: Prefers still or slow-moving waters, such as backwaters, floodplains, and shallow lakes with dense vegetation. They are also known to tolerate brackish coastal waters and estuaries.

: While growth varies by habitat, they can live up to 16–20 years. Large specimens can reach lengths of 30–50 cm, though their size often decreases in overpopulated or resource-strained environments. Habitat and Behavior

: A specialized feeder with a sub-inferior mouth that can extend like a tube. This allows it to sift through sediment for chironomids, small crustaceans, and mollusks. It can also switch to filter feeding when zooplankton is abundant.