What are SIS?
According to Rahman (1989), there are 260 species of freshwater indigenous fish in Bangladesh. In the past, most of these
have been classified as small and of little commercial or economic value (Ali, 1997). One source groups them together as
"miscellaneous species of fish and prawn", describing them as "poor people's fish", and concludes that "subsistence fishing
for small fish and prawns provide a cushioning effect on poverty" (FAP 6, 1993).
A recent study (Fells et aI, 1996) implied that small fish are not so small, growing to a length of 25 cms. This study listed 45
species, including 18 species of carps and 9 each of catfishes, perches and other groups as SIS (see Appendix 2 for
complete list). Felts et al (1996) further sub-categorized SIS into three main groups:
a. Species which reach a maximum length up to 7.5 cm (3 inches).
b. Species which reach a maximum length up to 15 cm (6 inches).
c. Species which reach a maximum length up to 25 cm (9 inches).
Another study (Ali, 1997) listed 143 species of SIS, some of which are shown in the table below:
Table showing main SIS species groups (Ali, 1997)
Species Group
Small catfishes
Knifefishes
Snakeheads
Needlefishes
Minnows, Rasboras and Bards
Loaches
Anchovies and Sardines
Spiny eels
Climbing Perch
Gobies
Mud Perches
Glassfishes
Fresh water prawns
Local Name
Magur
Singi
Pabda
Tengra
Foli
Shoal
Taki
Kaikka
Puti
Chela
Mola
Jaya
Rani
Phasa
Chapila
Bairn
Koi
Bailla
Meni/Royna
Chanda
Icha
Scientific Name
Clarias batrachus
Hetropneus/es fossilis
Ompok pabda
Mystus tengra
Notopterus notopterus
Channa striatus
Channa punctatus
Xenentodon cancila
Puntills sarana
Salmostoma phulo
Amblypharyllgodon mola
Aspidoparia jaya
Botia dario
Setipilllla phasa
Gudusia chapra
Mastacembelus aculeatus
Anabas testudineus
Glossogobius giuris
Nandus nandus
Chanda ranga
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