''Rita rita'' (Common names: rita (English), রিঠা (Bengali)) is a species of
bagrid catfish that is found across southern
Asia. It has been recorded in
Afghanistan,
Bangladesh,
India,
Myanmar
Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although only some British English speakers pronounce r at the end of syllables. As John C. Wells, Joh ...
,
Nepal and
Pakistan. It is one of the giants of its genus, growing a length of 150 cm. It is
commercially fished for human consumption.
''R. rita'' is a sluggish, bottom-dwelling catfish.
It inhabits rivers and estuaries, preferring muddy to clear water. It also prefers backwater of quiet eddies.
''R. rita'' is an omnivorous catfish; the bulk of its diet consists of
mollusks. In addition, it feeds on small fishes,
crustaceans,
insects, as well as on decaying organic matter.
References
*
Bagridae
Catfish of Asia
Fish of South Asia
Freshwater fish of India
Fish of Afghanistan
Fish of Bangladesh
Fish of Pakistan
Fish described in 1822
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