Rohu

The rohu is a large, silver-colored fish of typical cyprinid shape, with a conspicuously arched head. Adults can reach a maximum weight of {{convert|45|kg|abbr=on}} and maximum length of {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}}, but average around {{convert|1/2|m|ft|abbr=on}}.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

The rohu occurs in rivers throughout much of northern and central and eastern India,{{cite web|url=http://www.agrifarming.in/rohu-fish-farming/|title=Rohu Fish Farming Information Guide - Agri Farming|date=26 August 2015|website=Agrifarming.in|access-date=8 September 2018}} Pakistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar, and has been introduced into some of the rivers of Peninsular India and Sri Lanka.{{FishBase | genus = Labeo | species = rohita | month = May | year = 2013}}

The species is an omnivore with specific food preferences at different life stages. During the early stages of its lifecycle, it eats mainly zooplankton, moving onto phytoplankton in later stages of life. Rohu are herbivorous column feeders, eating mainly phytoplankton and submerged vegetation. It has modified, thin hair-like gill rakers, which it uses to feeds by sieving the water.{{cite web|url=http://www.keralaagriculture.gov.in/htmle/bankableagriprojects/fish%5Cfishculture.htm |title=Composite fish culture |website=Kerelaagriculture.gov.in |access-date=2012-03-10}}

Rohu reach sexual maturity between two and five years of age. They generally spawn during the monsoon season, keeping to the middle of flooded rivers above tidal reach. The spawning season of rohu generally coincides with the southwest monsoon. Spawn may be collected from rivers and reared in tanks and lakes.

The Rohu can be infested by the acanthocephalan parasite Paraechinorhynchus kalriai which attaches to the inner lining of the small intestine.Bilqees, F. M., & Aly Khan, A. K. (1983). Paraechinorhynchus kalriai ng, n. sp.(Neoechinorhynchidea: Neoechinorhynchinae) from Labeo rohita (Ham).

File:Roho labeo, aquaculture production, million tonnes, 1950-2022.svg{{Cite web |title=Fisheries and Aquaculture - Global Production |url=https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/collection/global_production?lang=en |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)}}]]

The rohu is an important aquacultured freshwater species in South Asia.{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/fishery/culturedspecies/Labeo_rohita/en|title=FAO Fisheries & Aquaculture Labeo rohita|website=Fao.org|access-date=8 September 2018}} When cultured, it does not breed in lake ecosystems, so induced spawning is necessary.{{cite journal|url=http://www.nefisco.org/downloads/DevelopmentOfFreshwaterFishFarming.pdf|title=Development of freshwater fish farming and poverty alleviation - A case study from Bangladesh|last1=de Graaf|first1=G.|last2=Latif|first2=A.|year=2002|journal=Aquaculture Asia|volume=7|issue=2|page=5}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nickparkerllc.com/index_pdf/pubs/parker/33induced.htm|title=Induced spawning of Indian major carps through a single application of Ovaprim-C.|last=Nandeesha|first=M.C.|date=1990|publisher=Asian Fisheries Society|access-date=23 January 2017}} The rohu is also prized as a game fish.

File:Labeo rohita at traditional holiday market.jpg

Rohu is very commonly eaten in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and the Indian states of Tripura, Nagaland, Bihar, Odisha, Assam, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana,Tamilnadu and Uttar Pradesh.

A recipe for fried Rohu fish is mentioned in Manasollasa, a 12th-century Sanskrit encyclopedia compiled by Someshvara III, who ruled from present-day Karnataka. In this recipe, the fish is marinated in asafoetida and salt after being skinned. It is then dipped in turmeric mixed in water before being fried.{{cite book |author=K.T. Achaya |title=The Story of Our Food |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bk9RHRCqZOkC&pg=PA85 |year=2003 |publisher=Universities Press |isbn=978-81-7371-293-7 |page=85 }}

Rohu caught in Mithila are known as Mithila Rohu Machh (Maithili: मिथिला रोहु माछ) and considered tastier than the Rohu varieties found in the coastal areas. The Bihar State government is currently making efforts to establish a List of geographical indications in India (GI) tag for the fish.{{Cite web |title=Mithila's 'Rohu' |url=https://www.drishtiias.com/state-pcs-current-affairs/mithila-s-rohu |access-date=2022-07-16 |website=Drishti IAS |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Bihar govt to approach Centre over GI tag for Mithila's Rohu fish |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/current-affairs-trends/bihar-govt-to-approach-centre-over-gi-tag-for-mithilas-rohu-fish-8325231.html |access-date=2022-07-16 |website=Moneycontrol |language=en}}

Rohu is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamin A, Vitamin B and Vitamin C.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/10-healthiest-indian-fish-varieties-and-why-you-must-have-them/photostory/70315973.cms|title=10 healthiest Indian fish varieties and why you must have them|access-date=30 October 2022}} It is also rich in Vitamin D, a Vitamin which is present only in a few foods and consumption of the fish may prevent Osteoporosis, a Vitamin D deficiency disease.{{Cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/healthcare/wellness/world-osteoporosis-day-things-women-can-do-to-make-their-bones-stronger/2730234/|title=World Osteoporosis Day: Things women can do to make their bones stronger|access-date=30 October 2022}} It is also a good source of high quality protein.

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Category:Cyprinid fish of Asia

Category:Fish of Thailand

Category:Fish described in 1822

Category:Labeoninae

Category:Fish of Bangladesh