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Quizzes > Science > Biology

Quiz: Aquatic Animals of India - Test Your Knowledge!

Ready to explore India's aquatic wildlife? Dive in and take the quiz!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for quiz on Indian aquatic animals trivia on a golden yellow background

Curious about the hidden marvels beneath India's shores? Our "How Well Do You Know Aquatic Animals in India?" quiz is designed for enthusiasts and curious minds alike. Whether you're passionate about Indian aquatic fauna or eager to tackle marine mysteries, this interactive challenge weaves in fun facts and tough questions that cover aquatic wildlife India, Indian marine life trivia, and more. Ready to compare your score, discover surprising behaviors of river dolphins and seadragons, and put your knowledge to the ultimate test? Click through engaging ocean animal trivia and dive into a dynamic marine quiz to elevate your expertise. Take the plunge - start the India water animals quiz now and see how you measure up!

Which aquatic animal is designated as the national aquatic animal of India?
Ganges river dolphin
Olive ridley sea turtle
Saltwater crocodile
King cobra
The Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is recognized as India's national aquatic animal for its cultural and ecological significance in the Ganges basin. It is one of the few freshwater dolphins in the world and is integral to riverine health. Conservation efforts focus on its habitat along the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers. Source
The scientific name Hoplobatrachus tigerinus corresponds to which common amphibian?
Indian bullfrog
Marsh frog
Glandular toad
Green tree frog
Hoplobatrachus tigerinus is commonly known as the Indian bullfrog or Indus Valley bullfrog. It is widespread in the Indian subcontinent and is noted for its large size and voracious appetite. It often inhabits ponds, rice fields, and other freshwater bodies. Source
Which species of sea turtle is famous for its mass nesting—or 'arribada'—on certain Indian beaches?
Olive ridley sea turtle
Green sea turtle
Loggerhead sea turtle
Hawksbill sea turtle
The olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is known for synchronized mass nesting called 'arribada', particularly at Odisha's Rushikulya and Gahirmatha beaches. Thousands of females come ashore simultaneously to lay eggs. This unique behavior makes them a conservation priority in India. Source
The Ganges river dolphin is locally known by which name?
Susu
Bhulan
Ganguli
Platan
Locally, the Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is called 'Susu', a name derived from the noise it makes while surfacing. This name is used by river communities in India and Bangladesh. Efforts to protect the Susu involve habitat preservation and reducing riverine pollution. Source
The Sundarbans mangrove region, home to the estuarine crocodile and other aquatic wildlife, lies primarily in which Indian state?
West Bengal
Odisha
Andhra Pradesh
Kerala
The Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, spans the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers and lies mainly in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is famous for the Bengal tiger, saltwater crocodile, and diverse aquatic ecosystems. This UNESCO World Heritage site is under threat from climate change and human encroachment. Source
Which is the largest fish species commonly found in Indian coastal waters?
Whale shark
Great white shark
Manta ray
Ganges shark
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish species in the world and is frequently seen in Indian waters, especially along the west coast. Despite their size, they are filter feeders, consuming plankton and small fish. Whale sharks are listed as Endangered by the IUCN. Source
Labeo rohita, an important freshwater fish in Indian aquaculture, is commonly known as what?
Rohu
Catla
Hilsa
Mahseer
Labeo rohita is commonly called Rohu or Rui in India. It is a key species in South Asian aquaculture and is prized for its taste and nutritional value. Rohu is farmed extensively in ponds and integrated fish farming systems. Source
Which prawn species is native to Indian waters and is a mainstay of the Indian shrimp fishery?
Penaeus indicus
Penaeus vannamei
Penaeus monodon
Penaeus semisulcatus
Penaeus indicus, commonly called the Indian white prawn, is indigenous to the Indian Ocean and a major target for coastal fisheries. It is highly valued for its size and flesh quality. Management focuses on sustainable harvesting and farming practices. Source
The Malabar mahseer is an endemic fish of India's Western Ghats. What is its scientific name?
Tor malabaricus
Tor putitora
