It is a camivore but occasionallyfeeds Habits and habitats: Mainly bottom-feedersand on algae.planl marerialsand debris.Lrre. in predatoryin nature,feeds on benthos,larvae offish shoals in major fteshwater rivers an comected alrd algae,destructive to tendercarp fry. Family: Silxridae 132. punctata (Day, 1871) Genus;Ompoi Lacepede, 1803 Engltuh name: JamunaAilia l2'7.Onpok binaculatus (Bloch, 1797) Local nam€s:Kajuli, Bashpata English names:Butter Caffish,Tv/o Spot Glass Hrbits and hsbilstsi Demersal, freshwatel Catfisb species.Feeds on algae.planr malerial. and debri.. Local names:Kani Pabda,Boali Pabda,Pupta, Lives in shoalsin major rivels- Pafta Genus:Clupiilorza Swainson, 1839 Habits and habitats: Omnivorous.Feeds ur 133.Clupisona garua (Hamillon, 1822) cmsiaceanlaivae, fish fti€s, zooplankton,algae f,nglishnamesrGarua Bacha, Ga$a and smallponions of sandand mud.Preda(ory in Local names: Ghaura,Clarua, Cagm, Garua nai]te. Hunts macro-fauna including fish fiy. Bacha Swimsaround in shallow and oft€n muddywaters. Ilabits and habitrtsr Inhabiis large fresh waler \28. Onpok pabda (Hamilton, 1822) bodiesand tidal rivers. Boitom-feeder;feeds on English namcs: Pabdah Calfi.b, h^o Srripe insects,sbrimps, other crustaceansand small Culper Catfish fishes. It is a foul feeder. Known to take human Local namerMadhu Pabda faecesas food, Hablts and habltats: Omnivorous;feeds on Gemlst b)trop iichthys Bleeke\ | 862 crustaceanlarvae, fish lry, zooplankton,algae and 134.Eutropiichthrs nurius (Hamilion,1822) small portion ofsand and mud, Predatoryin nature. Englishnamei Murius Vacha Hunts macro-faunaincluding fish fry. Swims Local namesrMud Bacha,Motus aroundin shallowand often muddy waters. Hrbttc and hsbitrts: Demersal.A voracious 129.Onpok pabo (H^milton, 1822) feeder,feeding on smallfishes, aquatic w€€ds and Englishnsme: Pabo Catfish Local namesrPabda,Kala Pabd6 135.Eutropiichthys vacha (Hamihon, 1822) Habits and hsbitatsr Omnivorus; feeds on Englishnrmes: Batchwa Vacha, Bacha cruslaceanlarvaeJ fish fry, zooplakton, alga€ and Local nrme!r Bacba,Carua Bacha poilion small ofsandand mud. Predatory in nature. Habih and habitaB: Pelagic:polamodromous. . . I{un$ macro-faunaincluding fish fry. Swinlj voraciousfeeder, Ieeding on stnallfishes, aquatic aroundin shallowandoft€n muddy waters. Genus:,/allago Ble€ker, l85l centx: Pvudeutrcpius Bleeket, 1862 130. Wa aEoattu (Schneidet,t801) 136.Pseudeutrcpius atherinodes (Bloch, 1794) Englishnames: Boal, Wallago, Freshwater Shark, HelicopterCatlish Englishname: Indian Potasi Local names:Boal,Boali, Boyari, Keyali, Boil Local names:Baiasi, Bataiya, Batais Habih and habitats: tZ alr, is a voracious, Habitsand habitrts:Demersal; amphidromous camivorous and predatory fish. Juveniles feed F€edson algae, plantmaterials and debris. mainly on ins€ch, crustaceans,molluscs and sma! The speciesis a fast swirl]Iner. fishes, adults feed predominantly on cprinid GenusrSi/oria Swainson, 1839 fishes. l3'7. Silania silondia (Har|,ilton,1822\ Family:Schilb€ida€ Englishnam€s: Silond Catfish, Sitondia Vacha Genus:liliia Gray,1831 Local nam€s:Sbilong. silond. Dhain.Silou. 131. (Hamiltol! 1822) Jilang Englishname: Gangetic Ailia Habits and habitals: P.efers strong, well- Local nanes:Kajuli, Basbata oxygenatedstreams and clearwaters. ECOPRTNT VOL 14, 20fi It is camivorousand vomcious.This grcgario'rs | 44 . Gasdt.t youssouii kahman, l9'7 6 calfishmoves fi shoals. Englisl' nam€: GangeticGagata Fanily: Pangrsiidae Local narne:Gang Tengm Cenus:Pangdrirr Valcnciennes, 1849 Habits and habitats: Botton feeder.Mairly feeds 138.Pons.$ius hy?aphthalmr' (Sauvage, 1878) on benthosand ooze. Englishnamcsi Pungas, Sutcli Catlisl! Iridescent Genus: GryZlolrola,r BlyLh,1860 SharkCatfis]r. Yclloriail Catfish,Pungas Catfish 145.Clyptotharqt indiL$ Talwar. 1991 Local n nes:Thai Pangas, Pangwash English namc: SylhetHara Habits and I'abit,tts: Omivorous. Feeds on Local nnmes:Teli, Telchilla crustac€ans,iishes and vcgelable debLis Habits and habitats: Benlholelagic, {ieds mainly 139.Pdngasius pangosius (Hanilton, 1822) on bottom organisns. Clings to lhc stonesa1 tle English names: Pungas, Yellowtail Calfish, bullonr b) In,dns of rh( ddhe.r\c Ihoroc'. PungasCatfish apprfalus. r,ocrl nam€siPangas, Pangwash 146.Gb4athorar tclchittd (Han lton, 1822) abits and habitats: Potamodromousand English namc: Sylhe!Hara l,ocal namcsi Tcli, Telchitta Feedson foul allddecaying and Habits nnd habitats: Benthopelagic,lives mardy vcgctablematters, including amphipods, isopods on bottom organisnN, and bcnthic cmstaccAns,insects and also small GenusrGogrrgm Robe{s, 2001 fishes. 14'7.Gogahgft riridescens (Ilamilton, 1822) |.hnlily:Amblycipilidae Englishnamel Huddah Nangra Cc"us:,rnbD,.sptBlyth, I 858 Localnamci Oang Tengra 140.Anhlyt:ept nahgois (Hamilto|, 1822) Habih nnd ltabitntsr Denlcrsrl an(l trjnglishnamci hrdian Torrent Cttfish potamodronous,Fecds oD benthic org0lrisms l,ocalname: Chotta Shirgbi Genus:tdm Blyth,l86l Hnbitsnnd habit,tts;Bcnthopelagic. Diet consists 148.Haru haru (tl|.rnlltotl, 1822) [nglish nrmerKosi Harr [amily:Sisolidae LocNlnlmer Kuhkrtnti Genus:/togarnl.1 Bleeker. ltl53 Hrhits and hrbihrts:Detritus licdcf. Inhabils 14l. Baga llt bagariut\llamilton, 1822) slow-nrovinglicshwatel rivcrs and slrcams [nglhh namcs:Gangetic Coonch, Devii Catfish, | 49. Haruj eftlanI D^y, 1810 SondSha* [nglhh name:SyLhe! Harr Locrl nllncs: Baghair,Bag|ari, Bagh Machh Local name:Kulakanti Ilrbits and hrbitants: A trcdator. feedsmainly Habits rnd hab'tatsrA very sluggishlisl l-eeds onsnall nshes,iiogs andshrirnps. oninsect larvac, benlhic dctrjtus. etc. Livcsundef bogwood or logsin fasl-Ilowingfivers Cenus:A/arA,? Day, 1877 and eatsanytLing small enoughto fit insidcthe 150.rvd,gfa rrrgr.r (HamiltoD,1822) enormousnrouth tllat I posscsses. Englishnamcs: Kosi Nalrgfa,Mcghna Nangru Genus:Gagal, Bleeker, 1858 Local nrme:Gang Tengra 142.Gdgdtd cenia (Hzt\1ilto1t,1822) Habits1|nd habitatsi Dcmersal. Fccds on bolton! trnglishna es:Indian a;agatr, Clown Catfish dwellmgorganisms. Local a'ncs:Ccnia, JLrngla, Couwa Genus:Sisor Hamilton. 