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കരിമീൻ വഴിയരികിൽ വില്പനയ്ക്ക് വച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു, കുട്ടനാട്ടിൽ നിന്ന്

Green chromide

A brackish water cichlid native to India and Sri Lanka.

Photo: Arayilpdas at Malayalam Wikipedia ., CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

The green chromide is a cichlid fish found in fresh and brackish waters of India and Sri Lanka. It is valued as a food fish, particularly in Kerala, where it holds official state status.

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  • Official state fish of Kerala since 2010
  • Grows up to 40 cm in length
  • Lives in brackish water and river deltas
  • Several adults care for each brood
  • Known as karimeen in Kerala

What it is

The green chromide is an oval-shaped cichlid with a short snout. Its body is grey-green with dark vertical bars and a distinct dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin. Adults typically grow to 20 cm, though they can reach twice that size. This fish belongs to the genus Etroplus, which is closely related to cichlids found in Madagascar.

Where it lives

This species is native to fresh and brackish habitats in India and Sri Lanka. In India, it is found in regions such as Kerala, Goa, and Odisha, including Chilika Lake. It thrives in river deltas and estuaries. The fish has also been introduced outside its native range, with established populations in Singaporean estuaries.

How it lives

Green chromides are primarily herbivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, filamentous algae, and diatoms. They occasionally consume animal matter such as mollusks. In reservoirs, they share ecological niches with other cichlids like Oreochromis mossambicus, often feeding on detritus. Their biomass in these artificial lakes remains low compared to other species.

Breeding and life cycle

The species exhibits attentive parental care. Several adults participate in caring for each brood, ensuring higher survival rates for the young. This cooperative behaviour is a notable trait among members of the Etroplus genus.

Green chromide
A drawing made by EveryFish from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real fish.

Fish and people

Known locally as karimeen in Kerala, this fish is a popular delicacy. It was declared the official state fish of Kerala in 2010, and 2011 was marked as the Year of the Karimeen. Dishes like Karimeen pollichathu are served in restaurants. High demand and limited production often make it expensive for consumers.

Green chromide ( Etroplus suratensis )
Green chromide ( Etroplus suratensis ). Photo: Peter Corbett, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Questions people ask about Green chromide

What does the green chromide eat?

It mainly consumes aquatic plants, including filamentous algae and diatoms. Occasionally, it eats mollusks and other animal matter. In reservoirs, it also feeds on detritus.

Where is the green chromide found?

It is native to fresh and brackish waters in India and Sri Lanka. Specific locations include Kerala, Goa, and Chilika Lake. It has also been introduced to Singapore.

Why is it called karimeen?

Karimeen is the local name for the green chromide in Kerala. It is a popular food fish there and was declared the official state fish in 2010.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Green chromide", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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