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Garua bachcha (Clupisoma garua) — Schilbeidae

Garua bachcha

Clupisoma garua
Family: Schilbeidae

The Garua bachcha (Clupisoma garua) is a brackish-water fish of the family Schilbeidae that grows up to 61 cm.

Length
60.9 cm
Water
Brackish
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The garua bachcha is a schilbid catfish (Schilbeidae) from large rivers of South Asia, including the Ganges and Indus basins. The species grows to about 60 cm and has an elongate, silvery, laterally compressed body with an adipose fin, long barbels and a deeply forked tail. As an open-water schooling fish it migrates through the river and eats insects, small fish, crustaceans and plant material. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Garua bachcha?

The Garua bachcha has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Garua bachcha live?

The Garua bachcha lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan

How big does the Garua bachcha get?

The Garua bachcha grows to a maximum of about 61 cm.

Is the Garua bachcha dangerous to humans?

No, the Garua bachcha 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 Garua bachcha edible?

Yes, the Garua bachcha is commonly eaten.

More photos

Garua bachcha (Clupisoma garua) — Schilbeidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Sabarni Sarker, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Garua bachcha (Clupisoma garua) — Schilbeidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Henry Sullivan Thomas (Public domain)
Garua bachcha (Clupisoma garua) — Schilbeidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Biswarup Ganguly (CC BY 3.0)
Garua bachcha (Clupisoma garua) — Schilbeidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Biswas Sajib, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Garua bachcha sourced
Scientific name
Clupisoma garua
Family
Schilbeidae
Other names
Garua bachcha; Guarchcha; River catfish; Garua bacha verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.9 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
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
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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

Same genus Clupisoma

More from the family Schilbeidae

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