1822 Habits nnd halrit:rtsiDcmersal, feeds on boltom 15L Sisorrha btlophorus tlanilton, I 822 Englishnnmcs: Sisor Catfish, Whiptail Caifish 143.Cagala aagala (Hamilton. lE22) Local namc;Sri Sorc Englishnrnle: GangeticCagata H:rbits and habitntsi Demersal and Ghorakata, Locrl nrmes: Gang Tengra,Jungla, poian1odromous.Feeds on bolton ofganlsms. Hudda Family:Erelhistidae Habitsand hrbitats:Bottom fceder. Man y leeds Ccnus:Crrla Hom, 1950 onbenthos and ooze. 32 UCOPRINT VOL 14, 2oo? t 52. Cantd Lanta (Hamlllat1, 1822) 158.Clarids b.ttt.tchlts (Linnaeus. 1758) English namc: ContaCatfish Englishnam€si walking Catfish.Clarias Catfish, Local namc: Hara Machn Hrbits and habitrhi Dcmcrsal,typically adapted Local narnes:Masur, Mosqxr, Mojgor q to the torreDtialhabitat. Feeds on nrud and benthrc Habil\and hxbilars. rlkinb.-.tsh Jreb.1 l h omnivorous,industrious in their scxrchfor food; Genus: tfelr re.tMiillcl and Troschel,1845 noctu.nalspccies search thc bottom with therr 153.Ercthistes pussilus Miiller and Troschel,1845 br$els in bottomdctdlus. Consumc a widevariety trnglish namcs: Gansetic Erethistes,Giant MoLh of prey, nrcludingeggs o. larvaeof orhc. fishes, Catfish smallfishes, and a numbefofinvedebratcs, such as Loc^l nnmes:Kutakanti, Kurkati alrrelids, crusiaccansand iusccts.Due to its Habits and hibitrts: Dcmersal. Botlom feeder. scavengingbclavioxr the fish rcducessome waler mainly fcods on insect lawac and other benthic tolhrlanlsliom the bollomof the watcrbody and orsanls s. lnhabits sluggish deep warers playsa vitalrcle in rcducingpolltriion. overgrown with vegetation.Often w$hcd to the t59. Cloriossariepin s (Burchcll.1822) plainsdudng lhe . Englishname: Noth AfricanCatfish Caaust P.\eudalagril Mlsn,19'76 Locrl name:African MagLrl 154. Pslltlologuria inot tldld Ng, 2005 Hnbits nnd hrbitshi Omnivorous. English nrms PaintedCatfish potamodromous,bottom dwellcr and does nlost of l,ocrl nr$rer Kani Tengra its feedingthcrc. Occasionally locds al lhe slLrfice tlrbirs ind hfll,ir,rN:Benrhr. lsh nroirraining Fofagesal nigh!on a wide vrricty ofpLey.Widcly thenrselvesrltrchcd to the boiton of riveN by talerantof extremccnvironrlleltal conditions The mcn0sof theif druucic adhcsivepad. PLaysthe rcle prcscnceof alr accessofybrcalhing org n cnrblcs this speoicsto breatheair whcn vcry aclive or 01:t mirrurfrcdalor oflhe benthicpopLrlation ol lhc dq!rtic envjltnnncnl. ndcr very dry condilioDs.Also able lo sccrcLc in |55. PsldoIug t'itlh1|tirara Ng,2005 Trcr,sto nrc\enldry'nB rrJ.rrJ aL'lco b.r-cu dremuddy substrate of a dfyingbody of wnier.A nrglhh nAmcrPaintcd Catnsh predaloryfish, it consumcssmall llshes,iiogs, Locrl nr rc: Kani tcngrr snakcsor whateveris rvoihblc. llabirs :rDd hnl-'irlls:Dcu'lot'el.grc. Occub in Frmilyr Hcteropneustidae clc f. shrllow, slow-flowillg sirerms wilh a n]ixcd Genus:Hel?r"oprer"rler Miillcr, I 840 substmlcoli sand and detrilus. Plays thc rolc ol a 160.Heteropne ttet.lb.\silr (tsloch, 1794) mjnor prcdrtor among the benthic populaiion of English namcsrStinging Ca(llsh, Fossil Calfish. the aquaticclrvjronncnt. LiverCattish (Horr, 156.Pseu.rahsurnr rihclt'ol l92l) LocAlrrlnes: Shing,Jiol. Shinghi. Jili Shinghi Flnglishnrmc: Pnntcd Cl]lilsh Hlbits and habitats:Demcrsrl. onrrivorors and ! Locrl nrmei Krni Tengrr prcdal . Lives in lafge shoalsncrr the botton H^bits rnd habitats: Benthopelagic. Feeds on CcncralLy,during the dry scrson,Srnghi lives nr worms and insccts. Phys the fole of a mlnor semiliquidaDd seni-dry mud. and evcDwhcn the pr

ECOPRINT VOL14, 2{)(|7 33 Lies quietly on the bottom until someprey comes ecosystem.Tanoidacea, Amphipoda, Bivalvia, along. In the aquarium,this sp€ciesf€eds also on Polychaeta and Isopoda are the maJor Sroups live food, suchas othersmaller fishes and fries, consumedby thisspecies. large earthworms,chopped beaf heart and stuimp. Family:Plotosidae Apparently a wonnlike appendix at the fringo of Genus:P/olos&r Lacepede, 1803 tbe mouthis usedto attact prey.Demersal, Plays 166.Plotosus canius H^riilton, 1822 therole ofa camivorein tl1€coastal ecosystem English 'ames: Canine Catfish Ee1, Cruv Fel Family:Olyridae Catfish, Eel-tail Ca[ish c€nus: Otld Mcclelland,1842 Local names:Gang Magur, Kain Magur 162.Olyra langicaudata Mcclelland, 1842 Habits and habitats; Feeds on cnrstaceans, Englisb namesr Bannertaii Caifish, Longtall mollLScsdnd llshes.Demer:al. dmphidromou' in Catfish fresh,brackish and marine habitats Contols water Locrl nameiBotShinghi pollutionby consumnreaquatic detritus. Habil\snd habiralsDemct.al. U"ually lo,,nd in Family:Loicariidae small cLeanwater, rocky streamsat th€ baseof cenus:.rtpo.'rornruLacepede, I 803 hills. Fecdson benthicorganisms from the botlom 167 . Hrpostonl.lsplecostomrr (Linnaeus, I 7 5 8) ofthe rockystreams. English namesr Plecostomus,Suckermouth Bottom-dwellingdetritus fccder, does not compete Catfish,Common Pleco, Plecoslomus Catfish widr other column and surfacefeeders in the Locsl nam€rChoshok Machh Hrbits and habit.rtsrOmnivorous; mostly eats Family:Ariidac algae, but sometimesvegetables, live worms, ccnusr,lnrr valenci€nnes,1840 crusiaceansand insectlarvac. May gmzcplants if 163.Atius gagora (Hamilton, 1822) not fed sulficientamounls. Noclumal; A voracious Englishnamc: Cagora Catfish algaeeai€r, it can bc usedto conlrol unwaDted Local namesrGagla, Ghunga, Ghagra algal groMh in rle aqualk ecosyitcmor i' Habth snd habitrtsr Ascends tidal rivers. aquariums.It is a robustfish lblc !o adaptto nrost Demersaland amphidromous fish. Feeds mainly on conditions.It