Rohu

Rohu or roho labeo is a species of fish of the carp family, found in rivers in South Asia. It is an omnivore. It reaches a maximum length of 2 m (6.6 ft) and a weight of about 110 kg (240 lb). It may reach even greater weights in the northern part of Nepal.

Biology

During the early stages of its lifecycle, it eats mainly zooplankton, but as it grows, it eats more and more phytoplankton, and as a juvenile or adult is a herbivorous column feeder, eating mainly phytoplankton and submerged vegetation. It has modified, thin hair-like gill rakers, suggesting that it feeds by sieving the water.

It is diurnal and generally solitary. It reaches sexual maturity between two and five years. In nature, it spawns in the marginal areas of flooded rivers.

Aquaculture

It is an important aquacultured freshwater species in South Asia. When cultured, it does not breed in lake ecosystems, so induced spawning becomes necessary.

Preparation as food

Rohu is very commonly eaten in Bangladesh ; Pakistan and the Indian states of Bihar, Odisha, Assam, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. The Maithali Brahmins of Nepal and the Kayastha community of Nepal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh treats it as one of their most sacred foods, to be eaten on all auspicious occasions. Rohu is the most commonly used fish in Pakistan and is usually eaten fried, or in a sauce with spices.