Over all color blackish-green, dark green orbrown. Iris red and lips yellowish-orange. Fins greenishor blackish and round. Central rakers touch one belowwhen appressed. Scales very elongate ovals and stronglyembedded in the skin. Pharyngeal teeth slightly tostrongly hooked and expanded at tip. Gut S-shaped witha small anterior loop. A pair of maxillary barbels present.The second pelvic ray enlarged, reaching the anal inmales. Inhabit bays, small and shallow lakes, slow riversand estuarine areas rich in vegetation. Inactive in winterand bury themselves in mud during severe winters. Maximumage 13 years, total length 84 cm and weight 8.5 kg.Females grow faster than males. Maturity at 3 years.Spawning in shallow water with little current and abundantvegetation, in May and June. Each female accompaniedby 2-3 males. Absolute fecundity up to 1,241,200greenish, adhesive eggs of up to 1.6 mm in diameter.Spawn 2-3 times at intervals of 20-30 days. Omnivoreand food mostly include molluscs, worms and detritus