is ableto €atany fish fiat canfit nlto invedebrates and small fishes. Consunes invertebrateanimals and small fishes and thus Orderr Cyp nodontiformes controlslhe groMh of differentorganisms in the Family:Aplocheilidae estuarineecosystem, Ge\tst AplocheilusM.Clclland, t 839 GermsBatuachocephalus Bleeker, 1846 168.Aplacheilus pan&a, (Hanilton,I822) 164.Ratachacephalu' niro (Hanilton,1822) Englbh namcsrPanchax Mimow, Blue Panchax, trnglishnrmerBeardless Sca Catfish Tin H€ad(Sinsapore) ( Locll name:Katabukha Local n.mes:Techoukkd. Kannord houkkari Habih and habitrh: Foundin the coastalwaters, Bechi aswcLl as in estuariesand tidal rivers. Habits and hrbitahr Suribcc"dwelLingin small Predaceous,camivorous, feeds mainly on groups,larvivorous. Prefers clear water in areas invertebraiesand smallfishes. Plays the role of a with dense growih of rooted of floating carnivorein fie coastalecosystem. Genus:Osleoae'eiorrr Bieeker, 1846 S€enat the surfacein schoolsin marginalwater. 165.Osteogeneiosus nilitalrs (Linnaeus,1758) Somelimesoccurring in hlpersalincwaters Thc Dnglkh name:Soldicr Catfish speciesrenders a distinctservice to nanldndby its Local name:Apua d€structio.of mosquitolarvae, which is its chiei Hrbits and habitats: Predaceous,camivorous, and favourii€ food. feeds mainly on invertebrates and small fish Family: Cyprinodontidae Usuallyinlabits seas,estuaries and tidal riv€rs. Genus:O,?z,ar Jordan and Snyder, 1906 Plays an imporlant role ini controlling rhe 169.OryEids melastigmd (Mcclelland, 1839) populaiionof benthicorganisms in the aquatrc Englishnamei Estuarine Ricefi sh

34 ECOPRTNTVOL 14, 2007 Local names:Bechi, Kanpona Habits atrd habitsts: Benthic or demercal.Swms Habits and habitats:Feeds on lawaeof aquatic in a serp€ntinefashion. Due to the presenceof insectsand mosquitoes. accessoryr€spiratory organs they can survive for a Ahadlslound in shoais.Cdmi\orous. t}is.pecies few days in the hoies but someiimesthey comeout can control the insect populaijon of the aquatic of the holes to take oxygen. Noctumal, often environment.By eatingaquatic detritus tley keep spends the day hiding urder crevices, water hydcinrh.,ronesand mud. KnoM ro hibematein Order: Syngnathiformes the mud duringthe cold season.Feeds ma'nly on FamilyrSyngnathidae smallfishes, tadpoles and smallins€cts. Most of GennstIchthyocanpus KaW, 1853 the time adult Iishes stay in the hole keeping the 170.Ichthpcampus carce (Hamilton, 1822) mouthoulside lhe hole to respirebut bidesudd€nly Englishnsmc: Freshwater Pipefi sh in the presenceof an enemy.A quiet and innocent Localnrmcs:Kumircr Khil, KaraKumirer Knil speciesrestdcted ro thebotton ofits mudhabitat. Habits and habitats: Dem€rsal,amphidromous, Genwt OphisternanMcclelland, 1845 ovovivipafous,Feeds on worms,cnrstaceans and 175.Ophisternon bengalerre Mccl€lland, 1845 small zooplankton.Inhabits €stuaries and rivers. Engllshnames: Bcngal Mud Eel. One'gilledEel. Cenus:,Uieloprl,r Kaup, 1853 Asian SwampEel 171.Microphb chokderi (Rahman, 1976) Local nsmes:Bamosh, Kunche Englishnrme: CrocodileTooth Pipefish Hsbih and habitatsrCamivorous. Young fishes Localname:KumirerKhil live within floalingplants. Mosi of th€ time adult Hebits and hrbitqh: Demersal,potamodromo s; fishes stay in the hole keeping the mouth outside it usesits tail 1oaltach itselfto w€eds and algae. the hole !o respire but hide suddenlyin the The lish live amongaquatic plants, swim in a presenceOfan enemy. A quielspecies r€slricted to vefticalposition by the undulatorymov€ments of theboitom of themud habitat. the . Omnivorous,food items include Orderr Scorpaeniformes shall crustaceans,mostly copepods and mysids, FamilyrPlarycephalidae 172.MicrophLt cuncalus (Hamilton, 1822) Genu$ Platlcephalus Bio.h, 1795 Englishmme: CrocodilcTooth Pipeffsh 116.Platycephalu,, indicus (Linna€N, 1758) Local namcsiKumirer Kiil, KumirerKona Englishnamer Bartail Flathead Habits and habitats: Demersal,onmivorous, Local nrmerMur Bailla feedson ninute invertebratessucked into a tubular Habih snd habitah: The specicsis benrhicin snout.They livc amongaquatic planrs and swim in habitand pref€rc to live on sandor mudbottoms. a verticalposition by the rapid,rippling rnovem€nt Fe€dsmainly on crustaceansand fish, It can move ofthe dorsal,p€lvic and p€ctoral fins long distanc€s and is an active forag€r and t73. Mictophisdeocata (Hamilton, I822) predator,using the ambush(sit and wait) method Englishnamc: D€ocata Pipcfish ofattack. Local namerKumire! Khil Order: Habih and habitats: Ovoviviparous;feeds or Frmily: Cenlropomidae plankton, wom)s, crLrslaceans,etc. Demefial; Genus:trdra.r Cuvi€r, 1828 amphidromous.Lives among aquatic plants, swims 177. Lates cal.afifer (Bloch, t'790) in a verticalposition by th€ undulatingnovement Englhh nrmes:Banamundi, Sea Bass, Sea Perch, olthe dorsal. Cock'up Order: Synbranchiformes Local namesiBhelki, Koral Family: S).nbranchidae Habitsand habitats:Dradromous fish. inhabiring rivers beiore retuming to the estuari€sio . Genus:Monoprezr Lecepede, 1800 Camivorous, highly predaceous and even 114.Mahapterus cuchia (Hamilton, 1822) cannibalistic,feeding on fishes, crusiaceaxs, English names: Cuchia, cangetic Mud Eel, molluscsand worms.Controls pelagic planldon' FreshwaterMud Eel ieeder .mall fishe. and l'elps ro naillair Local names:Kuchia, Kunche, Kuicha ecolosicalbalance ECOPRTNT VOL 14, 2007 l'amily: Ambassidae Ccnus:acrbgnalrrr Lacepede, l80l Genus:Crd,./d HalniitoD,1822 183. Leiognathusbindw (Vaienciennes,183 5) 178.Chanda nana Hamilton, 1822 Englishnnme: Orangefin Ponyfish English namesrElongatc Glass perchlet, Asian Localnamesi Tak Chanda,Kamala Chanda GlassFish Habits and habitats:Camivorus, amphidromoL6. Local names:Nama Chanda, Chanda Fccds on snall cnNtaceans.insect larvae, Habitsand habitats:Larvivore; for its larvivcrous polychaelcsand wonns on sandor muddysrnd habit, it reducesthe mosqujtopopulalion in the area it lives in. The speciesswims throughthe Demersalin nalLrre.The fish plays an ;nportaDt lou,leJpJdd) field. in .choolsdJ|lr)g Ihe |Jin) roiein thebentlic foodchain. Conrrols larval livcs

