Scientific Name: Ailia coila (Hamilton, 1822)
Synonym: Malapterurus coila (Currently unaccepted)
English Name: Gangetic ailia
Local/Bangla Name: Bashpata (বাঁশপাতা), Kajuli (কাজুলি)
Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Teleostei
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Schilbeidae
Description:
Fin formula: D. 0; P1. 1/14; P2. 6; A. 67-75. Body shape is elongated and deeply compressed. Mouth is sub-inferior. Upper jaw longer than lower jaw. Barbels are well developed and 4 pairs. Dorsal fin is absent and a small adipose fin is present. Pectoral fins are well developed and pelvic fins are small. Pectoral spine is slender and serrated. Anal fin large. Caudal fin is forked (lower lobe longer than upper). Body silvery or whitish in color.
Habitat & Distribution in Bangladesh:
Inhabits surface to mid-waters. Occurs in shoals in rivers and connected waters.
Environment:
Freshwater (Brackish; pelagic)
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.
Giri SS ed, 2017 Monographs on Threatened Freshwater Fishes of South Asia. SAARC Agriculture Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 305 p.
