Scientific Name- Ompak pabda (Hamilton, 1822)
Common Name- Pabdah Cat Fish
Local Name- Jalkapoor, Pava
Classification
| Class | Osteichthyes |
| Sub-Class | actinopterygii |
| Order | Siluriformes |
| Family | Siluridae |
| Genus | Ompak |
| Species | Pabda |
| Class | Osteichthyes |
Habits and habitat
It is found in plane and sub mountain region. Inhabits in flood plain area, reservoirs, chaurs, beels etc. Mostly found in Gandak and Ganga river and canals, Kararia, Sirsa, Motijheel beels (East Champaran), Manika, Motipur, Jhapha beels (Muzaffarpur) .
Salient features
Body is elongated and compressed on both sides and head depressed. It has silvery grey with olive-yellow body dark on the back side of the body, fading to dull grey on the belly. Two dark lateral bands are on the body just above the lateral line. A light black spot is on the lateral line near shoulder. It has two pairs of barbels, one maxillary barbel extended up to the middle.
This species has the peculiarity of having certain body characteristics and adaptation. Dorsal fin is reduced, usually one adipose fin is absent, pectoral fin converts into spine. Anal fin is long, attached with caudal fin.
Ompak pabda fish grows up to length of 30cm. It feeds on aquatic insects, crustaceans, eathworm, molluscs, small fish, larvae, tadpols and plant matters and breeds in monsoon season (May-July). It is a fast mover. This is found in clear and flowing water with a sandy bottom and also found in still water.
source-
- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore
