Rohu Fish Farming Information Guide

Rohu Fish Farming Guide:

Introduction of Rohu Fish Farming:- Rohu (Roho Labeo or Labeo rohita) is one of the freshwater fishes of the carp family which is very popular fish in India and other parts of the world especially south-east Asia. This fish also called as ”Rui” or “Ruee” or Tapra. Rohu fish belongs to the family of “Cyprinidae” and genus of “Labeo”. Among all carp fishes, Rohu fish is popular due to its taste and market demand. Farmers can expect good profits in Rohu farming with good farm management practices. In South India, This fish is mainly served as fried fish in any kind of parties. People often confuse between Rohu and Catla fish, because they look similar in shape and size.

Local Names of Rohu Fish in India:-  Rohu, Rue, Roho Labeo, Carpo Fish (English), Rehu, Tambada Massa (Hindi), Kannadi Kendai (Tamil), Rohu / Rovva / Bocha Gnadu Meen (Telugu), Rohu, Rohitham (Malayalam), Rui(Bengali), Rohu (Kannada),Rohu(Marathi).

Rohu Fish Breed Characteristics:- The following are the physical characteristics of the Rohu Fish.

• Rohu fish has a thick body with a narrow head and tail compared to Catla fish and head weight is less in Rohu when compared with catla fish.
• Rohu fish body is covered with full of scales except for fins and head. Apart from this, the head is triangulated.
• Rohu body surface and under surface is in brown color.
• Rohu fish belly is in silver color and there is a total of 7 fins in the body of Rohu fish.
• The max length that Rohu fish can attain is 1 meter.
• The body is slightly curved to the upper side and it has 2 pairs of the nostril.
• Generally, the scales of Rohu fish are in reddish color except for the belly part.

Read: Rohu Fish Farming Project Report.

Breeding in Rohu Fish Farming:-  Usually, Rohu fish gain maturity at the age of three years and a female Rohu fish contains about 3 lakhs eggs. The best season for egg laying is from April to July. Rohu fish lays eggs in open waters and don’t lay eggs in stagnant water.

Seed Collection in Rohu Fish Farming:-  The commercial Rohu fish breed culture is common and induced breeding is playing a major role for entire seed requirement in all the countries. However, Rohu seed source is available from freshwater rivers, lakes, reservoirs, canals and other open water bodies. The best source for main quality seed collection is the local hatcheries.

Rearing Fingerlings in Rohu Fish Farming:-  Rohu fry should be reared along with mrigala and catla at equal proportions with combined densities of 0.2 to 0.3 million fry per 1-hectare pond. Generally, the nursery raised fry of 25 mm length Rohu should be reared further for the length of 100 mm and weight of 10 grams to 15 grams fingerlings to raise in the main pond.

Pond Construction in Rohu Fish Farming:-  Pond construction plays a major role in commercial freshwater fish culture farming. Heavy stocking with Rohu fish is not recommended and this always depends on the fish fingerlings size and pond area. Rohu fish grows well at water temperatures between 25°C to 36°C.

Seed Stocking and Fertilizers in Rohu Fish Farming:- Organic, inorganic fertilizers, and supplementary feeding should be provided in the pond along with the mixture of oil cake, rice bran, wheat flakes. The application dosage depends on the farming intensity and inherent productivity. Generally, the survival rate of Rohu fingerlings ranges from 60 to 80 %. Contact nearest aquaculture or fisheries department for exact pond manures and fertilizers needed for high yield and quick growth.

Feeding in Rohu Fish Farming:-  Rohu fish takes the feed from the middle level of water and the main feed of Rohu fish is plant and putrescent organic substances. As part of commercial farming, rice dust, cake, cracked wheat, and fish mean can be served as supplementary feed in the pond to gain good weight in a short period of time.

Harvesting in Rohu Fish Farming:- Rohu fish can be collected from the pond by using the fishing nets when they attain at least 500 grams. Generally Rohu fish has good market demand when they gain about 1 kg to 2 kg each. Harvesting can be done based on the fish size and local market demand.

Market Demand for Rohu Fish:-  In India, there is a huge demand for Rohu fish. Most of the restaurants/hotels serve this fish. Especially, in south India, people make fish fry or fish curry with Rohu fish.  The regular market price for Rohu fish is about 120 to 160 rupees per kg. Depending on the size, farmers can market Rohu fish local markets, function halls, and hotels.

For murrel fish farming: Read here.

For prawn farming: Read here.

For katla fish farming: Read here.

For sheep and goat farming information: Read here.