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Chang or Hal maeh , Assam ; Cooravu , Mai.; Dowlah and Kubvah , Panj.; 
Hoovina and Murrul , Can.; Poola Chapa , Tel.; Sewlie , Kurku; Samal, 
Gond. 
Habitat. Throughout India; a predaceous fresh water fish. 
Description. There are eight varieties of this snake-headed fish which 
glows up to 3 or 4 feet. It varies much in colour, but there is always an eye-like 
spot on the caudal fin in adult specimens of the true murrul, and five large 
irregular dark marks along the side below the lateral line. 0. punctatus is of a 
dirty green colour, with dark stripes and bars not unlike 0. Gachua. 0. Barca 
is dark green above with yellow sides, the body thickly covered with 
lriegular red and black spots (very common in Bengal and good eating), 
\\inle 0. Striatus is dark grey above with dark bands down the body. 
It exists for a long time out of water. It is long in shape, large of 
mouth, head and body covered with scales. Long dorsal and anal fins, 
without any spines, teeth in the jaws, and on the palate. It is found in tanks, 
also in rrv ers. Its habits are something like those of the pike, but it is a bad 
fighter, and bores to the bottom. When caught, beware of its teeth. It feeds 
morning and evening and is rather shy. It may be spun for with Mahseer 
bait and tackle; it is partial to frogs, but will take paste bait when hungry, 
especially in tanks. 
