Catla

Quick facts

Adult size

100 cm, 25000 g typical harvest weight

Days to harvest

365 to 730 days from fingerling

Lifespan (max)

up to 15 years

Diet

omnivore

Temperature class

warm-water

Difficulty

beginner

Water parameters

Temperature range

14–32°C (optimum 27°C)

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Hardness

5 to 25 dGH

Minimum tank

3000 L per individual at harvest size

Feed and growth

Feed protein

28% target

Daily feed (warm water)

2.00% of body weight per day

Daily feed (cool water)

0.60% of body weight per day

Max stocking density

40 g per litre of system water

A 25000g adult eats about 500.0 g of feed per day at optimum temperature. For a roster of 10 fish at adult size, that's around 5000 g of feed daily.

Legality

Aquaculture and possession rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. This table reflects regulations as of the verified date on each row. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.

Jurisdictions not listed here default to "check local regulations". A non-listing is not a green light; rules in your specific county or municipality may apply.

Habitat and origin

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 classification

tropical (needs warm water year-round)

Outdoor pond zones (USDA)

9 to 13 (winter low around -7°C or warmer)

Heating in a temperate climate

Not required (handles seasonal cool periods)

Cooling in a temperate climate

Not required

Zone bounds reflect year-round outdoor pond viability with no active heating. Anywhere outside the bounded zone, the species can still be kept in an indoor heated tank or a seasonally-managed system. Verify your specific microclimate, as a sheltered yard zone can run a half-zone warmer than the regional rating.

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.

Further reading

• Aquaponics water chemistry: balancing pH for fish and plants
• Fish for aquaponics: tilapia vs everything else