The Mrigal fish is a species of ray-finned fish in the carp family. It is also called Cirrhinus mrigala, Cirrhinus cirrhosus, Morakhi, Moree, White carp and Mrigal carp fish.
It is native to streams and rivers of south Asia, especially India. The only surviving wild population of this fish is in the Cauvery River, leading to it’s IUCN rating as Vulnerable. It is widely aquacultured in many countries, and also introduced outside it’s native range.
Mrigal fish is one of the 3 Indian major carp fish species, cultivated widely in Southeast Asian countries. It has long been important in polyculture with other native fish species.
Especially farming with Rui and Catla fish is very popular. Although records of it’s culture are available only from the early part of the twentieth century.
Today, Mrigal fish has become an important component in the fish farming systems of India, Myanmar, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Laos, Thailand and Nepal.
It has also been introduced into China, Mauritius, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Mrigal Fish Full Information
Read more information about this carp fish species below.
Physical Characteristics
The Mrigal fish can grow very big. Their body is bilaterally symmetrical and streamlined. The depth is about equal to length of head.
Their body is covered with cycloid scales, and there are no scales on their head and snout blunt. Their mouth is broad, transverse (the upper lip entire and not continuous with lower lip).
They have pharyngeal teeth in 3 rows 5.4.2/2.4.5 pattern; lower jaw with a small post-symphysial knob or tubercle.
Pectoral fins of the Mrigal fish are shorter than head, and the anal fin don’t extend to caudal fin. The Pectoral, pelvic and anal fins with 18-19, 9 and 8 soft rays respectively. The caudal fin is homocercal and deeply forked.
Body color of the Mrigal fish is usually dark grey on the back and silvery on the sides and belly. Their fins are of grayish color, tips of pelvic, and the lower lobe of caudal are tinged orange (especially during the breeding season).
The mouth of these fish is devoid of any teeth on the jaws, like all other carp fish species. They can generally reach a maximum length of around 1 meter, with an average length of around 40 cm.
Average live body weight of the fish is around 1-2 kg, with a maximum weight of around 12.7 kg. Photo and info from FAO and Wikipedia.
Diet
Mrigal fish are the benthopelagic and potamodromous plankton feeder. Naturally they are mainly feed on detritus such as debris found in the bottom layers of the water.
They are also a keen algae and invertebrates feeder. But today they are feed commercial feeds in commercial production.
Breeding
Hatchlings of Mrigal generally remain in the surface or sub-surface waters. But the fry and fingerling tend to move to deeper water. And the mature fish are bottom dwellers.
Depending on location, Mrigal fish generally reach maturity within their 1-2 years of age, when their body length reach around 34 cm.
In natural conditions, generally breeding occurs during the south-west monsoon season in shallow newly inundated wetlands and or river side pools.
They generally breed in water of 0.5-1.0 m. The females can lay up to a million eggs. Artificial breeding is very popular for this fish species.
Uses
The Mrigal fish is generally used for food. It has great economic importance in it’s native range.
Special Notes
The Mrigal fish are fast growers. They are generally a species of freshwater, but can also tolerate high levels of salinity.
It is very popular as a food fish, and a very important aquacultured freshwater fish species throughout South Asia.
It is widely cultured as a component of a polyculture system of 3 Indian major carps, along with Rui and Catla fish.
The introduction to aquaculture across India started in the early 1940s and in the 1950s and in the 1960s to other Asian countries. However, review full breed profile of the Mrigal fish in the following chart.
| Name | Mrigal |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Cypriniformes |
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Genus | Cirrhinus |
| Species | C. cirrhosus |
| Binomial Name | Cirrhinus mrigala |
| Other Names | Also called Cirrhinus mrigala, Cirrhinus cirrhosus, Morakhi, Moree, White carp and Mrigal carp fish |
| Breed Purpose | Mainly food |
| Weight | Generally 1-2 kg, with a maximum weight of around 12.7 kg |
| Special Notes | Mainly a freshwater fish species, but can also tolerate salinity, very fast growers, very popular as food fish in their native areas, very popular in polyculture with Catla and Rui fish |
| Breeding Method | Both natural and artificial |
| Climate Tolerance | Native climates |
| Body Color | Usually dark grey on the back and silvery on the sides and belly |
| Rarity | Common |
| Availability | South Asia |
Frequently Asked Questions
People ask many questions about Mrigal fish. Here we are trying to list 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.
How do I know if I have Mrigal?
Mrigal is similar to some other carp fish species. Their mouth is devoid of any teeth on the jaws. Body color usually dark grey on the back and silvery on the sides and belly. Fins are grayish, tips of pelvic, anal and lower lobe of caudal are tinged orange, especially during the breeding season.
Is Mrigal fish edible?
Yes, sure! Mrigal is a freshwater edible fish.
Does Mrigal fish have bones?
Yes, they have numerous bones.
What does Mrigal fish eat?
Mrigal is mainly illiophagous, feeding on the bottom on decayed vegetation, although it can also switch to a filter feeding mode.
Is Mrigal omnivorous fish?
Mature Mrigals are almost entirely herbivorous, and are feed on plankton, but also grazes on algae. But the juveniles are omnivorous to about 5 cm TL.
What is the color of yolk of Mrigal fish?
Vary from light red to brownish or reddish, depending on the diameter.
Is Mrigal fish is tasty?
Yes, the fish is very tasty than some other freshwater fish species.
Is Mrigal a fresh water fish?
Yes, Mrigal is a freshwater fish species.
Is Mrigal fish good for health?
Yes, they are healthy and a very good source of protein.
Is Mrigal a bottom feeder?
Yes, Mrigal is a bottom feeder.
How does Catla differ from Mrigal?
Mrigal have a narrower range of acceptable foods, being bottom-feeders living mainly on decaying vegetation. While the Catla fish are a surface feeder and sustain on phytoplankton mainly, and they have large head.
How long does Mrigal fish take to grow?
Depends on your target market size. Generally, they grow very faster, and become ready for marketing as early as 6-8 months.
What is the scientific name of Mrigal fish?
Cirrhinus cirrhosus is the scientific name of Mrigal fish.
What are other names of Mrigal fish?
Mrigal is also called Cirrhinus mrigala, Cirrhinus cirrhosus, Morakhi, Moree, White carp and Mrigal carp fish.
Is Mrigal a middle zone feeder?
No! Mrigal is a bottom feeder.
Is Mrigal a surface feeder?
No! Mrigal is a bottom feeder.
What i so special about Mrigal fish?
Mrigal is mainly a freshwater fish species, but can also tolerate some salinity, very fast growers, very popular as food fish in their native areas, very popular in polyculture with Catla and Rui fish.
What is the body color of Mrigal fish?
Usually dark grey on the back and silvery on the sides and belly.
What are the main characteristics of Mrigal fish?
The Mrigal fish can grow very big. Their body is bilaterally symmetrical and streamlined. The depth is about equal to length of head. Their body is covered with cycloid scales, and there are no scales on their head and snout blunt. Their mouth is broad, transverse (the upper lip entire and not continuous with lower lip). They have pharyngeal teeth in 3 rows 5.4.2/2.4.5 pattern; lower jaw with a small post-symphysial knob or tubercle. They can generally reach a maximum length of around 1 meter, with an average length of around 40 cm. Average live body weight of the fish is around 1-2 kg, with a maximum weight of around 12.7 kg.
