This field guide is developed as a practical guide for the identification of freshwater fishes, specifically tailored for use in field conditions. It emphasizes key morphological features, habitat characteristics, and other distinguishing traits that are critical for species recognition. Intended for students, researchers, aquatic ecologists, and field professionals, the guide provides accessible tools and techniques that allow for reliable and efficient identification of freshwater fish across various inland ecosystems-rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. The manual is structured to support both quick field reference and more detailed study, offering clear diagnostic features, illustrations, and comparative insights to help differentiate among visually similar species. Special attention is given to species of ecological or conservation concern, with references to relevant national and international conservation status where applicable. By enhancing awareness and accuracy in fish identification, this field guide aims to contribute to the sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems and the conservation of aquatic biodiversity. It is our hope that this f ield guide will serve as a useful and trusted companion in both educational and professional fieldwork.
Dr. Nanjala Veerabhadra Rao is an Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fishery Science, Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University, Narasapuram. He is specialized in Fisheries Resource Management with focus on taxonomy, biodiversity, biology, and conservation of freshwater fisheries. He has published over 15 research papers, along with popular articles and book chapters in reputed national and international journals.
Dr. T. Suguna is currently serving as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University, Vijayawada. She is specialized in Fisheries Resource Management, with a focus on finfish breeding, biodiversity, biology and conservation. She has hands-on experience in field identification of fishes and has published several articles in peer-reviewed, Scopus-indexed national and international journals.
Dr. T. Neeraja is currently serving as an Associate Dean at the College of Fishery Science, Narasapuram, under Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University, India. Her research focuses on disease management in finfish and shellfish, with the goal of promoting healthier aquaculture systems. She has published several scholarly articles in peer-reviewed, Scopus-indexed national and international journals.
Dr. K. Sravani is working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Fish Processing Technology at the College of Fishery Science, Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University, Narasapuram. Her research focuses on the nutritional and industrial applications of seaweeds, including the extraction of bioactive compounds, development of seaweed-based food products, and eco-friendly packaging materials. Her research work includes numerous publications in peer-reviewed, Scopus-indexed journals recognized nationally and internationally.
Dr. M. Kishore Kumar is currently serving as a Guest Faculty at the College of Fishery Science, Narasapuram, Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University, India. He is specialized in Fisheries Resource Management, with a focus on taxonomy, biodiversity, biology, conservation, and management of finfishes. He has practical experience in field identification of fishes and has published five articles in peer-reviewed, Scopus-indexed national and international journals.
Ms. Hariyala Sirisha is currently serving as a Guest Faculty at the College of Fishery Science, Narasapuram, under Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University, India. She is specialized in Fisheries Extension, with expertise in extension education methodologies, communication strategies, livelihood improvement, and the use of ICT tools for fisheries development. She has published review and popular articles in peer reviewed journals.
Mr. K. Nikhil is currently serving as a Guest Faculty at the College of Fishery Science, Narasapuram, under Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University, India. He is specialized in Fisheries Resource Management, with a particular focus on the life cycle aspects of fisheries management. He has published research articles, review articles, popular articles, and book chapters in various journals related to fisheries management.
