Scientific Name: Eutropiichthys vacha (Hamilton, 1822)
English Name: Batchwa vacha
Local/Bangla Name: Bacha (বাচা)
Photo: Balaram Malader
Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Teleostei
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Schilbeidae
Description:
Fin formula: D1. 8(1/7); D2. 0; A. 44-56 (3-4/41-52); P. 14-17 (1/13-16); V. 6; C. 17. Body is elongated and laterally compressed. Dorsal and ventral profile almost equally convex. Upper jaw slightly longer than lower. 4 pairs of barbels. Silvery colored body with grayish back. Dorsal spine serrated posteriorlly and pectoral serrated internally. Adipose fin always present and caudal deeply forked. Pectoral and anal fins with reddish margin. Lateral line present and complete.
Habitat & Distribution in Bangladesh:
Inhabits rivers throughout Bangladesh. Also abundant in the Karnafuli reservoir in Chittagong hill tracts.
Environment:
Freshwater, Brackish (Pelagic; potamodromous)
References:
Rahman AKA (2005) Freshwater Fishes of Bangladesh. 2nd ed. Zool. Soc. Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. xviii + 394 pp.
Siddiqui KU, Islam MA, Kabir SMH, Ahmad M, Ahmed ATA, Rahman AKA, Haque EU, Ahmed ZU, Begum ZNT, Hasan MA, Khondker M and Rahman MM (eds.) (2007) Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh. Vol. 23. Freshwater Fishes. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka. 300+xxxi. pp.
DoF Bangladesh (2023) Album: Freshwater Fishes of Bangladesh, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh, Dhaka. 200 pp.