Cenus:Ps"danl,a!ri! Bleeker,1874 184.Leiosnathus equuhts (Fo$skil, 1775) \19.Pse danhassisbacutu (Hamjhon, 1822) Englishnsmcs: Common Ponylish, Slipmouths Englishnamesr Hnnalayan Classy Perchle!, Indian LocrlnamerTak Chanda Clllssylrish Habits and habitats:Fccds on zooplanktonand Local namesrKata Chanda, Phopa Chanda benthic inverlebralcs. Reef-associaled Ii:rbits and hrbitatsi Inlabits ffeshwaterponds, amphidromousspecjes with a schoolinghabit. ditclrcs,pooLs and rivers in Bangladcsh.Frequently Pcrlbnnsa majof fole in maintainingthe balancc movesrn schonl:rD fl.!\Jedpcddy ficld" drrrnr ofthe foodchain as a canrivore. the lainy scasoD.By consuminginsect lorvac and CcnusrSefl//orGislcl, 1848 wo nj. rhcrpccie( reLirces thc rDscclpopLrlArion rn 185.Sectiot )hsAiabr (Blach,1787) Englhl namesrPugnose Pooyfish, Silvef Belly 180.Pscudanhtsst:t ktlti (lhmilton, 1822) Locrl nsmcrThutni Clranda Englishn.rmc: Highfin Olassy Perchlet Hrbits rnd hrbitatsi This spccicsis dcnrc$aland Local nanesiLal Chrnda,Kat Chanda narine ir habiral;also seen in brackishwatcr. Thc Ilabits rnd h:rbit0tsiDe crsal;fccds on insecr spcciesis amphidromous.SchooliDg spccies larvAc,wo ns and insccts,CoDtrcls the insccr Feedson pclagic and bcnlhic organismslike populationin thc ccosystemwhere il occurs. zooplankton,including copepods, hysids, larvrl 18l. P.teudambassisranga (Hamilton, 1822) fish€sand small crr$t{ceans Dnglishnrne: indianClassy Fish Smalldcmcrsal harin€ and estualinespecics wirh Local namesrChanda, Ra gn Chanda,Lal Chanda schoolingbehaviour. 11 controls benthic fauna by Hablh rnd habitatsr Prinarily feeds on cflcctivclygmzinS on ihose. zoobenthos,bul aLso on worms and benlhic 186.Seuttar tuconi r (Hdmilton,1822) Englishnamci Deep Pugnosc Ponyfish It lccds on the scalesol carps,cspccially silver Local nrme:Tak Chanda carps.It car compeiefor food andsprcc wilh carp Habits and hrbitntsr Occursin coaslalwdlcfs, speciesin aquaculturclarms, enteNestuafies and rivc$, Adults feedmainly on F,rmily:Sillaginidae zooplanktons,such as crustacerns,€ggs and laruao Ccnus:S;//aar'r?o?.rr! Cill. l86l oflish andother plankronic invertebratcs 182.:iillaghap!is pdnijus (Hamilion, 1822) Also feedson dcbris,benthic algae, weeds aDd trnglishnamcs: cangelic Sillago, Flaihead SilLago ph],toplanktons. Local names:Tular Dandi, Cuj Kama, Tuldandi, Family:Lobotidae SundLa,Hundra (Bangladcsh), Tool Machh,Tool Gcnus:roboler Cuvicr,1829 Belle(Wcst BeDgal) l8'7.Lobates surinonensi' (Bloch, 1790) Habitsand habitrts:Demersal, adaplcd to muddy English nrnles: Triple Tai1,Rocklish, Buoyfish, waierconditions. Feeds on fish crustaceans,a1gae. BlackPerch sandand nud. Migratoryin habil and movesro Local name:Shamudra Koi cstuariesand rivers. Hnbits and habiiats: Carnivorous.Feeds on thc Family:Leiognathidae benthiccrustaceans (shrunps. crabs, eic.) and snall

36 ECOPRTNTVOL 14, 2007 fish. Plays an impodant role jn the aquaiic food Local names:Poa,Poma, Koi Bola,Bola chain as a camivore. Habits and habitats: a pd a usuallyptoduces Family: Datnioididae soundsurder waterdudng the brcedingseason. It Cenusr Dalrtotder Ble€ker, 1853 prefersto live jn lurbid water.The fish is nigratory 188. Datnioides quadrfasciatus (Sevastianov, in habit and moves from tlre estuary to rrvers 1809) Englishnan€: Four-ban€d Tige.fish Family:Scatophagidae Local name:Sagar Meni Ccnusr S.alopra8lr Cuvie., I 831 Habih !nd hsbitats;Camivorous; ieeds on fishes, 194.Scataphosus aryus (Linnaeus, 1766) prawns,crabs and som€insect larvae. The young Englishnames: Spotted Scai, Spolted Butterfish, camouflagefienselves by tumiDgsideways like Spadefish,Argus Fish leaves.Plays the role of a predatorin the coastal Local namerBishtara ecosysrem. I Habits and habitats:Demersal, anphidromous; Fnmily:Sparidac feedson smallfishes, crustaceans and insecls Cenus:lcdrlro?dglrr Peters,1855 Family:Nandidae 189,Acakthopagrus beda (ForsskAl,1775) GenusrNardrs Valenciennes,l83l Englishnames: Picnic Sea Bream, River Br€am, 195. Nanduskandus (Hatr,llton, 1822) ScaBream, Pikey Bream Englishnsmesi Moltled Nandus, Mud Perch Local name:Shada Daiina Local namesrBheda, Meni, Roina, Nandui Habits and habitrts: A bottomlivingfish, feeds Hsbits and hibitatsr Benthopelagic;oocurs on a wide variety ol invertebmtes (worms, lrequentlyin the dilches,beels and inundated molluscs,crustaceans, ecbinoderms, smrll figh, ficlds. etc.).Plays the rol€ of a consumerofbottomliving This camivorousspecics prcfers to stay at the organismsin thecoastal ecosystem, muddybottom and lakes shelter iD the wccds at the 190.Acahthopagrus latus (Hou$yn, 1782) botlom in winter.The fish is sluggislrand very Englishnrmo: Yellow Seabream calm and quiel in nature.Reported to consufte LocalnrmerDalina clay,insect-laNae, fish eggsand small as Hablh lnd habltatsrDemersal. food. A schoolingspecies, i! usuallyfeeds abov€ the Family:Pristolepidae tidal flats.Feeds mainly on echinoderms,worms, GenuorSadir Bieeker, 1853 crustaceansand molluscs, 196.Badi.t badis (Hamilton,1822) F.mily: Sciaenidac EnglishDamcai Badis, Dwarlchanreleonfisb GeDusrJorrl# Bloch,1793 Local names:Koi Bandi,Napit 19l. Johntuscoitor (Hamiltrrn, 1822) Habih and habitah: Benthopelagic,h the Englishnamer Coitor Croakcr aquarium,it has the habit of rcmainirg al (he Locrl names:Koitor, Koitor Poa, Dccre Poa botlomand nibbling at vegelabledctrittli. Feeds on Habits and habitrtsr Demersal,camivorous and worms, cmslaceansand insects, This lish active pr€dator!, feeding generally on the dcmonshatesirnmense adaptive powcrs in fte cnBlaccans,fishes, molluscs and echinoderms. aquaticenvironment by changingbody colou and GelnustMacrcspinosa Moh^n, 1969 growingrap'dly. 192.I,lactuspinosa cuja (Hamilton, 1822) Family;Cichlidae Enslhh namc:Cuja Croaker Genus:O/eo.,trronir Gtinther, I 889 Loc.l nameiKuizzaPoa l9'7.Oreochrcnis nossamlicrr (Pctcls, 1852) Habitsand habitats:M crja is benthopelagicand English names: Tilapia, MozambiqueCichlid, anadromous.It feeds on small fishes and MozambiqueTilapia, Java Tilapia Locrl namerTilapia Genus:Otoi,t rr'.dfjFowler, 1933 Hrbirs and habilals: Belr',olelrric 193.Otolithoides pama (Hamilton. 1822) anphidromou. Omnivorous,feeds on almost Englishnames:Pama Croakcr, Pama anlthing ftom algae to insects. Juvcniies are

