Fishes in Sundarban
The Sundarbans is a unique ecosystem that hosts a wide variety of fish species due to its brackish water and mangrove habitats. Below is a list of some of the fish species found in the Sundarbans. Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive, as there are more than 100 fish species in the region.
- Indian River Shad (Tenualosa ilisha)
- Indian Salmon (Polynemus indicus)
- Striped Eel Catfish (Plotosus lineatus)
- Bengal Eel (Anguilla bengalensis)
- Indian Mottled Eel (Anguilla marmorata)
- Indian Glassy Fish (Parambassis ranga)
- Giant Freshwater Pufferfish (Tetraodon mbu)
- Indian Threadfin (Leptomelanosoma indicum)
- Milkfish (Chanos chanos)
- Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer)
- Riverine Catfish (Rita rita)
- Walking Catfish (Clarias batrachus)
- Blackspot Snapper (Lutjanus fulviflamma)
- Goldspotted Grenadier Anchovy (Coilia dussumieri)
- Indian Anchovy (Stolephorus indicus)
- Bombay Duck (Harpadon nehereus)
- Indian Flathead (Platycephalus indicus)
- Mangrove Red Snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus)
- Mullets (Family: Mugilidae)
- Indian Whiting (Sillago sihama)
- Spotted Scat (Scatophagus argus)
- Indian Butterfish (Stromateus cinereus)
- Indian Mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta)
- Shrimps and Prawns (Family: Penaeidae)
- Mudskippers (Family: Gobiidae)
The fish species listed above contribute to the thriving fishing industry in the Sundarbans, providing livelihoods for many local communities. The region’s diverse fish population also supports the food chain for various bird and mammal species, including the endangered Bengal Tiger.