The finned friends

Sardine(Mathi in vernacular language).

 Mackerel( Ayala).






Orange fin labeo( KAALAANJI)








Trumpet fish( CHEMBALLI)









This Gunther's Catfish( MANJA KOORI)







This is Kawa Kawa/Tuna( CHOORA)





                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Anchovy NATHOLI/KOZHUVA/NETHAL)





Mozabique Thilopia( THILOPIA)

GreeenChromide/Pearl Spot( KARIMEEEN)


                                                                               

 Bral( VARAAL/BRAAAL)

       Ray fish(THERENDI)

This is Pomfret(AAKOLI)

These are a few commonly seen fishes in Kerala. These are Edible fishes . Of these Karimeen is a known fish for the dish (MEEN POLLICHATHU), Anchovy is best for a preparation called( MEEN PEERA). Mackerel ( Ayalaa ) is the national fish of the country.

A phenomenon called CHAAKARA occurs annually in the month of June/July. Shoals of fishes swim near to shore in the monsoon month .This is of a great importance to the fishermen who harvest these catch.

It has been observed by Cochin University of Science and Technology(CUSAT) that the interlinking of rivers may prove harmful to the fishes and they may be extinct. A inventory study conducted in the rivers of western ghats, it was found that there were 143 fish species, of which 29 are endangered, 14 critically endangered and 13 endemic to Kerala waters are significantly less in number.

Measure should be taken to preserve our aquatic environment. As a part of this Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) has been developed for few endangered endemic fishes of Kerala.