CarrerNaksha at 09:41, 20 October 2025

2025-10-20T09:41:48Z

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{{Short description|Species of fish}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Etroplus suratensis.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name = ":0"/>
| taxon = Etroplus suratensis
| authority = ([[Marcus Elieser Bloch|Bloch]], 1790)
}}

The '''green chromide''' ('''''Etroplus suratensis''''') is a species of [[cichlid]] fish that is native to fresh and [[brackish]] water habitats in some parts in [[India]] such as [[Kerala]], [[Goa]], [[Chilika Lake]] in [[Odisha]] and [[Sri Lanka]]. The species was [[Species description|first described]] by [[Marcus Elieser Bloch]] in 1790.<ref name="fishbase">{{FishBase species | genus = Etroplus | species = suratensis | month = July | year = 2011}}</ref> This species and other members of the genus ''[[Etroplus]]'' are relatively closely related to the ''[[Paretroplus]]'' cichlids from [[Madagascar]].<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00225-2 |pmid=15012941 |title=Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the Malagasy and South Asian cichlids (Teleostei: Perciformes: Cichlidae) |journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |volume=30 |issue=3 |pages=599–614 |year=2004 |last1=Sparks |first1=John S. |bibcode=2004MolPE..30..599S }}</ref>

Other common names include '''pearlspot cichlid''',<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|author=Abraham, R. | year = 2011 | title = ''Etroplus suratensis'' | journal = [[The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]] | volume = 2011 | page = e.T172368A6877592 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T172368A6877592.en | doi-access = free }}</ref> '''banded pearlspot''', and '''striped chromide'''.<ref>[http://www.fishbase.org/ComNames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=4681&GenusName=Etroplus&SpeciesName=suratensis&StockCode=4899 Common names of ''Etroplus suratensis''.] FishBase. 2015.</ref> In [[Kerala]], it is known locally as '''''karimeen'''''. In [[Tamil Nadu]], it is known locally as the '''''pappan''''' or '''''pappa'''''.<ref name=hindu>{{cite news | last=Basheer | first=K.P.M. | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/Karimeen-leaps-from-frying-pan-to-State-fish/article16189480.ece | title=Karimeen leaps from frying pan to State fish | newspaper=The Hindu | date=9 July 2010 | access-date=22 December 2019 }}</ref> In [[Goa]], the fish is known as '''''kalundar'''''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://goodgoanfood.blogspot.in/2011/11/local-konkani-names-for-common-fish-in.html | title=Good Goan Food: Local (Konkani) names for Common Fish in Goa| date=2011-11-25}}</ref> In Odisha, the local name is '''''kundal'''''.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jones |first1=S. |last2=Sujansingani |first2=K. H. |date=1954 |title=Fish and Fisheries of the Chilka Lake with Statistics of Fish Catches for the Years 1948-1950|url=http://repository.ias.ac.in/34039/1/34039.pdf |language=English |journal=Indian Journal of Fisheries |volume= |issue= |pages=342 |doi= |access-date=17 November 2021}}</ref> In Sri Lanka this fish is known as ''Mal koraliya''.

It has been [[Introduced species|introduced]] in various parts of the world outside its native range,<ref name=":0" /> including [[Singapore]], where it occurs in [[estuary|estuaries]].<ref>[http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/marinefish/text/335.htm Green Chromide.] Guide to Common Marine Fishes of Singapore.</ref> The [[Government of Kerala]] declared pearlspot as the official fish of [[Kerala]].

==Habitat and behavior==
The green chromide lives in [[brackish water]] habitat types, such as river deltas. It eats mainly aquatic plants, including filamentous [[algae]] and [[diatom]]s, but it consumes the occasional [[mollusk]] and other animal matter. This species engages in attentive parental care in which several adults care for each brood.<ref name=":0" />

==Appearance==
The adult is oval in shape with a short snout. It is grey green with dark barring and a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin.<ref name=":0" /> It commonly reaches {{cvt|20|cm|in|0}} in length, and the maximum length is twice that.<ref name="fishbase"/>

==Relationship with humans==
Etroplus suratensis is a popular food fish and it is considered a delicacy.<ref>[https://www.fws.gov/fisheries/ANS/erss/uncertainrisk/ERSS-Etroplus-suratensis-FINAL-June2019.pdf ''U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424130312/https://www.fws.gov/fisheries/ANS/erss/uncertainrisk/ERSS-Etroplus-suratensis-FINAL-June2019.pdf |date=2021-04-24 }} April 2011.</ref>

''Etroplus suratensis'' and ''[[Etroplus maculatus|E. maculatus]]'' form the main species and the former is dominant among pearl spots in reservoirs of India. They mainly feed on detritus and occupy the same niche as that of ''[[Oreochromis mossambicus]]''. These fishes are a popular delicacy but their biomass is very low in reservoirs compared to other cichlids.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2009.05.020 |title=Assessment of impacts of invasive fishes on the food web structure and ecosystem properties of a tropical reservoir in India |journal=Ecological Modelling |volume=220 |issue=18 |pages=2281–2290 |year=2009 |last1=Feroz Khan |first1=M. |last2=Panikkar |first2=Preetha |bibcode=2009EcMod.220.2281F }}</ref>

In 2010 this species was named the official state fish of [[Kerala]]. The following year was declared "The Year of the Karimeen". Karimeen pollichathu, a fried dish, is a delicacy served in restaurants. Due to low number of production and high demand, the species have often been expensive to the public.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Something fishy? Despite huge demand, karimeen farming in Kerala in the doldrums |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/aug/11/something-fishy-despite-huge-demand-karimeen-farming-in-kerala-in-the-doldrums-2182043.html |access-date=2022-03-09 |website=The New Indian Express |date=11 August 2020 }}</ref> Production of the species for food is expected to increase in the near future.<ref name=hindu/>
==See also==
*[[Indian Fish Breeds List]]

==References==
{{Commons category|Etroplus suratensis}}
{{Wikispecies|Etroplus suratensis}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213735/http://parisaramahiti.kar.nic.in/fish/f190.htm Pearl-spot.] Fresh water fishes of Karnataka. ENVIS Centre.

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1519619}}

[[Category:Etroplus|suratensis]]
[[Category:Fish of South Asia]]
[[Category:Cichlid fish of Asia]]
[[Category:Fish of India]]
[[Category:Fish of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Kerala cuisine]]
[[Category:Fish described in 1790]]
[[Category:Brackish water organisms]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Marcus Elieser Bloch]]

Green chromide - Revision history

CarrerNaksha at 09:41, 20 October 2025