Green chromide

Last updated

Green chromide
Etroplus suratensis.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cichliformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Etroplus
Species:
E. suratensis
Binomial name
Etroplus suratensis
(Bloch, 1790)

The green chromide (Etroplus suratensis) is a species of cichlid fish that is native to fresh and brackish water habitats in some parts in India such as Kerala, Goa, Chilika Lake in Odisha and Sri Lanka. The species was first described by Marcus Elieser Bloch in 1790. [2] This species and other members of the genus Etroplus are relatively closely related to the Paretroplus cichlids from Madagascar. [3]

Contents

Other common names include pearlspot cichlid, [1] banded pearlspot, and striped chromide. [4] In Kerala, it is known locally as karimeen. In Tamil Nadu, it is known locally as the pappan or pappa [5] In Goa, the fish is known as kalundar. [6] In Odisha, the local name is kundal. [7] In Sri Lanka this fish is known as Mal koraliya.

It has been introduced in various parts of the world outside its native range, [1] including Singapore, where it occurs in estuaries. [8] The Government of Kerala declared pearlspot as the official fish of Kerala.

Habitat and behavior

The green chromide lives in brackish water habitat types, such as river deltas. It eats mainly aquatic plants, including filamentous algae and diatoms, but it consumes the occasional mollusk and other animal matter. This species engages in attentive parental care in which several adults care for each brood. [1]

Appearance

The adult is oval in shape with a short snout. It is grey green with dark barring and a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin. [1] It commonly reaches 20 cm (8 in) in length, and the maximum length is twice that. [2]

Relationship with humans

Etroplus suratensis is a popular food fish and it is considered a delicacy. [9]

Etroplus suratensis and E. maculatus form the main species and the former is dominant among pearl spots in reservoirs of India. They mainly feed on detritus and occupy the same niche as that of Oreochromis mossambicus . These fishes are a popular delicacy but their biomass is very low in reservoirs compared to other cichlids. [10]

In 2010 this species was named the official state fish of Kerala. The following year was declared "The Year of the Karimeen". Karimeen pollichathu, a fried dish, is a delicacy served in restaurants. Due to low number of production and high demand, the species have often been expensive to the public. [11] Production of the species for food is expected to increase in the near future. [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cichlid</span> Family of fishes

Cichlids are fish from the family Cichlidae in the order Cichliformes. Traditionally Cichlids were classed in a suborder, the Labroidei, along with the wrasses (Labridae), in the order Perciformes, but molecular studies have contradicted this grouping. On the basis of fossil evidence, it first appeared in Tanzania during the Eocene epoch, about 46–45 million years ago. The closest living relative of cichlids is probably the convict blenny, and both families are classified in the 5th edition of Fishes of the World as the two families in the Cichliformes, part of the subseries Ovalentaria. This family is large, diverse, and widely dispersed. At least 1,650 species have been scientifically described, making it one of the largest vertebrate families. New species are discovered annually, and many species remain undescribed. The actual number of species is therefore unknown, with estimates varying between 2,000 and 3,000.

Indian cuisine consists of a variety of regional and traditional cuisines native to the Indian subcontinent. Given the diversity in soil, climate, culture, ethnic groups, and occupations, these cuisines vary substantially and use locally available spices, herbs, vegetables, and fruits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roe</span> Egg masses of fish and seafood

Roe or hard roe is the fully ripe internal egg masses in the ovaries, or the released external egg masses, of fish and certain marine animals such as shrimp, scallop, sea urchins and squid. As a seafood, roe is used both as a cooked ingredient in many dishes, and as a raw ingredient for delicacies such as caviar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bombay duck</span> Species of fish

Harpadon nehereus, is a species of lizardfish. Adults may reach a maximum length of 40 cm (16 in), but the usual size is around 25 cm (10 in).

Indo-Pacific king mackerel, also known as the spotted seer fish or spotted Spanish mackerel, is a sea fish among the mackerel variety of fishes. It is found in around the Indian Ocean and adjoining seas. It is a popular game fish, growing up to 45 kg (99 lb), and is a strong fighter that has on occasion been seen to leap out of the water when hooked.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thamirabarani River</span> River in Tamil Nadu, India

The Thamirabarani or Tamraparni or Porunai is a perennial river that originates from the Agastyarkoodam peak of Pothigai hills of the Western Ghats, above Papanasam in the Ambasamudram taluk. It flows through Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts of the Tamil Nadu state of southern India into the Gulf of Mannar. It was called the Tamraparni River in the pre-classical period, a name it lent to the island of Sri Lanka. The old Tamil name of the river is Porunai. From the source to sea, the river is about 128 kilometres (80 mi) long and is the only perennial river in Tamil Nadu. This river flows towards north direction initially. However, it changes to east direction later.

<i>Channa striata</i> Species of fish

Channa striata, the striped snakehead, is a species of snakehead fish. It is also known as the common snakehead, chevron snakehead, or snakehead murrel and generally referred simply as mudfish. It is native to South and Southeast Asia, and has been introduced to some Pacific Islands. Reports from Madagascar and Hawaii are misidentifications of C. maculata.

