PRELIMINARY LIST OF FISHES OF TIRHOOT, BENGAL. 431 



323. Cirrhina reba. 



Several quite small examples. The intestines of this species are very 

 dark, often showing through the somewhat pale skin. 



341. Bavbus sarana. 



Probably ranges throughout India. Many species of barbels attaining a 

 large size are frequently taken in the jheels and tanks of Behar, being a 

 favourite food fish among Europeans and natives alike. One species 

 which I have never yet been able to satisfactorily determine is known 

 as the " Rhoho, " and judging from some large bony capsules of the head 

 of this fish, which I have in my possession, must attain an enormous size. 



389. Barbus conchonius. 



Recorded from Behar by Day, and attaining probably no great size. 



413. Aspidoparia morar. 



A small fish not exceeding much more than seven inches in length. 



417. Rohtee cotio. 



In general appearance this fish has a great resemblance to the Bream 

 (Abramis brama) of home waters. 



436. Danio devario. 



An exceedingly beautiful little fish which glistens in life with all the 

 colours of the rainbow. I recollect obtaining many examples which I kept 

 alive for some time taken from one of the large jheels in the district. Day 

 says it attains a length of four inches. 



449. Chela gora. 



This fish is excellent eating and is the " white-bait " of Behar residents. 

 To the natives it is known as chuhva in the Darbhanga district. It affords 

 good sport with a light rod taking a small fly. I have killed several on a 

 hook baited with a fragment of red wool. In general appearance it closely 

 resembles the well-known " sprat," and in the evenings becomes very live- 

 ly, and may be observed jumping no little distance out of the water. I 

 think it is to a certain extent migratory, as in some seasons I could not 

 obtain any. It is more common in the cold than in the hot weather, and 

 as far as my own observations go, is essentially a river fish. It attains a 

 length of 9 inches. 



Clupeidce. 



The family of herrings are for the greater part marine and esturine 

 fishes, few being found in fresh-water. It is superfluous here to say any- 

 thing regarding their importance as a food supply. Though the majority 

 are good eating, a few tropical species are said to be poisonous. The family 

 is widely spread in temperate and tropical zones being well represented 

 in India. 



469. Clupea chapra. 



Throughout the fresh waters of India in tanks and rivers. It is common 

 in Tirhoot, and attains a length of 8 inches. 