ECOPRTNTVOL 14, :007 camivorous,adults tend to be herbivorous_Fast Habits and habitats: M. cephalus is a s]jrface growing, highly fecund,can tolerate a wide variery dwelling fish and an omnivore when youns, but of wdrercondirions rinclud:ng .atinity ranging preferszooplankion and small fish and crustaceans fiom 34-48ppt). Onceintroduced into a habitat, as it grows.Schooling species- They pick up mud the speciesgenerally establishitself very quickly. ftom fhe bottom and strain plant and animal Mainly diumal, may form schools. cenerally rhe material from it through their sieveiike gillrakers adult fish performs the role as the first consum€r and pharyrg€al teeth. Indigestible materials are andIheju\eDile as the higher levelofconsume'. jn the aqualicfood chain. The fish hasproved to be a Gemls: Rhinonugil Gill, 1863 pest, becauseof its ability to matule early and to 201.Rhinomugil corsula (Hamiiton, I822) breed more fiequently, resulting in its Englishnamei Corsula Mullet overpopulationin ponds.Seveml countries report Local nrmes: Kiorsula. Bala. Kial.a, Ar$ari, anadve'se eco.ogical impact aner irs inroducrion. Halla,Hira, Khor, Pungtara, Urul It compet€swith smau indigenousfish and Habitsand habitats:It is a suface-dwellingfish graduallyoccupies their habitats. andan omnivorein its feedinghabir while young, lgs.Oreachromhnilatic s (Linna€us,1758) but prefers zooplanlton and small fish and Engltshnamei Nile Tilapia crustac€ansas it grows, Local names:Tilapia, Nilotica They pick up mud fiom the bottom and strain plant Hsbils and habitats. Benrhopelagic.andanimal material from it throughtheir sieve-like amphidromous fish. Mainly diumal, may form gillrakeN and pharyngeal teeth. Indigesrible schook. Omnivorous,leeds on almosran)thing mate alsare gpat out, fron algaeto insects,Juveniles are camivorous, Swimswith their eyeson the water surfbce. 6dultstend !o beherbivorous. Fast gowing, higbly Family:Polynemidae fecund,and can toler4tea wide varietyof water GenusrPotrenr.r Linnaeus,1758 conditions (even marine conditiono. Once 202. paradiserr Linnaeus, 1758 introducedinto a habitatthey generallyestablish Englishnamc: Paradise themselve8very quickly. Cohp€teswith small Local names:Taposi,Tapsi, Bairagi, Muni, Rishi indigenousfish and graduclly occupiesrheir Habltsand habitrtsrPr€dator; hunts macro-fauna. habitats.The fish has proved to be harmfulto other Feedson benihicorganisms, small fin fishesand fish species,because of its abjlityto matureearly shrrmps, and to breed more frequ€ntly resulting in its FamilytCobiidae overpopulationin theponds. GenustAcentogobius Bleeket, |874 FamilyrMugilidae 203.Acenuogobiu:t coni rr (Valenci€nnes,1837) Gcnus:Zlzd Jordan and Swain, 1884 Englishname: Tropic6l Sand coby 199.Li% parsia (Hamilton, 1822) Localnamer Baillah Englishname: Coldspot Mullet Habih and habitats:Demersal; oceanodromous. Local names:Parse, Parse Bata, Klalla, Klalla Occursalong the coastlinesand in csturriesand Baia harbours.Usually found in brackjsh tidal warers with sandymud Hrbits and habitats: Feeds on sma algae, bottom. Feedson inv€tebrates. diatoms,and other organic matters.Demersal and 204.Acentrcgabius catadromous;moves in schools.It feedson slrlau cyanolror(Blecker, 1849) Englishnamer Nuna (Bangladesh) algae,thus avoidingcomperition with other fish Baila Local namc:Nuna Baila Hrbits and habitatsi Genus:Mrgil Ljnna€us,1758 Demersal;amphidronrous. Camivorous,oft en sluggish. 200.Mugil cephalusLln ae.uf',l758 205.Acentrcgobiw yiridiprrcla/rr English names: ryalencienn€s, Stripped Mull€t, Flat Head r837) Mullet,Black Mullet, Fatback Englishnam€: Spotted cr€en Coby Local names:Korol, Khorool, Bhangan, Parse Local name:Bailla

38 ECOPRINT VOL 14, 2007 Habits and habitats: Carnivorous and sluggish other fish species.It is effective in controlling rhe fishes of shallow waters. The fish controls th€ gror4h of algae. benthicpopuLation in aquaticecosysten. cer.ns: BrachygobiusBleeker, l8'74 GenlustApocryptes Y^Lnciemes, 1837 210.BrcchJeobius nunus (Hamilton, 1822) 206. ApocryptT bato (Hafiiktr., 1822) English namesi BlLmblebeeGoby, Golden-banded Englishname: Goby Goby Local nam€s:Chirirg, Rutta, Chewa Bele Local nameiNuna Baila Habirrand habitals: Demersalr mphidromous. Habits and habittts: The speciesplays an F€eds on small invertebrates,especially snall importantrole in thebiological conb-ol ofinsects. Occupiesthe third tophic level in the food chalns Plays an imponant role jn controlling the both in water and mudflats. rnverrebralepopulduon in rheecosyslem $berc il Ge'l.]''s.Eugnathogobius Smith, 1931 lives. 