Rohu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rohu |
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The rohu (also called rui or ruhi) is a type of carp fish. You can find it living in rivers across South Asia. This fish is a large omnivore, meaning it eats both plants and animals. People also raise rohu a lot in fish farms, a process called aquaculture.
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About the Rohu Fish
The rohu is a big fish with shiny silver scales. It has a typical carp shape, with a noticeable arched head. Adult rohu can grow up to 2 m (6.6 ft) long. They can also weigh as much as 45 kg (99 lb). Most rohu, however, are about 1⁄2 m (1.6 ft) long.
Where Rohu Live
Rohu fish live in rivers across many parts of Asia. You can find them in northern, central, and eastern India. They also live in Pakistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar. People have also brought rohu to rivers in other areas, like parts of India and Sri Lanka.
Rohu's Life and Diet
Rohu are omnivores, but what they eat changes as they grow. When they are very young, they mostly eat tiny water animals called zooplankton. As they get bigger, they start eating more tiny water plants called phytoplankton. Adult rohu mainly eat phytoplankton and plants that grow underwater. They have special thin, hair-like parts in their gills. These help them filter food from the water.
Rohu Reproduction
Rohu fish are ready to have babies when they are between two and five years old. They usually lay their eggs during the monsoon season. This is when rivers are flooded. They like to lay eggs in the middle of the flooded rivers, away from the ocean's tides. The best time for rohu to lay eggs is usually during the southwest monsoon. People can collect the eggs from rivers and raise the young fish in tanks or lakes.
Raising Rohu Fish
The rohu is a very important fish raised in aquaculture in South Asia. When rohu are raised in lakes, they don't usually have babies on their own. So, people have to help them reproduce. Rohu are also popular for sport fishing.
Rohu as Food
Rohu is a very popular food in many countries. People eat it a lot in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Pakistan. It's also very common in many Indian states. These include Tripura, Nagaland, Bihar, Odisha, Assam, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, and Uttar Pradesh.
An old recipe for fried rohu fish comes from a book written in the 12th century. This book, called Manasollasa, was put together by a ruler named Someshvara III. In this recipe, the fish is first cleaned and then soaked in a mix of asafoetida and salt. After that, it's dipped in water mixed with turmeric before being fried.
Rohu fish caught in the Mithila area are thought to taste better. People there call them Mithila Rohu Machh. The government in Bihar is trying to get a special tag for this fish. This tag would show that it comes from a specific place and has special qualities.
Rohu Nutrition
Rohu fish is very healthy for you. It has a lot of Omega 3 fatty acids, which are good fats. It also contains many important vitamins, like Vitamin A, Vitamin B, and Vitamin C. Rohu is also rich in Vitamin D. Vitamin D is found in only a few foods. Eating rohu can help prevent a bone disease called Osteoporosis, which happens when you don't have enough Vitamin D.
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