Boal Fish (Wallago Attu): Characteristics, Uses

Boal fish or Wallago attu is a catfish of freshwater which is native to South and Southeast Asia. The fish is of the Siluridae family and it is very popular and highly prized in it’s native area.

This fish is known by many different names in many different regions and languages with the common names are wallago catfish and helicopter catfish. Other names of these fish include Borali, Aaththu vaalai, Sareng, Balia, Gual, Tapah, Barari, nga pat, Barwari, Balai, Parhin, Attu vala, Baloo, Bohari, Mully, Jarko, Walaya, Valaga etc.

Wallago attu is one of the fish species that has been used as food in the Southeast Asian countries since ancient times. It is mainly popular in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal and some other countries.

Boal Fish or Wallago Attu Full Info

The Wallago attu or Boal fish can become very large in size, and can reach a maximum length of 2 meters. This fish shares parts of it’s native range with the externally similar, but much larger Wallagonia leerii, and is subsequently often confused for it. It can, however, be differentiated by its relatively long and narrower head, as well as its dorsal fin, which is high and sharp, opposed to that of Wallagonia leerii, which is lower and rounded. Additionally, the eyes of Wallago attu lie above the mouth of the fish, whilst they lie on the same level as the mouth in Wallagonia leerii.

Classification of Boal Fish

The classification of this fish are listed below.

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassTeleostomi
OrderSiluriformes
FamilySiluridae
GenusWallago
SpeciesW. attu
Scientific NameWallago attu

Physical Characteristics

Boal fish is a large fish species which can reach a maximum length of 2 meter. The Wallago attu is similar in appearance to Wallagonia leerii, which is much larger in size. However, Wallago attu can be differentiated by it’s relatively long and narrower head, as well as its dorsal fin, which is high and sharp, opposed to that of Wallagonia leerii, which is lower and rounded.

boal, boal fish, boal fish pictures

Additionally, the eyes of Wallago attu lie above the mouth of the fish, whilst they lie on the same level as the mouth in Wallagonia leerii.

Feeding

As a large, predatory fish, Wallago attu maintains a largely piscivorous diet. Gut content analysis performed on specimens from the Godavari river in India shows that about 90 to 95% of the consumed food consisted of animal matter.

Among the prey fishes most commonly found in the stomachs of Godavari river W. attu are razorbelly minnows (Salmophasia phulo), ticto barbs (Pethia ticto) and perchlets (Chanda nama), all of which are small species that reach maximum lengths of about 10–12 cm (3.9–4.7 in).

Breeding

Rainy season is the breeding period of Boal. They generally lay eggs in July to August. They lay eggs in both bound and open water reservoir.

Uses

Wallago attu is one of the fish species that has been used as food in the Southeast Asian countries since ancient times. It is a fatty fish and very popular for it’s taste in it’s native area.

Nutritive Value of Wallago Attu

Wallago attu is a oily or fatty fish, and it is very nutritious. Nutritive value of Boal is listed bellow in the chart.

Nutritive ElementsNutrition Value (Per 100g fish)
Protein15.4g
Fat2.70g
Iron0.6g
Calcium0.16g
Phosphorus0.49g

Frequently Asked Questions

People ask many questions about Boal fish. Here we are listing the most common questions about this fish species, and trying to answer them. Hope you will find your answer. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have more questions.

What is boal fish called in English?

English name of boal fish is Wallago catfish or Hilicopter catfish.

Is boal fish good for health?

Yes, like many other oily fish, boal fish also has many health benefits. Consuming boal fish helps to lower the risk of heart disease, improve mental ability and give protection from cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and alcohol related dementia.

Does boal fish has bones?

No, this fish has no scales or bones.

Is boal a sea fish?

No, boal is not a sea fish. Rather it is a freshwater fish species.

Is boal a catfish?

Yes, boal is a species of catfish.

Is Wallago attu good for health?

Yes, like many other oily fish, Wallago attu also has many health benefits. Consuming Wallago attu helps to lower the risk of heart disease, improve mental ability and give protection from cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and alcohol related dementia.

Is Wallago attu a predatory fish?

Yes, Wallago attu is a predatory fish and it maintains a largely piscivorous diet.

Is Wallago attu catfish?

Yes, Wallago attu is a catfish.

What are feeding habits of Wallago Attu?

As a large, predatory fish, Wallago attu maintains a largely piscivorous diet. Gut content analysis performed on specimens from the Godavari river in India shows that about 90 to 95% of the consumed food consisted of animal matter.

How big can Wallago attu get?

Wallago attu reaches lengths of around or up to 2 meter, and weights around or up to 45 kg.

What does Wallago attu eat?

They eat several types of small fish and animal from water. Baby Wallago Attu fishes eat various types of tiny fish and insects.

Which fin is very long in Wallago Attu?

Dorsal fin small, anal fin very long. Mandibular barbel longer than pelvic fin; 24-30 gill rakers on the first arch.

How many pairs of gills are present in Wallago Attu?

The spatial distribution on gills has been analyzed in such a way that the gill apparatus of each side was partitioned into four gill arches.

Can we eat Wallago fish?

Yes, sure! Wallago catfish is one of the fish species that has been used as food in Southeast Asia since ancient times.

What are the characteristics of Wallago attu?

Body elongate, strongly compressed. Mouth very deeply cleft, its corner reaching far behind eyes. Teeth in jaws set in wide bands; vomerine teeth in two small patches. Barbels two pairs; maxillary barbels extending to anterior margin posterior of anal fin, mandibulary barbels to angle of mouth.

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