PEARLSPOT OR KARIMEEN FISH

GREEN CHROMIDE (KERALA KARIMEEN)

                         The green chromide (Etroplus suratensis) is a species of cichlid fish from freshwater and brackish water in southern India and Sri Lanka. It is also known as the pearlspot orkarimeen (കരിമീന്‍‌) in Malayalam and koral in Bengali. Green chromide can be a perfect fish for Pissiculture. In India, it is found throughout Kerala, especially in Kerala Backwaters around Alleppey ,(Alappuzha), and in western flowing rivers in Karnataka, and backwaters of Andhra Pradesh. It feeds on algae, plant material and insects.

The fish, known locally in Kerala as Karimeen, is considered a delicacy. Some of the prominent dishes are the Karemeen Fry, Karemeen Molly and Karemeen Pollichathu. This fish is fairly expensive and is available throughout the year. It is caught mainly using gillnets. It commonly reaches 20 centimetres (7.9 in) in length, and the maximum length is twice that. In 2010 state fisheries minister of Kerala declared Karimeen as the official fish of Kerala state. Year 2010-'11 was observed as 'The Year of the Karimeen". Karemeen Polichathu is commonly wrapped in banana leaves.