211.El.Enathogobius oligacrs (Bleeker, 1875) Genus:.4iraorrValenciennes, I 837 Englishname: Goby 207. Awaoussrannepam r (Bleeker,1 849) Local namciBele English names:Streaked River Goby, Scribbled Habits and habitatsi Feedson small fishesand Goby invertebrates.With its large mouth and poinled Locrlnrme:Bele teeththe speciesacts as a predatorof smaLlfishos Habits and hrbitrts: Benthopelagic.in theestuaries and tidal water ecosystem, amphidromous.Feeds mainly on filamentousaigae Cenus:G/ossogorrr$ Cill, 1860 and dipteranlaNae and also smalLfishes 6Dd 212,Glassogobius giuris (Hamilron, 1822) Englishnames: Tank Coby, Bar-eyed oobby 208.Awaout guanensh (Valenciennes, 1837) Local names:Beie, Baiila Englishnamer Scribbled Coby Habits and habitatsi The fish is predatoryand Local namesrBele, Bailla bunowingin natureand il is reportedto live inside Habits lnd hrbitsts: Demersal;amphidromous. soil holeson the bed of walerbodies. Il preyson The species often burows in river beds; small fish lry, insectlarva€, fish eggs,etc. Also ornnivorousfeeds on algae,worms, crustaceans, feedson sand,clay and other decayingorganrc variousinsects and insectlarvae, and suspended matter.The fish also feeds on unicellularand particl$. food multic€llularalgae and worms. It is voraciousand Genus|Boleophthalmus valenciennes, I837 is foundto swallowany kind of food sunounding (Pallas, 209.Boleophthalmus boddarll 1770) its habitat.Il getsready to prey on its food by English nam€sr Boddart's Goggle"eyedGoby, k€eping iis mouih open. lt chases other Mudskipper nicrofauna.The ffsh is mi$atory in habit, ihc LocalnameiDahuk speci€splays a significantrole in ke€pingthe Hrbih and babitats:Inhabits €stuaries and tidal rivers.The fish is migratoryin habitand migrates Genus:Gobiopl€/rs Bleekor, 1874 lor food, shelterand secuiry. At low tid€, th€ fish 213. Gobiopteru,,chuno (Hamilton, 1822) crn bc (cenwalkrng on mudnars.acrively forrgirg for food. It also feeds on unicellulaf and Englishname: Glass Coby mullicellularalgae and worms. It cm walk by Local name:Chuno Bele usingits highly modifiodpectoral fins muchlike Habits rnd habitats: Feeds mainly on ihe legs.It nceds1() poke its headsabove ihe water zooplanlron.A benthrcspamerin I\e c'luarine srdace and gulp air, to retain water in the large gill-charnberrhdr closes tightly wben rl'e fi(h is Genus:Oiyricrlrls Bleeker,1860 above the water. lt sits on stalks and periscope 214.Oi),urichthys microlepis (Bleeker, 1849) dboverhe $arer. $hile lhe resrof tbebody rem,ains Englishnames: Fine Scale Arro*dn Goby,Smal' safely underwater.By consumingalgae and other scaledCoby plant parts,this small fish avoids compeiitionwrih Loc.l name:N|maBaila

ECOPRTNT VOL 14, 2oo7 Habits and habitatsi Demersal;amphidromous. 219.Scaftelaos histophorrs (valenciennes, 1837) Feedson snall aquaticorganlsms. Englishname: Walking Goby UnJIl,,reredirn or pecrorrlfns whiles$in ming Local nam€s:Dahuk, Dalak Modeofswin.ning is diodoniiform. Habits and habitats: Demersal;anphidromous. Playsa role in completingthe aquaticfood charn Feedson insectsand other snau invertebrates. becauseofits feedinghabit. Activelyshrittling back and forth between the rock Gen'.llt PdrupocryptesBleeket. 1874 poolsand air. Anphibious air-brealher 2t5. Parupoct),ptesbdtoi.tei (Day, 1876) Genus:SrbuatoAo,t r Bleeker,1874 Englishnamc: Coby 220. Stignatogobie, sadanundio(Ha:r,iltoln, 1822) Local nnmcs:DaliChewa, Chewa Bele, Chiring Englishnamei Knight Goby Habits and habitats: Fecds on small aquatic Local name:Baila organisns.Plays aD important role in the aquatic Habits and habitats:Feeds on small iishesand lbodchain by fccdingon smallaquatioorganisns. invertebrates,including nlosquito larvae, insects, Gcnxs.Petit)phthalnda, Bleeker,1874 tubifexworms, etc. Bottom'dwelling fish. 2 I 6. P eria p hth a lmo d on .,c h loss ei (Pa1las, 17'7 0) Family: cobioididae Englishname: Mudskippcr Gen$t Odonlanb[lopus Bleeke\ \8'14 Local nanes:Sada Phota Dahuk, Dahuk 221, Odontanhlyopusntbicundus (El,.n1ilror, Habih and habitats:lnscctivorous, comes ashore t822) ontomudllats lor fccding.It findsshelter in holes Englishname: Rubicundus Eclgoby in dre stjfl mud. Moves rapidly in the mud by Local name:Lal Chewa nippingthe tail. Habits and hrbitats: Benlhopclf,gic and It construclsa permaneotburrow in whichit takes amphidromous,Feeds on bolion delrit!rc, refugewhen alarmed, chironomidlaffae and worms.Playsa selulrole The specics plays an important role in thc as a detlitusfeeder and keepsthe belthic habitat biologicalcontrol ol'i secls. Cenus: Periophlhalms llloch and Schneider, Genus:Iaertrider Lacrpcdc,1798 1801 222,Taehiodet buchakahl (Day, I873) 2l'7.Petiophthalmus kaelrerl€r,, (PAllas, 1770) Englishnamer Bulmcsc Gobyccl Englhh nrmc: Mudskippcr Loc.l namerRaja Chewa Local name:Dahuk I'Ilbih and habitats: Demersal,amphidromous, Hrbits and habitah: Arl1phibiorN,air-breather; carnivorous.Fecding upon amphipodsrmyskl skipsofwalks on sandor nud in scarchoffood shli ps andsmall fish. Drigmtoryin fiAbit.At low 1ide,nrudskippers can 223. T.tcnioidescitahts (Blyth, 1860) be seenwalking on mudflatsrforaging lor food.It Englishnrmci B€ardedWorm Goby is a carnivorousopportunistic f€ed€r. Feeds on Locll name:Chcwa smallpr€y suchas insccts,small crabsand olhcr Hnbitu rnd habitahr The fish can live out o. alhropods.Can walk by usingthe higl y modified walcrlor a considerabletime by takingair inio the pcctoral (swimning) fins much like legs. By brarchinl chambers.Feeds on crustaceansand flipping their bodies,thcy can 'rskip"across thc olhefinvertebrates as wellas smallfidres. nrud (and water),which is an cffectiveway of Fanily: Elcotridac avoidingpredalors. Getrus:Arli.r Bleeker, 1874 Gcnt\y Pseulapoctlptes Ble.ker, 1A74 224.Butis bnis (H^'\ilro\, \822) 218.Pseudapocrypte.! ela,sdr,s (Cuvier,l8l6) Englishnlne: DuckbillSleeper Englishname: PoiDt€d-tailed Goby Local nam€:Baila Local nimcs:Chewa, Chning Habits and hnbitrts: Usuallyfound in lagoons Habits and habitatsr D€mersal;amphidromous, and e'ruaries.paai.I irl) u'rere rhere r\ ajr-breatier.Plays the role of a detritusand insect vegetation.Demersal, amplidronous, occasionatly feederin thebottom oftheir habitat. ascendsrivers, bentbic. solitary, carnivorous, feeds Genus;Scdrt€laor Swainson, 1839 mainlyon snallfishes,crlLstaceans and detritus.

