Scientific Name
Rita rita

Common Name
Rita

Biology
Inhabits rivers and estuaries, preferably muddy to clear water (Ref. 1479). Prefers backwater of quiet eddies (Ref. 12045). Feeds on insects, mollusks, shrimps and fishes (Ref. 1479). A very good food fish.

Classification

Classified By

Hamilton, 1822

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Bagrid catfishes (Bagridae)

Distribution

Region

Asia

Distribution

Asia: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

18 °C

Water Temperature To

26 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; ; pH range: 6.5 - 8.0; dH range: ? - 30 demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243)

Trophic Level

3.67 s.e. 0.57 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

150 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5156 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial

Vulnerability

Very high vulnerability (82 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)