Mrigal Fish (Gutted) মৃগেল মাছ (আস্ত)

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

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:
Kalo Rupchada is a freshwater fish commonly found in rivers, ponds, and wetlands of Bangladesh and India. It is a darker variant of the regular Rupchada fish.

Appearance:

• Medium-sized, slightly elongated and flattened body

• Dark gray to blackish color on the back, lighter belly

• Small scales with smooth skin

• Broad head with a pointed mouth

Weight:

• Typically 200 grams – 1.5 kilograms

Taste:

• Soft, firm, and flavorful flesh

• Mildly oily, with few bones

• Ideal for traditional curries and frying

Nutritional Value:

• High in protein

• Rich in calcium, phosphorus, and essential vitamins

• Low in saturated fat, healthy for all ages

Uses:

• Cooked in curries (machher jhol)

• Fried or pan-roasted with spices

• Popular in rural and urban markets alike