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Batchwa vacha (Eutropiichthys vacha) — Schilbeidae

Batchwa vacha

Eutropiichthys vacha
Family: Schilbeidae

The Batchwa vacha (Eutropiichthys vacha) is a brackish-water fish of the family Schilbeidae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
38.2 cm
Water
Brackish
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The batchwa vacha is a schilbid catfish (Schilbeidae) from large rivers of South Asia, including the Ganges and Brahmaputra basins. The species grows to about 38 cm and has an elongate, silvery, laterally compressed body with an adipose fin, long barbels and a deeply forked tail. As a nocturnal, schooling predator it hunts small fish, insects and crustaceans in open river water. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Batchwa vacha?

The Batchwa vacha has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Batchwa vacha live?

The Batchwa vacha lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand

How big does the Batchwa vacha get?

The Batchwa vacha grows to a maximum of about 38 cm.

Is the Batchwa vacha dangerous to humans?

No, the Batchwa vacha is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Batchwa vacha edible?

Yes, the Batchwa vacha is commonly eaten.

More photos

Batchwa vacha (Eutropiichthys vacha) — Schilbeidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) prian_pisces, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Batchwa vacha (Eutropiichthys vacha) — Schilbeidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Francis Day and Suzini (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Batchwa vacha sourced
Scientific name
Eutropiichthys vacha
Family
Schilbeidae
Other names
Batchwa vacha; River catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
38.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Asia: Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Schilbeidae

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