1 Notopterus notopterus (Pallas, 1769) ......................................................1
2 Chitala chitala (Hamilton, 1822) ............................................................3
3 Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822) ..........................................................5
4 Opisthopterus tardoore (Cuvier, 1829) ...................................................7
5 Catla catla (Hamilton, 1822) ..................................................................9
6 Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822) .....................................................11
7 Cirrhinus reba (Day, 1878) ...................................................................13
8 Ctenopharyngodon idellus (Valencienues, 1844) .................................15
9 Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) ........................................................17
10 Cyprinus carpio communis (Linnaeus, 1758) .......................................19
11 Garra gotyla (Gray, 1830) ....................................................................21
12 Garra annandalei (Hora, 1921) ............................................................23
13 Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valencienns, 1844) ...............................25
14 Labeo ariza (Hamilton, 1807) ...............................................................27
15 Labeo bata (Day, 1878) .........................................................................29
16 Labeo boggut (Sykes, 1839) .................................................................31
17 Labeo calbasu (Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822) .........................................33
18 Labeo fimbriatus (Fringed-Lipped Peninsula Carp) .............................35
19 Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) .............................................................37
20 Osteobrama cotio (Hamilton, 1822) .....................................................39
21 Osteobrama belangeri (Valenciennes, 1844) ........................................41
22 Osteobrama vigorsii (Sykes, 1839) .......................................................43
23 Puntius chola (Hamilton, 1822) ............................................................45
24 Puntius ticto (Hamilton, 1822) ..............................................................47
25 Puntius sarana (Hamilton, 1822) ..........................................................49
26 Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822) ........................................................51
27 Puntius terio (Hamilton, 1822) .............................................................53
28 Rohtee ogilbii (Sykes, 1841) .................................................................55
29 Barilius barila (Hamilton, 1822) ..........................................................57
30 Danio devario (Hamilton, 1822) ..........................................................59
31 Amblypharyngodon microlepis (Bleeker, 1853) ....................................61
32 Amblypharyngodon mola (Hamilton, 1822) .........................................63
33 Esomus danricus ...................................................................................65
34 Rasbora daniconius (Hamilton, 1822) .................................................67
35 Salmostoma bacaila (Hamilton, 1822) .................................................69
36 Salmostoma phullo (Hamilton, 1822) ...................................................71
37 Nemacheilus corica (Hamilton, 1822) .................................................73
38 Aplocheilus panchax (Hamilton, 1822) .................................................75
39 Megalops cyprinoides ...........................................................................77
40 Chanos chanos (Forsskal, 1775 ) .........................................................79
41 Mystus bleekeri (Day, 1877)..................................................................81
42 Mystus cavasius (Hamilton, 1822) ........................................................83
43 Mystus tengara (Hamilton, 1822) ........................................................85
44 Mystus vittatus (Bloch, 1794) ...............................................................87
45 Spherata aor (Hamilton, 1822) .............................................................89
46 Spherata seenghala (Sykes, 1839) ........................................................91
47 Rita kuturnee (Sykes, 1839) ..................................................................93
48 Rita rita (Hamilton, 1822) .....................................................................95
49 Clarias batrachus (Linneaeus, 1758) ....................................................97
50 Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) .....................................................99
51 Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794) .................................................101
52 Pangasius pangasius (Hamilton, 1822) ..............................................103
53 Eutropiichthys vacha (Hamilton, 1822) ..............................................105
54 Proeutropiichthys taakree (Sykes, 1839) ............................................107
55 Silonia silondia (Hamilton, 1822) .......................................................109
56 Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch, 1794) .....................................................111
57 Ompok pabda (Hamilton, 1822) .........................................................113
58 Wallago attu (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) ............................................115
59 Bagarius bagarius (Hamilton, 1822) ..................................................117
60 Anguilla bengalensis (Gray, 1831) ......................................................119
61 Anguilla bicolor (Gray, 1831) ............................................................121
62 Xenentodon cancila (Hamilton, 1822) ................................................123
63 Hyporhamphus limbatus (Valenciennes, 1847) ...................................125
64 Channa marulius (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) ..................................127
65 Channa orientalis (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) .................................129
66 Channa punctata (Bloch, 1793) ..........................................................131
67 Channa striatus (Bloch, 1794) ............................................................133
68 Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepede, 1800) .........................................135
69 Mastacembelus pancalus (Hamilton, 1822) ........................................137
70 Psammogobius biocellatus (Valenciennes, 1837) ...............................139
71 Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton, 1822) ................................................141
72 Awaous grammepomus ........................................................................143
73 Eleotris fusca (Forster, 1801) ..............................................................145
74 Lates calcarifer (Bloch, 1790) ............................................................147
75 Trichogaster fasciatus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) ..........................149
76 Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1795) Ratigorasa ....................................151
77 Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852) .........................................153
78 Pseudetroplus maculatus (Bloch, 1795) .............................................155
79 Etroplus suratensis (Bloch, 1790) .......................................................157
80 Nandus nandas (Hamilton, 1822) ......................................................159
81 Chanda nama (Hamilton, 1822) .........................................................161
82 Parambassis ranga (Hamilton, 1822) .................................................163
83 Johnius coitor (Hamilton, 1822) .........................................................165
84 Upeneus vittatus (Forsskl, 1775) .........................................................167
85 Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) ........................................................169
86 Planiliza macrolepis (Smith, 1846).....................................................171
87 Liza parsia (Hamliton, 1822) ..............................................................173
88 Rhinomugil corsula (Hamilton, 1822) ...............................................175
