Skip to content

Catla (Catla catla) Indian major carp Photo: Asif Saleh · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source ↗

Catla (Catla catla) Indian major carp

Catla (Catla catla, now placed in genus Labeo by some authorities, but trade name retained) is the fastest-growing surface-feeder among the three Indian Major Carps (IMC) and one of the most important freshwater aquaculture species in India. It is the bulk surface plankton-feeder in composite carp ponds across the Indo-Gangetic plain, peninsular India and the north-east.

Key characteristics

  • Family: Cyprinidae
  • Body: deep-bodied, broad head, prominently large upturned mouth — adapted to surface feeding
  • Feeding niche: surface and column zooplankton-feeder, filtering with long gill rakers
  • Growth rate: fastest growing of the three IMCs; reaches 1-1.5 kg in 10-12 months in well-managed ponds
  • Maximum size: up to 1 m and 45 kg in natural waters
  • Natural distribution: Indo-Gangetic, Mahanadi, Godavari and Krishna river systems; introduced widely across India

Cultivation

In recommended composite culture, catla is stocked at 30-35% of the total seed in three-species (catla-rohu-mrigal) ponds and at about 10-20% in six-species systems (Composite Fish Culture Six Species). Stocking density is 5,000-10,000 fingerlings/ha. Catla cannot breed in confined ponds without hormone-induced spawning; seed is therefore produced in hatcheries via carp pituitary or synthetic hormone (Ovaprim, Ovatide) induced breeding. ICAR-CIFA Bhubaneswar is the lead institute for carp breeding technology. Pond preparation follows standard earthen-pond methods (Fish Pond Construction) with liming at 250-500 kg/ha and organic manuring at 5,000-10,000 kg/ha cow dung. Supplementary feed of rice bran and groundnut/mustard oil cake (1:1) is given at 2-3% body weight.

Pests and diseases

Catla is susceptible to argulosis (Carp Disease Argulus Anchor Worm), bacterial dropsy and tail rot (Carp Disease Dropsy Aeromonas), epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) and gill rot. White spot disease (Ichthyophthirius) affects fingerlings. Health management relies on pond hygiene, regular water exchange, lime application and quarantine of incoming seed.

Yield and adoption

Catla contributes the largest share of biomass yield in three-species IMC polyculture, with overall pond yields of 3-5 t/ha/year. Together with rohu and mrigal it accounts for the bulk of India's freshwater aquaculture production of about 9 million tonnes (NFDB). Catla is the preferred large table fish across eastern, central and south Indian markets. Pond development and seed production are supported under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

See also: Rohu Labeo Rohita Imc, Mrigal Cirrhinus Mrigala Imc, Composite Fish Culture Six Species, Carp Polyculture Pond, Fish Pond Construction.

Sources

  1. Catla catla. FAO Cultured Aquatic Species fact sheet.
  2. Freshwater Aquaculture: Indian Major Carps. ICAR-CIFA Bhubaneswar.
  3. Composite Fish Culture. Vikaspedia.