<i>Xenentodon cancila</i> Species of fish

Xenentodon cancila, the freshwater garfish, is a species of needlefish found in freshwater and brackish habitats in South and Southeast Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary</span>

Mangalavanam is an ecologically sensitive area situated at the centre of the Indian city of Kochi, covering about 2.74 hectares. It also houses a shallow tidal lake connected with Kochi backwaters by a canal. It is situated behind the Kerala High Court building. It is a nesting ground for a large variety of migratory birds and supports many types of mangroves. The Managalavanam is often regarded as the "green lung of Kochi", considering its role in keeping the city's air pollution under check. The area is a roosting place for many kinds of resident and migratory birds.

<i>Etroplus</i> Genus of fishes

Etroplus is a small genus of cichlids native to southern India and Sri Lanka. Together with Pseudetroplus, they are the only cichlids of this region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakhala</span> Dish in Odia cuisine of India

Pakhaḷa is an Odia cuisine, consisting of cooked rice washed or lightly fermented in water. The liquid part of the dish is known as Toraṇi. It is popular in the state of Odisha and its similar in the eastern regions like Jharkhand the northeastern states of Assam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sasthamcotta Lake</span> Lake in Kerala, India

Sasthamcotta Lake or Sasthamkotta Lake, also categorized as a wetland, is the largest fresh water lake in Kerala, a state of India on the south of the West Coast. The lake is named after the ancient Sastha temple located on its bank. It meets the drinking water needs of half million people of the Quilon district and also provides fishing resources. The purity of the lake water for drinking use is attributed to the presence of large population of larva called cavaborus that consumes bacteria in the lake water. The lake is a designated wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention since November 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orange chromide</span> A species of cichlid, indigenous to Southern India and Sri Lanka, with orange coloration.

The orange chromide is a species of cichlid fish that is endemic to freshwater and brackish streams, lagoons and estuaries in southern India and Sri Lanka. It is also known as pallathi in Malayalam. The species is popular with fishkeeping hobbyists, and is kept frequently in aquariums. The species is part of the family Cichlidae and is included in subfamily Etroplinae. The orange chromide reaches a length of up to 8 cm (3.1 in).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fishing in India</span> Major industry employing 14.5 million people

Fishing in India is a major sector within the economy of India contributing 1.07% of its total GDP. The fishing sector in India supports the livelihood of over 28 million people in the country, especially within the marginalized and vulnerable communities. India is the third largest fish producing country in the world accounting for 7.96% of the global production and second largest producer of fish through aquaculture, after China. The total fish production during the FY 2020-21 is estimated at 14.73 million metric tonnes. According to the National Fisheries Development Board the Fisheries Industry generates an export earnings of Rs 334.41 billion. Centrally sponsored schemes will increase exports by Rs 1 lakh crore in FY25. 65,000 fishermen have been trained under these schemes from 2017 to 2020. Freshwater fishing consists of 55% of total fish production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M. J. S. Wijeyaratne</span>

M. J. S. Wijeyaratne is a Sri Lankan academic. He was the Vice-Chancellor of University of Kelaniya and Professor of Zoology.

<i>Cirrhinus molitorella</i> Species of fish

Cirrhinus molitorella is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Cirrhinus found mainly in southern China and Vietnam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canara pearlspot</span> Species of fish

The Canara pearlspot, also known as banded chromide or Canara pearlspot cichlid, is an endangered species of cichlid endemic to South Karnataka in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kayamkulam Kayal</span> Back water in allepey

Kayamkulam Kayal, Kayamkulam Lake or Kayamkulam Estuary is a shallow brackish water lagoon stretching between Panmana and Karthikapally. It has an outlet to the Arabian sea at Kayamkulam barrage. The Kayal used to be connected to the sea most of the time except during dry season when a bar like formation separates it from the sea. Now the bar has been opened up permanently for construction of Kayamkulam Fishing Harbor. Kayamkulam boat race is conducted in Kayamkulam Kayal.

Malala-Ambilikala Lagoons are two interconnected coastal water-bodies located inside the Bundala National Park, Hambantota District in the Southern Province, Sri Lanka. It is 260 km (160 mi) from Colombo to the arid south. The Malala-Ambilikala Lagoons are two of the three key lagoons located within the Bundala Ramsar wetlands.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Abraham, R. (2011). "Etroplus suratensis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2011: e.T172368A6877592. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T172368A6877592.en .
  2. 1 2 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2011). "Etroplus suratensis" in FishBase . July 2011 version.
  3. Sparks, John S. (2004). "Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the Malagasy and South Asian cichlids (Teleostei: Perciformes: Cichlidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 30 (3): 599–614. doi:10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00225-2. PMID   15012941.
  4. Common names of Etroplus suratensis. FishBase. 2015.
  5. 1 2 Basheer, K.P.M. (9 July 2010). "Karimeen leaps from frying pan to State fish". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  6. "Good Goan Food: Local (Konkani) names for Common Fish in Goa". 2011-11-25.
  7. Jones, S.; Sujansingani, K. H. (1954). "Fish and Fisheries of the Chilka Lake with Statistics of Fish Catches for the Years 1948-1950" (PDF). Indian Journal of Fisheries: 342. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  8. Green Chromide. Guide to Common Marine Fishes of Singapore.
  9. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Archived 2021-04-24 at the Wayback Machine April 2011.
  10. Feroz Khan, M.; Panikkar, Preetha (2009). "Assessment of impacts of invasive fishes on the food web structure and ecosystem properties of a tropical reservoir in India". Ecological Modelling. 220 (18): 2281–2290. doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2009.05.020.
  11. "Something fishy? Despite huge demand, karimeen farming in Kerala in the doldrums". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2022-03-09.