Last updated on November 29th, 2023 at 07:38 pm
Palla fish, also known as Ilish fish, is fish native to the rivers of the Ganges River basin in India and Bangladesh. Because they’re an important food source in their home region, palla fish are cultivated and raised on commercial fish farms to meet demand.
They’re one of the most consumed species of freshwater fish in South Asia, but surprisingly little research has been done on these hardy creatures to determine what makes them so resilient and resistant to disease despite frequent water pollution and poor farming conditions.
You may have heard of Ilish fish and palla fish, also known as Hilsa fish, but are unsure of what they are exactly or how to care for them. These fish are common in the cuisine of South Asia and can be both delicious and exciting additions to your home aquarium!
To keep your palla fish healthy and happy, here are some fascinating facts about this unique species that you probably didn’t know before!!
What is Palla Fish (Ilish Fish)?
Palla fish or Ilish fish are fishes found in the freshwater of Bangladesh. They are popularly known as shorshe ilish (due to their delicious taste and how they look when swimming in water. These fishes are mostly found in the river Padma, near Munshiganj district of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Srilanka.
Palla fish, or Hilsa, is a freshwater fish found all over south Asia and they are from the species of fish in the Clupeidae (herring) family. It is an extremely popular food fish, eaten throughout Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Maldives, and Myanmar (Burma).
The flesh is generally white and slightly sweet with a firm texture. Palla means the tall one in Bengali; Ilish means hilsa in Bangla. Even though Bangladeshi people prefer palla fish to all other kinds of Ilish fish, it is often confused with other types of ilish. This confusion could be due to lack of knowledge or maybe because some people just want to try another type of ilish for change.
They are tropical freshwater fish native to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, and Myanmar. Pallas’s Freshwater Eel is one of almost 300 species belonging to Family Channidae in Order Ophidiiformes under Class Actinopterygii which includes rays and skates but no sharks.
Scientific Name
The scientific name of the palla fish is ilisha melanopterus or ilisha ilisha.
What is Palla fish called in English?
The English name of palla fish is hilsa herring or hilsa shad
What is their behavior?
Ilish fish like to travel in groups. They tend to display a more fearful nature when they are away from water, which is why it is often difficult for them to survive in environments that don’t contain water bodies.
Where do palla fish live?
The palla fish is native to Asia and Africa. Pallas’s blenny inhabits rocky areas, tide pools, and coral reefs in the South China Sea and the Malay Archipelago. In some regions, it is also found in brackish water. The pala fish can thrive in brackish conditions with a pH range of 7.8 to 8.4.
However, they are primarily benthic fish that live on sandy or rock substrates. They are most commonly found on sand bars in lagoons and outer reef slopes. Even though they prefer quiet locations during the daytime, they may venture out during low tides at night.
What do palla fish eat?
Palla fish are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals. They enjoy eating insects, crustaceans, and worms. On top of that, they like to nibble on plant matter from time to time as well. If you’re looking for specific palla fish food-types for your fish, you’ll be able to find many different options at your local pet store or online.
Be sure to do some research before committing to anyone kind of fish food; it will take some trial and error before you figure out what works best with your palla fish.
Palla fish predators
Ilish fish have few natural predators, but they can be vulnerable to ospreys and other birds of prey. When Ilish fish are caught by larger predatory species, they sometimes bite onto their attacker’s body and do not let go until death. In doing so, Ilish fish are able to protect themselves from further harm after being captured.
Palla fish breeding and reproduction
Palla fish are very easy to breed. When they reach maturity, they can easily be crossed with another palla and will often spawn at night. The fish require brackish water, so it’s recommended that you add 1 tablespoon of salt per gallon of water for breeding purposes.
After spawning, remove some of the eggs to a separate container because pallas will eat their own eggs if given a chance. To increase your chances of seeing them hatch, attach an air stone or bubbler to your tank. Eggs typically hatch in about 8 days. If any don’t hatch, use a turkey baster or small syringe to squeeze gently on them; sometimes it helps shake loose whatever is inhibiting hatching.
Once hatched, feed newly hatched palla fry crushed flake food for about 4 to 5 days until they begin to take adult food sources.
How long do palla fish live (lifespan)?
They generally live for 4 to 5 years but can be as old as 6 or 7 years. They’re not particularly long-lived fish, but they grow rapidly in their first year of life so that may contribute to their overall lifespan.
Interesting facts about palla fish
Palla fish, also known as Ilish fish, is a type of freshwater fish belonging to the family of Clupeidae (herring). It can grow up to 24 inches (61 cm) long and weigh almost 7 pounds (3 kg). The species of palla fish is distributed throughout tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
This popular edible fish enjoys enormous popularity in markets all over Asia where it’s widely used for cooking different types of dishes. Similar to its close relative, hilsa fish (Tenualosa ilisha), it has delicate white meat that’s easy to cook and swallow, which makes it an excellent choice for beginners who don’t have much experience with cooking fresh seafood yet.