Catla is a freshwater fish living on the surface of water bodies like rivers, ponds, beels, haors, baors, etc.
It is found in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Myanmar regions. They have invaded the rivers of India’s oceanic islands in Sri Lanka and China.
Catla has a distinctive appearance with a large and broad head. It’s eyes are big. The lower lip of catla fish is very thick, and the upper lip is absent. Catla fish weighing 1-2 kg is usually sold in the market. But Catla fish can grow up to 40 kg. Its body length can reach about 1-1.5 meters. This fish thrives in water temperatures of 25-32 degrees Celsius. Catla fish can be bred naturally in flowing water. Catla fish breed especially in rivers and flowing water like Halda during the monsoon in floodplains. Catla fish usually reach maturity at 2-2.5 years of age. They can breed in stagnant water like ponds by artificially.