Title FO Unit 17 corrected.pdf ✅

● Indian Major Carps (IMCs): The cornerstone of Indian freshwater aquaculture are the IMCs: Catla (Catla catla), Rohu (Labeo rohita), and Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala). These species, native to the Indo-Gangetic river systems, are prized for their rapid growth and consumer preference, collectively contributing over 60% of the total carp production. Their life histories are now largely managed within controlled hatchery and pond environments, representing a significant intervention in their natural cycles to ensure a stable supply of fish seed and market-sized fish. ● Other Significant Freshwater Groups: Beyond the IMCs, several other groups are economically important. Catfishes (Order Siluriformes) are a diverse group found in a range of habitats, with some species like the Magur (walking catfish) being highly valued delicacies. Snakeheads (Family Channidae) are notable for their air-breathing adaptations, allowing them to survive in swampy, low-oxygen waters and even migrate short distances over land. They are predatory fish with high nutritive and perceived pharmaceutical value. Featherbacks are carnivorous fish adapted to flowing riverine conditions, commanding a high market price despite their numerous intramuscular bones. Finally, Small Indigenous Fish Species (SIFS), which mature at a size of 25-30 cm, represent a vast and diverse resource, with about 450 species found in India. They inhabit a wide range of water bodies and are crucial for local food security and nutrition. Marine and Brackishwater Fisheries India's marine sector is characterized by a multi-species, multi-gear fishery operating along its extensive coastline, targeting a wide array of pelagic and demersal species. ● Indian Mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta): This scombrid is one of the most important commercial marine species in India. ○ Distribution and Habitat: A pelagic, shoaling species found in the warm, shallow coastal waters (typically 20- 90 meters deep) of the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. It often congregates in turbid, plankton-rich