Rita (Rita rita)

Scientific name: Rita rita Hamilton, 1822

The Rita (Rita rita) is a freshwater fish of the family Bagridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 18–26°C (64–79°F). Native range: Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Rita care at a glance

Temperature: 18–26°C (64–79°F)

Biology

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

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Rita rita
Family: Bagridae (Bagrid catfishes)
Order: Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 150
Environment: Freshwater; brackish;; pH range: 6.5 - 8.0; dH range: ? - 30 demersal; potamodromous
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Asia: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial
Resilience: Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026