The Mrigal Carp is a large freshwater fish introduced to Sri Lanka for aquaculture and inland fisheries. Native to the river systems of the Indian subcontinent, it is now commonly found in reservoirs, lakes, irrigation tanks, and slow-moving rivers throughout the island. It prefers freshwater habitats with muddy or sandy bottoms, where it spends most of its time near the substrate. This bottom-dwelling carp is an omnivorous feeder, consuming decaying organic matter, algae, aquatic plants, insect larvae, worms, and other small organisms found in the sediment. Its feeding habits help recycle nutrients and contribute to the ecological balance of freshwater ecosystems. The Mrigal Carp is generally peaceful and often forms schools, especially during its juvenile stages. In Sri Lanka, the Mrigal Carp is widely cultured because of its fast growth, adaptability, and importance as a food fish. As an introduced species, it plays a significant role in inland fisheries, although it may compete with native bottom-feeding fishes in some freshwater habitats.