40 ECOPRTNTVOr,14j 2007 225. Butisnelanostigha (Bleeker, 1849) Local narne:KoiBandi English names:Black Spot Sleepercoby, Btack Habits and habitats: Benthopelagic.Fecds on SpottedGudgeon insectsand zooplankton.Prefers stagnant or slow- Localname:Kalo Baila flowing water with thick vegetation, such as Habits and habitats: Benthic, solirary, grasses,roots and floatingplants. A bubblenest cannvorous,lbeds nainly on sma1l fishes, builder. I! is a fairly good larvivorous fish and crustaceansand det.itus. Dernersal, amphidrcnous. helps to control the insects and zooplankton Genus:tl"ofir Blochand Schneider, 1801 populationin theaquatic ecosystem. 226.Eteatris.fu.'ca (Btoch and Schneider, 1801) Genus:Colira Cuvier, 1831 Englishnames: Dusky Sle€per,Brown cudgeon, 230.Colisa fasciata (B1och and Schneider, I 801 ) BrownSleep€r Englishnamcs: qrripled Courdmi. G.anr CoJrami. Local names:Kuli, BudhBaila, Blrrjt Be1e, coby Local names:Kiailsha, Khoila, Cheli, Kloira Habits and hrbitrts: Demersal;amphidromous. Hsbih snd habitats:An onnivore.prefers to feed F€ed ma;nly on zoobenthos,such as benmrc on insect larr'ae living among dense aquatic crusiaceans(crabs, shfimps,prawns, etc.) and vegetaiionof shallowwaters. insects(midges, mayflies, odonata,trichoptvra, Aedal r€spirationis performedwith a pair of etc). suprabranchialchambers, cacb containing a 227. EleotrirluteaDay,1876 compiicaledlabyrinthine organ. This fish is bardy, trnglishname: Lut€a Sleeper peacefuland casy io feedin theaquarium Local namcs:Kuli, Coby 23 | . Colisa lalia (Hanilton, 1822) Hablh and habitats;Sleepers occur in lreshor Englishnames; DwariGourami, Red Courami brackishwaters, although some species are tnly Local nemesr Lal Khailsha, Baicha, Ranga marine.These arc bottom-dwellingfishes and are Khailsha camivorous.Juveniles and adultsfeed mainly on Hablh and habitatsiDwarfCourarnie can brcathe zoobenthos,such as benthiccrustacea and insecrs, air directlyand frequents the surface ofthe habitat. Sometimesthey feed on smallbonylishes. ln naiurethe specieseats small insects and larvae Family:Anabantidae from the surfaceofwaler, andgrazes algal groMh Gcnus:,rdrarCuvi€r and Cloquet, I8I6 on plants. Dwarf gourami is found ill thickly 228.Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1795) vegetatedwaler in beels,haors and ponds.It is Engli$ nrmes:The ClimbingPerch, Clirnbing effectivein conrrollingalgal growth on plants. Bdss,Walking Fjsh Genus:C/erop Mccl€liand,1845 Local names:Koi, Co|vlr,Kai 232.Ctenaps nabilis Mcclellaud, 1845 Habits and hrbit:ttsr Clinbing perches are English nrmes: lndian Paradis€fish,Fiail omnivorous,feeding on inverlebrates,fish ano Gourami,Indian courami plants.Visual fccder, feeding p$larily duringthe Local namesr Ne{tani, Napit Khailslu, day.Can survive for somehours out ofwaterwu Modhumala the heip of an accessoryrespiratory organ. In the Habits and habitats:Benthopelagic, Iawivorous. dry season,the speciesremains buded under the Likesto stayand swim in surfacewater. In winrer mud. Dxring fie hea\.y rain, the fish js found io it usuallysticks to theroots of the hyacinll wanderlong distanccson land.Migration is nost walcr Genus:Zr,.rogaster- commonat night and atter rainsiorms.They use Schneider,1801 mainlythcir tail andspirly opercle for thispurpose. 233.Trichagaster chuna (Hamilton, 1822) Conlrolswater pollution by consumingaquatic trnglishnam€i Hon€ycourami plantsand detritus- On an averagea fish feedson Local nam€s:Chuna Khailsha, Baicha around150 larvae and pup3e ofnosquito a day Habircand habitats: OtIni\ orors. befl f opelagic. l'rmily: Osphrcnemidae Keepsthe water clean by consumingplanktonj GemrstPseudosphtumenus Bleeker, 1879 vegetationand detritus. 229. Pseudosphrcnenuscran,s (Cuvier,1 83 I ) 234.Ttichagxter pectarciir (Regan, 1909) English names:Spikerailed Paradise Fish, Red Englhh nanesi Snakeskincourami, Siancse EycdSpiketailed Paradise Fish Gourami

ECOPRTNTVOL 14, 2007 41 Loca]name: Gouami bedhic algae and detritus liom tne aquatic Hrbits and habitats: Benthopelagic, potamodromous.Genemlly feeds on aquaticplants. Family:C].noglossidae Live food inciudes insects,Tubifex, ins€ct larvae, Genus: O,irglo$rs Hamilton, I 822 crusiaceans,flakesj pellets, chopped spinach and 239. Cy oslossus arcl (Bloch and Sclneider, Iettucewhen the fish is rear€din a, aquarium.Can 1801) brcarheair direcrJ). ,s $ell a. absorbo\ygen rom Englishname: Largescale Tonguesole water through its gills. By fbedingon aquatic Locrl nam€:Kukur Jeeb plants,the fish playsthe role of th€ fiIs! consumer Habits and habitats: Demersalanphidromoris. in anaquaiic food chain. Bottom-dwellingflat fish. The spoci€shas the Family:Mastacemb€lidae habitofhiding tull bodyunder sand or softbottom, Gen$t i[dcrogwthus Lacepede,1800 and keepiry th€ eyes outsid€ to caplure prey 235.Macrcsnathus aculedrw (Bloch, 1786) wandering to its pedpheml areas. Feeds Engliih nsmes:Lesser Spin) Eel. One-tripe predominantlyon the boltomliving invertebrates SpinyE€I,Spottcd Spiny Eel, Peacock Spiny Eel andsmall fishes. Local names:Tam Baim, Baim, Bam, Ban 240. Cynoslossuscrnagloss"r (Hanilton, I 822) Habits and hrbitats: A bottom-fceder.Feeds on English namesrBengal Tongue Sole, Gangetic detritusand insectlarvae. Plays an importantrole TongueSole rn conrollinglhe populaLion of hn|mtulinsecc in Local namcrKukur Jeeb the envifonmentthrough ils feedinghabits. It atso Habits and habitats:Inhabits muddy and sand) helpsto conlrolwater pollution by eatingdetritus. bottomof the continenlalshelf. Feeds mostlv url 236.MaLrognath s pohcalarHahilton, 1822 bottomliving invertebrat€s.It has the habir of Engltshnamer Slripcd Spiny Eel hiding its full body under sand or in the sofr Local names:cuchi Bairn,Guchi, Chirka, Turi bottom, keeping eyes outside to caplure prey Habitsand habitahrMostly debris-feeders. Some wanderingto its peripheral areas. Plays an other food items include Nymphula, Chirokohlus, ihpo anl role in controlling boltofi-livrng Linnophila, C lex, Eristalir, Cerutopogan, etc. Thespecies likes to hidejn thebottom mud. Keeps 241.Cynoglosstlt lingua Hamikon, I 822 the water clean by consumingdetrilus fiom the Englishname:Long Tonguc Sole bottonr of the aqualic environment.Som€times Locrl namerKukur Jeeb competeswith otherspiny eels. Habits and habitats: Demersal,amphidromous Cenust MastacenbelusScopoli, I7'77 Ent€rsestuaries and tidal riv€rs.F€eds mainly on 23'7. Mattacembelu,, armalrs (Lac€pede, I 800) the b€nthic invertebrates.Through irs feedmg Englishnanc: Tir€-lrackSpiny Eel habits the species controls the invertebrate Local names:Baim, Sal Bair4 Bain, Bamosh, populalionsof thebenthic environm€nt. Bumnj,Gont Genus:Pdlapl ,lsi, Bleeker,1865 Habitsand habitats:Juvenil€s f€€d on crustaccan 242.Parcplagusia bilineata (Bloch, l?84) andins€ct lanae. Adultsfeed on barbs,minnows, English names: Fingerlip Tonguesole, other small fishes, shrimps and prawns and DoublelinedTonguesole, Lemon Tonguesoie radpoes. Prels on friesoio$e' specicrdue ro irs Local nam€:KukurJeeb pr€datoryhabit. Habits and habitats:Feeds predomiDantly on the Orden Pleuronectiformes bottomliving invertebrates.Peac€tuI and quiet Family:Bothidae Family: Soleidae GenustPseudorhonhus Bleeke\ 1862 Genus:Br.dcr,rus Swainson. 1839 238. Pseudofionbus atsirs (Hamilton, I 822) 24J.Bra"hmr ,/1,,/a/ic (Blochdnd \chreiaer, Englishname: Largeloothed Flound€r 1801) Local names:Serbati, Bam Daitta Serbati Englishnrme: OrientalSole Habits and habit!tur Demtrsal,oceanodromous. Local nam€s:DanchouklG S€rboti, Kathal Pata, Carnivore, feeds on the benthic fauna. Controls BatPata

