Rohu
Labeo rohita
Also known asRoho · Rui · Major Indian carp
Water parameters
Minimum tank: 2000 L per individual at harvest size.
Feed and growth
- Feed protein
- 30% target
- Daily feed (warm)
- 1.80% of body weight
- Daily feed (cool)
- 0.60% of body weight
- Max density
- 40 g per litre
A 10000 g adult eats about 180.0 g of feed per day at optimum. 10 fish at adult size: ~1800 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, with introduced populations in Southeast Asia and parts of Africa. The species (Labeo rohita) is the most commercially important of the three major Indian carps (catla, rohu, mrigal), accounting for the largest share of Indian freshwater aquaculture production. Rohu is a midwater column feeder that consumes phytoplankton, periphyton, and vegetable matter. Adults reach 1 m and up to 20 kg in the wild; culture harvest size is typically 0.5–2 kg at 8-14 months. India and Bangladesh produce several million tonnes of rohu annually, making it one of the most produced freshwater fish species in the world. The flesh is white to pinkish, moderately bony (like all large cyprinids), and is the most preferred carp species in South Asian cuisine.
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
The most important warm-water food fish in South Asia, relevant to aquaponics operations across the Indian subcontinent. Temperature range: 18–35°C, optimal at 25–32°C. Growth is fast in warm water: 0.5–1.5 kg in 8-14 months on commercial carp pellet (25-32% protein) or in fertilized ponds with natural algal food. FCR on pellet is 1.5-2.0, efficient for a carp species. In the traditional three-species Indian carp polyculture, rohu occupies the midwater column, feeding on phytoplankton and suspended plant matter, while catla feeds at the surface and mrigal at the bottom. Stocking in polyculture: 40-50% rohu (midwater), 20-30% catla (surface), 20-30% mrigal (bottom). In monoculture or aquaponics, stocking density is 10-25 g/L. Rohu are hardy and disease-resistant under typical conditions, though epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) is a concern in some regions during cool, wet seasons. Fingerlings are abundantly available from government and private hatcheries across India and Bangladesh at very low cost. The species is not commonly cultured outside South Asia and Southeast Asia. For South Asian aquaponics, rohu is the default fish choice: culturally preferred, widely available, fast-growing, and affordable.