Ilish, The Iconic Bengali Fish

Ilish is the national fish of Bangladesh today.

Ilish is a fish related to herring from South Asia.

About 97 percent of the world’s ilish comes from Bangladesh.

Female ilish can grow up to 55 centimeters long.

Males reach maturity at 26 to 29 centimeters.

Females mature at 31 to 33 centimeters in length.

Ilish lives in rivers and seas across eleven countries worldwide.

Ilish feeds on diatoms, green algae, and tiny crustaceans.

Ilish migrates 50 to 100 kilometers upstream to spawn.

Bangladesh bans ilish fishing season for 65 days annually.

About 450,000 people catch ilish directly for their livelihood.

Ilish contributes about 1.15 percent of Bangladesh’s GDP.

Bengalis cook ilish in more than fifty delicious ways.

Ilish remains a celebrated symbol of culture and cuisine.