BAILA TRAY FISH(বাইলা মাছ)

Origin & Habitat:
Shol fish, also known as Snakehead Murrel, is a freshwater predatory fish found in rivers, canals, ponds, and swamps across Bangladesh, India, and Southeast Asia. It’s locally called Shol in Bengali.

Appearance:

• Long, cylindrical body that looks snake-like

• Dark brown or blackish on top, lighter on the belly

• Large mouth with sharp teeth

• No scales on the head (smooth surface)

Weight: Usually 500 grams – 3 kg, but some grow up to 6–7 kg in natural rivers.

Taste:

• Firm, tasty flesh with fewer bones

• Considered very nutritious and healthy

• Often recommended for weak or recovering patients

Nutritional Value:

• High-quality protein

• Rich in iron, calcium, and phosphorus

• Contains omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids that help in tissue repair

Uses:

• Cooked in curries (shol machher jhol)

• Fried or roasted with spices

• In traditional medicine, shol is believed to help in healing after surgery or illness

Origin & Habitat:
Carp is one of the most common freshwater fish in the world. Native to Europe and Asia, it is now widely farmed across the globe, including Bangladesh, India, China, and the USA.

Appearance:

• Medium to large size

• Thick body with large shiny scales

• Colors vary from silver, golden to grayish-black

Weight: Can range from 1–15 kg depending on species and environment.

Taste:

• Mild and slightly sweet flavor

• Firm but tender flesh

• Some species have fine bones, while others have fewer bones

Nutritional Value:

• Rich in protein

• Contains omega-3 fatty acids

• Good source of vitamin B12, phosphorus, and selenium

Uses:

• Widely used in curries (machher jhol in Bengali cuisine)

• Grilled, fried, or baked

• A staple fish in South Asian and East European cuisine

Origin & Habitat:
Long Baim (sometimes called Spiny Eel) is a freshwater fish found in rivers, ponds, canals, and wetlands of Bangladesh, India, and Southeast Asia. It prefers muddy bottoms and slow-moving waters.

Appearance:

• Long, snake-like body (hence called Long Baim)

• Brownish or grayish body with black spots or stripes

• Has small spines and a pointed snout

• Looks like a snake but is a true fish (eel family)

Weight & Size:

• Usually 100 grams to 1 kg

• Can grow up to 1–1.5 feet long

Taste:

• Flesh is soft, tasty, and boneless-like texture

• Considered a delicacy in many rural areas

• Often enjoyed by older people for its smooth meat

Nutritional Value:

• High in protein

• Rich in iron and calcium

• Traditionally believed to help in weakness and recovery after illness

Uses:

• Popular in curry (baim machher jhol)

• Cooked with mustard paste or vegetables

• Sometimes fried whole