Catla
Labeo catla
Also known asBhakur
Water parameters
Minimum tank: 3000 L per individual at harvest size.
Feed and growth
- Feed protein
- 28% target
- Daily feed (warm)
- 2.00% of body weight
- Daily feed (cool)
- 0.60% of body weight
- Max density
- 40 g per litre
A 25000 g adult eats about 500.0 g of feed per day at optimum. 10 fish at adult size: ~5000 g daily.
Legality
Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States (federal) | check local regulations | verified 2026-05-13 |
| New South Wales | prohibited | verified 2026-05-13 |
Unlisted jurisdictions default to "check local regulations".
Origin and habitat
Native to rivers and floodplain lakes across the Indian subcontinent: India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Myanmar. The species (Catla catla, recently reclassified as Labeo catla by some taxonomists) is one of the three major Indian carps (along with rohu and mrigal) that form the basis of carp polyculture across South Asia. Catla is a surface and column filter-feeder that consumes zooplankton and phytoplankton using modified gill rakers. Adults grow large: 1–2 m and up to 40 kg in the wild, though culture harvest size is typically 1–3 kg at 12-18 months. India produces over 3 million tonnes of major Indian carps annually, with catla comprising a significant portion. The flesh is white, somewhat bony (like most large cyprinids), and is a staple protein source across South Asia.
Climate and outdoor ponds
- Climate
- tropical (needs warm water year-round)
- USDA zones
- 9–13 (winter low around -7°C or warmer)
- Heating needed
- yes
- Cooling needed
- no
Care notes
A warm-water, high-volume aquaculture species used primarily in South Asian polyculture systems. Catla occupies the surface-feeding niche in the classic three-species Indian carp polyculture (catla at the surface, rohu in the midwater, mrigal on the bottom), with each species exploiting different food resources and water zones. Temperature range: 18–35°C, optimal at 25–32°C. Growth is fast in productive water: 1–2 kg in 12-18 months in fertilized ponds. In intensive culture with pellet feed (25-32% protein), FCR is 1.5-2.5. Catla is not well-suited to small-scale Western aquaponics because it's a filter feeder that performs best in plankton-rich pond water rather than the clear, filtered water of typical aquaponics systems. However, in large-scale integrated aquaculture operations in South Asia, catla ponds with vegetable grow beds are a form of traditional aquaponics that predates the Western hobby. Stocking in polyculture is typically 20-30% catla (surface), 40-50% rohu (midwater), and 20-30% mrigal (bottom). Fingerlings are abundantly available from government and private hatcheries across India and Bangladesh. Legal everywhere in South Asia. Not commonly available or cultured outside the Indian subcontinent.