''Labeo bata'' ( bn, বাটা, translit=bātā) is a fish in genus

Labeo ''Labeo'' is a genus of carps in the family Cyprinidae. They are found in freshwater habitats in the tropics and subtropics of Africa and Asia. It contains the typical labeos in the subfamily Labeoninae, which may not be a valid group, however, ...

. It is commonly known as bata, and is a native fish to

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

and

Bangladesh Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million people in an area of . Bangladesh is among the mos ...

Description

It is a popular game fish and is popular for its taste. Its maximum length is . It eats protozoa, algae, and tiny fishes. It is a slow-moving fish, so with any active and aggressive it will be nervous. The age and growth of Labeo bata (Ham.) was studied by the analysis of annuli found on the scale and by length-frequency distribution. The fish attained lengths of 131, 194, 236, 277, 314, 341 and 364 mm at the end of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th years of life respectively. The increase in length of scale bears a constant relationship with the increase in length of fish. The growth rate of the fish was found high during the 1st and 2nd years, and decreased gradually afterwards till the 7th year. Both sexes showed more or less similar growth rate. The seasonal growth curve was chiefly influenced by feeding intensity in fishes of 1st year class, while in adults it was affected by feeding intensity as well as by maturation of the gonads. The body is elongate. Its dorsal profile is more convex than the ventral. The snout slightly projects beyond the mouth, often studded with pores. A pair of small maxillary barbells is hidden inside the labial fold. There is no cartilaginous support to the lips. The dorsal originates midway between the snout tip and the anterior base of anal. Pelvics originate slightly nearer to the snout tip than to the caudal base. It is bluish or darkish on upper half, silvery below, and the opercle is light orange. Its food comprises crustaceans and an insect larva in early stages. This fish is found throughout

(

West Bengal West Bengal (, Bengali: ''Poshchim Bongo'', , abbr. WB) is a state in the eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabitants within an area of . West Bengal is the fourt ...

, Odisha, Tripura etc.) and Bangladesh. Ponds, rivers, rivulets are its main habitats. A study in the

Khulna District Khulna District ( bn, খুলনা জেলা , ''Khulna Jela'' also ''Khulna Zila'') is a district of Bangladesh. It is located in the Khulna Division. It is bordered on the north by the Jessore District and the Narail District, on the south ...

in Bangladesh found the species endangered, while overall it is considered of least concern due to intense aquaculture.

References

External websites

* Labeo Fish of Bangladesh Fish described in 1822 {{Labeoninae-stub