Rita
rita (Hamilton, 1822) |
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| Image
contributors to this species: |
| Johnny
Jensen's Photographic Library
(3) |
| ScotCat
Sources: |
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| Other
Sources: |
 
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| Relevant
Information: |
Inhabits rivers and
estuaries, preferably muddy to clear water. Prefers backwater
of quiet eddies. Feeds on insects, mollusks, shrimps and fishes.
Description: Three pairs of barbels: maxillary pair
reaching operculum, nasal very small, mandibular extending to
pre-operculum. Rayed dorsal fin inserted above half of pectoral
fin, spine smooth as long or as or longer than head, when depressed
may reach adipose base. Adipose fin short, not reaching caudal
base. Colour: Pale brown above and on sides,
dull beneath. Live specimens are lucid green above on sides,
pale beneath. |
| Common
Name: |
Rita,
Whale Catfish |
| Synonyms: |
Pimelodus rita,
Arius ritoides, Rita buchanani |
| Family: |
Bagridaemblycipitidae |
| Distribution: |
Asia:
Rivers of northern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Type
locality: estuaries of Bengal. No types known. |
| Size:
|
120cm
SL (48ins) |
| Temp: |
18-26°C
(63-79°F) |
| p.H. |
6.5-8.0. |
| Reference: |
Jayaram; K.C.
Catfishes of India, Narendera Publishing House. p.13-14
Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes,
recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue
of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628. |
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