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Rita gogra (Sykes, 1839)

Image contributors to this species:

Martin Oates (3) Beta Mahatvaraj (2) Andrew Rao (2)

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Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: Rayed dorsal fin inserted above half of pectoral fin, spine smooth, shorter than head length and not reaching adipose fin origin when depressed. Adipose dorsal fin short, seperated from the caudal base. Pectoral fin not reaching pelvic fin, spine with 18 to 24 antorse teeth along inner margin and 15 to 20 retorse teeth along outer one. Pelvic fin not reaching anal fin. Anal fin when laid flat reaching caudal base. Caudal fin forked, lobes equal. Least depth of caudal peduncle 1.0 to 1.5 in its length. Lateral line complete, straight. Differs from other congeners in its large head with mucous secretion and dentition. A common species during winter months, kept alive by its own copious mucous secretion. Fishermen keep them in earthern pots. The dermal papillae and moisture keep them alive for several hours. The thick skin on the dorsal surface of head between eyes and occipital process is covered with a heavy layer of muscle which secrets the mucous. Habitat: Rita species are found in large rivers throughout the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar. Colouration: Uniformly ash-gray. Live specimens slightly golden coloured, bright yellow and body with fin tips tinged black. Eyes bright violet and barbles black. Etymology: The specific name gogra: gograh, Marathi vernacular for this species in India, which, as Sykes explained in 1841, he adopted “so that naturalists who travel the country can always obtain” the species. Remarks: Some online searches still have this species as in the Bagridae family.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

Phractocephalus gogra, Arius pavimentatus, Rita pavimentatus, Rita pavimentata, Gogrius sykesii

Family:

Ritidae

Distribution:

Asia: Rivers of Deccan up to the Krishna river system in India.

Size:

30.0cm (12ins)

Temp:

22-26°C (71-79°F)

p.H.

6.5-7.0.

IUCN Red List

Rita gogra is assessed as Least Concern solely based on the fact that the species is expected to be widely distributed in central India. Furthermore, there is no documentation on specific global threat to the species. Nevertheless, it is essential to note that in some areas the population of this species has declined drastically and it could be attributed to habitat alterations caused by urbanisation and increasing organic and inorganic pollution of the rivers and heavy harvesting. If such trends are also recorded from other areas, the species may qualify for some threatened category, but needs updating, (IUCN 2011).

Reference:

Dahanukar, N. 2011. Rita gogra. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011.
Jayaram; K.C. Catfishes of India, Narendera Publishing House. p.13-14.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

Family: Ritidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Rita gogra

Rita gogra

Rita gogra
Juvenile

Rita gogra
Dorsal view

Rita gogra

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