42 ECOPRINT VOL 14, 2007 Habits and habitatsiCarivorous, feeding at the Locll nam€s:EkThuita, Ek Thota bottom,devouring mostly small fishes,bottom- Habits and habitats: Oviparous; p€lagic, dwelling invertebrates, especially small potamodromous.It movesin clusters,lvlainly feeds crustaceans, molluscs and otheff. Noctunal on zooplanklonand aquaticinsects. anin1als,and most of the time they remain hidden Gen]ustZenarchopterus Gill, 1864 in thesand ar the bottom. 249.Zenarchoptew ectu,rllo (Hamilton, 1822) 244. Btuchiruspan (Hamjlton, 1.822) Englishname: Pan Sole Englishname: Ectuntio Localnames:Kalhal Pata, Serbati, Pan Paia Local names:Ek Tbuitia,Ek Thota Habih and babitatsr Demersal. This is a Habils and habilats:Smdll-si/ed, lhe !ail ;s nocturnalspecies and often hides in the sandat the vibratedrapidly to propelthe fish.Usually trav€ls bottomwith exposedeyes and gills. Feedsmninly in schools and ieeds on floating sea grasses, on bottom-dwellioginvertebrates, €specially small crustaceansand smal1fishes. Controls the ins€ct populationof theaquatic ecosysten. order: Family:Belonidae Order: Tetraodoniiformes Celi^t XenentodonRegan, 1911 tr'amily:Tetmodontidae 245.Xenentadan cancila (Hamilton, 1 822) Genus:Ielrrodo, Linnaeus,1758 Englishnames: Freshwater Garlish, Needle Fish, 250.Tetruodon cutcutk Hamilton,1822 English namesi OcellatedPufferfish, Common Local nsmes:Kanldla, Kaikya, Kakila Pufferfish Hablh and habitsts: Predator, live feeder, aggressive.Feeds on live fish, tadpoles,shrimp, Local names:Tepa, Ku*uitta, Patka crickelsand other insects, Acts as a pr€datorin the Habits and habitrts: Occurs in ponds,beels, surfacelayer of theecosystem, canalsand rivers,Uses its teethto crunchthrough Family:Hemiramphidae the shellsof molluscsand cruslaceans on whichit Genus:Dernogerls van Hasselt, 1823 feeds.It canmake 6loud raspingnoise by grinding 246. Demogenys bruchynatopterus(Bleeker, the teeth.Not swift swimn€rs,lt hasthe abilityto r8s3) inflatethe body with air or water,gulping quickly Englishnamei Cangetic Halfbeak andlhen tuming upside do*,n so thatit canIloat lo Local nameiEk Thota thesurface. It expelsthe air or waterrapidly with a Habitsand habitals:Pelagrc. rnhabrls estuanes. loudb€lch to retumto th€normal siz€. Viviparous.Feeds on insectlarvae. By its feeding This fishhas inmense adaprive power: ro 5ururve. habits lhe species is known to control mosquito Foodhabit of the specieschanges according to ils larvaein theaquatic habitat. gro\Mh Ienperanenr of this .pecies ic 247.Dermogenys pusillus van Hassel!, 1823 comparativelypeac€tul. Englishnamei Wrcstling Hallbea.k GenusrCrelorodo, Miiller, 1839 Local nrme: Ek Thota 251.Chelanodon patoca (Hamilton, 1822) Habits and habitats: Pelagic,these half beaks feed on insectsand other live foods which they Englishnames: Gangetic Pufferfish. Milk Spotted capturc as dley swin along the surface. By its Puffer fe€ding habits th€ speci€s is knoun to control Local names:Potka, Fotka mosquitoiarvae in the aquaticecosystems. Habits and habitats: Onmivorous,anadronous. C.rtst HypothamphusCil1, 1859 This firh hacinrnrense adapr've powerc ro survi!e. 248. Hrpofidhph,s /t-,arzr (Valenciennes,Food habit of the specieschanges accordinS to r846) growd.. Temperamenr of rl- s .pecics L Englishnane: CongaturiHalfbeak comparativelypeacetul. ECOPRINT VOL 14, 2007 CONCLUSION classifioationof living forns. Bull. Anerican Mu' Na| Hist. 131(4)1339'456. This is an amorated checklist ofthe teshwater Hamilton, F. 1822. An Account of the Fishes fishes of Bangladesh.Of the 251 speciesof Found in the Rtuer Gangesa d itt Brunches freshwaterfishes IUCN Bangladesh(2000) rated Archibald Constableand Company,Edinblllgh about 54 as threatened,and about 66 as data 405pp. deficient. Dala defioient indicaies that no IUCN Bangladesb.2000. Red Book af Thrcatened informationis availableon the availabilityofthese Fishes of Bangladesh. IUCN-The world species.This meansthese fishes are alsoat risk. ConservationUnion. I 16pp. So.In prdclice abour 50oo of Bangladeshfish face Jayaram,K.C. t999. TheFreshwater Fishes of the differenrcaregories of threals.Piscicrhure in Indian Region. Narendra Publishing House, wat€rbodiesincreases the threats closed and open ,India.55lpp. to indigenousfish species.Many of Bangladeshis Jordan,D.S. 1923. A classificationof Iishes, evendo not knowwhal species offishes th€y have includingfamilies and generaas far as known. Sincethe origin of mostof in their waterbodies. Stan:fodUniv. P b. Bio!.\et 3,77"243. our majorri\ers rsrne Himalayas.rh.s publication Nelson,J.s. 1994. Fithes a.f the f/orLd Thid couldbe of someuse to the ichthylogistsin the edition.John Wiley andSons, Inc., New York. region. 600pp, Rahman, A.K.A. 2005. Frcsht/ater Filhes oJ REFERENCES Bangtadesh.2"r ed. Zoological Society of ol East , Ahmad, N. 1953. Fish-fauna Bangladesh,Dhaka. 394 pp. PakistahJ. Sci S(l)tI8-24. Shafi, M. and M.M.A. Quddus. 2001 Dacea. \p Bhniyan,A,L. 1964. Fishesol BangladesherMothsho Shanpad (ii Bet\}al:1) pp. SocietyofPakistan, Dacca, 148 KabirPublication, Dhaka. 442 pP lndia, being a Day, F. t8?5-78. The F\hes of shaw,G.E. and O. Shebbeare.1937. The Fishesof FishesK oia)nlo Inhabil Natural Histary oflhe Norihem Bengal. Jotr,',ld| of lhe Raral Asialic Burna, lhe Seasand Fresh Waters of IMia, Societyof Beneal. 11\t1 -138. ond Ceylon. Vol. i and 2 TodaY and Talwar, P.K. and A.G. Jhingran l991. Inland Tomorrow'sBook Ag€ncy,New Delhi, India Fishesollndia andAdjacent Couniri€s. Vol l 778pp. and 2. Oxford and IBH PublishingCo Pvt. and Greenwood,P.H., D.E. Rosen, S-H. Weitzman Ltd.,New Delhi,lndia. 1158 pp. G.S. Myers. 1966. Phyletic studies of teleostean fish€s, widl a provisional

44 ECOPRINT YOL 14, 2oo7