Rohu

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Rohu
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Cypriniformes Family: Cyprinidae Genus: Labeo Species: L. rohita
Binomial name
Labeo rohita Hamilton, 1822

Rohu (Labeo rohita) is a fish of the carp family Cyprinidae, found commonly in rivers and freshwater lakes in and around the South Asia and South-East Asia. It is a herbivore. In Hindi it is called Rohu.(Rawas is the Indian Salmon, which is quite different) It is called rui in Bengali, rou in Assamese and is popular in Thailand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, and the Konkan region of India. It is a non-oily/white fish.

The roe of rohu is also considered as a delicacy by Bengalis. It is deep fried and served hot as an appetizer as part of a Bengali meal. It is also stuffed inside pointed gourd to make potoler dorma which is a delicacy often prepared to satisfy the palate of the discerning guest. Rohu is also served deep fried in mustard oil, as kalia which is a rich gravy made of concoction of spices and deeply browned onions and tok , where the fish is cooked in a flavorful and tangy sauce made of tamarind and mustard. Rohu is also very popular in Northern India such as in the province of Punjab. It is a speciality of Lahori cuisine as in Lahori fried fish, prepared with batter and spices.

It has a body length of 2-3 feet. mouth is present on the ventral side. Teeth are absent in jaws. a single gill opning is present on both sides of the head, which is covered with operculum. Body is covered with scales but in the head region scales are absent

The Rohu is also a famed sportfish and gives an adrenaline charged fight, often leaping several feet into the air.

[edit] References

• Labeo rohita (TSN 163681). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 30 January 2006.
• "Labeo rohita". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. November 2005 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2005.