Rita rita

Rita rita (Common names: Rita (English), রিঠা (Bengali)) is a species of bagrid catfish that is found across southern Asia. It has been recorded in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan. It is one of the giants of its genus, growing a length of 150 cm. It is commercially fished for human consumption.

Rita rita
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Bagridae
Genus: Rita
Species:
R. rita
Binomial name
Rita rita
(F. Hamilton, 1822)
Synonyms
  • Pimelodus rita Hamilton, 1822
  • Arius ritoides Valenciennes, 1840
  • Rita ritoides (Valenciennes, 1840)
  • Rita buchanani Bleeker, 1853
  • Arius cruciger Owen, 1853
  • Rita crucigera (Owen, 1853)

R. rita is a sluggish, bottom-dwelling catfish.[1] It inhabits rivers and estuaries, preferring muddy to clear water. It also prefers backwater of quiet eddies.

R. rita is an omnivorous catfish; the bulk of its diet consists of mollusks. In addition, it feeds on small fishes, crustaceans, insects, as well as on decaying organic matter.[1]

References

  1. Yashpal, Madhu; Kumari, Usha; Mittal, Swati; Mittal, Ajay Kumar (June 2006). "Surface architecture of the mouth cavity of a carnivorous fish Rita rita (Hamilton, 1822) (Siluriformes, Bagridae)" (PDF). Belg. J. Zool. 136 (2): 155–162.


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