{{Short description|Species of fish}} {{Speciesbox | image = Etroplus suratensis.jpg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name = ":0"/> | taxon = Etroplus suratensis | authority = (Bloch, 1790) }}

The '''green chromide''' ('''''Etroplus suratensis''''') is a species of cichlid fish that is native to fresh and brackish water habitats in some parts in India such as Kerala, Goa, Chilika Lake in Odisha and Sri Lanka. The species was first described by Marcus Elieser Bloch in 1790.<ref name="fishbase">{{FishBase species | genus = Etroplus | species = suratensis | month = July | year = 2011}}</ref> This species and other members of the genus ''Etroplus'' are relatively closely related to the ''Paretroplus'' cichlids from Madagascar.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00225-2 |pmid=15012941 |title=Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the Malagasy and South Asian cichlids (Teleostei: Perciformes: Cichlidae) |journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |volume=30 |issue=3 |pages=599–614 |year=2004 |last1=Sparks |first1=John S. |bibcode=2004MolPE..30..599S }}</ref>

Other common names include '''pearlspot cichlid''',<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|author=Abraham, R. | year = 2011 | title = ''Etroplus suratensis'' | journal = The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species | volume = 2011 | page = e.T172368A6877592 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T172368A6877592.en | doi-access = free }}</ref> '''banded pearlspot''', and '''striped chromide'''.<ref>[http://www.fishbase.org/ComNames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=4681&GenusName=Etroplus&SpeciesName=suratensis&StockCode=4899 Common names of ''Etroplus suratensis''.] FishBase. 2015.</ref> In Kerala, it is known locally as '''''karimeen'''''. In Tamil Nadu, it is known locally as the '''''pappan''''' or '''''pappa'''''.<ref name=hindu>{{cite news | last=Basheer | first=K.P.M. | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/Karimeen-leaps-from-frying-pan-to-State-fish/article16189480.ece | title=Karimeen leaps from frying pan to State fish | newspaper=The Hindu | date=9 July 2010 | access-date=22 December 2019 }}</ref> In Goa, the fish is known as '''''kalundar'''''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://goodgoanfood.blogspot.in/2011/11/local-konkani-names-for-common-fish-in.html | title=Good Goan Food: Local (Konkani) names for Common Fish in Goa| date=2011-11-25}}</ref> In Odisha, the local name is '''''kundal'''''.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jones |first1=S. |last2=Sujansingani |first2=K. H. |date=1954 |title=Fish and Fisheries of the Chilka Lake with Statistics of Fish Catches for the Years 1948-1950|url=http://repository.ias.ac.in/34039/1/34039.pdf |language=English |journal=Indian Journal of Fisheries |volume= |issue= |pages=342 |doi= |access-date=17 November 2021}}</ref> In Sri Lanka this fish is known as ''Mal koraliya''.

It has been introduced in various parts of the world outside its native range,<ref name=":0" /> including Singapore, where it occurs in estuaries.<ref>[http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/marinefish/text/335.htm Green Chromide.] Guide to Common Marine Fishes of Singapore.</ref> The Government of Kerala declared pearlspot as the official fish of Kerala.

==Habitat and behavior== The green chromide lives in brackish water habitat types, such as river deltas. It eats mainly aquatic plants, including filamentous algae and diatoms, but it consumes the occasional mollusk and other animal matter. This species engages in attentive parental care in which several adults care for each brood.<ref name=":0" />

==Appearance== The adult is oval in shape with a short snout. It is grey green with dark barring and a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin.<ref name=":0" /> It commonly reaches {{cvt|20|cm|in|0}} in length, and the maximum length is twice that.<ref name="fishbase"/>

==Relationship with humans== Etroplus suratensis is a popular food fish and it is considered a delicacy.<ref>[https://www.fws.gov/fisheries/ANS/erss/uncertainrisk/ERSS-Etroplus-suratensis-FINAL-June2019.pdf ''U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424130312/https://www.fws.gov/fisheries/ANS/erss/uncertainrisk/ERSS-Etroplus-suratensis-FINAL-June2019.pdf |date=2021-04-24 }} April 2011.</ref>

''Etroplus suratensis'' and ''E. maculatus'' form the main species and the former is dominant among pearl spots in reservoirs of India. They mainly feed on detritus and occupy the same niche as that of ''Oreochromis mossambicus''. These fishes are a popular delicacy but their biomass is very low in reservoirs compared to other cichlids.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2009.05.020 |title=Assessment of impacts of invasive fishes on the food web structure and ecosystem properties of a tropical reservoir in India |journal=Ecological Modelling |volume=220 |issue=18 |pages=2281–2290 |year=2009 |last1=Feroz Khan |first1=M. |last2=Panikkar |first2=Preetha |bibcode=2009EcMod.220.2281F }}</ref>

In 2010 this species was named the official state fish of Kerala. The following year was declared "The Year of the Karimeen". Karimeen pollichathu, a fried dish, is a delicacy served in restaurants. Due to low number of production and high demand, the species have often been expensive to the public.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Something fishy? Despite huge demand, karimeen farming in Kerala in the doldrums |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/aug/11/something-fishy-despite-huge-demand-karimeen-farming-in-kerala-in-the-doldrums-2182043.html |access-date=2022-03-09 |website=The New Indian Express |date=11 August 2020 }}</ref> Production of the species for food is expected to increase in the near future.<ref name=hindu/> ==See also== *Indian Fish Breeds List

==References== {{Commons category|Etroplus suratensis}} {{Wikispecies|Etroplus suratensis}} {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213735/http://parisaramahiti.kar.nic.in/fish/f190.htm Pearl-spot.] Fresh water fishes of Karnataka. ENVIS Centre.

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1519619}}

suratensis Category:Fish of South Asia Category:Cichlid fish of Asia Category:Fish of India Category:Fish of Sri Lanka Category:Kerala cuisine Category:Fish described in 1790 Category:Brackish water organisms Category:Taxa named by Marcus Elieser Bloch