Labeo rohita
Catla catla
Tor malabaricus, known as the Malabar mahseer, is endemic to the rivers of the Western Ghats. It is prized by anglers and is considered vulnerable due to habitat loss. Conservation includes habitat protection and breeding programs. Source
Anabas testudineus, found in Indian waters, is best known for which unusual adaptation?
Ability to breathe atmospheric air
Electroreception
Bioluminescence
Venomous spines
Anabas testudineus, the climbing perch, possesses a labyrinth organ that allows it to breathe air and survive out of water for extended periods. This adaptation helps it traverse land to colonize new water bodies. It is common in rice paddies, ponds, and slow-moving streams. Source
Mudskippers are fish that can spend time out of water. Which respiratory feature allows this behavior?
Cutaneous (skin) respiration
Bird-like lungs
Electrolytic breathing
Gill ventilation only in water
Mudskippers can breathe through their skin and the lining of their mouth and throat (cutaneous respiration) when out of water. This adaptation enables them to forage on mudflats and avoid aquatic predators. They also retain water in their gill chambers to keep gills moist. Source
Which bivalve species is the primary source of cultured pearls in Indian coastal waters?
Pinctada fucata
Pinctada maxima
Pinna nobilis
Ostrea edulis
Pinctada fucata, the pearl oyster, is farmed extensively along India's east coast for pearl culture. It produces pearls valued for their luster and quality. Hatchery and farming technologies have boosted pearl production in states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Source
Which of the following shark species is legally protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?
Whale shark
Bull shark
Hammerhead shark
Tiger shark
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is listed under Schedule I of India's Wildlife Protection Act, affording it the highest level of legal protection. This status prohibits hunting or trade of the species. Conservation efforts include monitoring populations along the west coast. Source
Which otter species inhabits rivers and estuaries across India and is known for its smooth, dense coat?
Smooth-coated otter
Asian small-clawed otter
North American river otter
Sea otter
The smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) lives in freshwater rivers, lakes, and estuaries across India. It has a sleek coat that repels water and allows efficient swimming. Habitat loss and pollution pose threats to its populations. Source
Tenualosa ilisha, an economically important fish, migrates upstream in which major Indian river to spawn?
Ganges River
Indus River
Brahmaputra River
Mahanadi River
Tenualosa ilisha, known as hilsa, is a migratory shad that travels from the Bay of Bengal into the Ganges River system to spawn. This upstream migration supports a major inland fishery in Bangladesh and India. Overfishing and dam construction threaten its life cycle. Source
The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is distinguished from other crocodilians by which morphological feature?
Extremely long, narrow snout
Large sail-like crest
Bright orange belly
Bioluminescent scales
The gharial’s most distinctive trait is its long, slender snout adapted for catching fish, unlike the broader snouts of other crocodilians. Males also develop a bulbous growth called a 'ghara' on their snout. Gharials are Critically Endangered. Source
The Indus blind fish (Nemacheilus evezardi) exhibits which of the following unique adaptations to its subterranean habitat?
Lack of functional eyes and pigmentation
Electroreceptive barbels
Glowing tail appendage
Retractable gill covers
The Indus blind fish has evolved in dark cave systems, resulting in reduced or nonfunctional eyes and loss of body pigmentation. These traits are common in troglobitic (cave-dwelling) species. The fish relies on other senses to navigate and feed. Source
What is the scientific name of the Deccan mahseer, a major game fish in peninsular India?
Tor khudree
Tor putitora
Labeo calbasu
Cyprinion watsoni
Tor khudree, the Deccan mahseer, inhabits hill streams of the Western Ghats and is renowned for its fighting ability. Overfishing and habitat alteration have reduced its numbers. Conservation includes captive breeding and reintroduction. Source
Indian freshwater sponges are often found attached to which substrate in rivers and streams?
Submerged stones and rocks
Floating plant debris
Buried in mud banks
Open water column
Freshwater sponges in India, such as those in the family Spongillidae, commonly colonize the undersides of stones and rocky substrates in well-oxygenated streams. They filter feed on bacteria and small particles. Their presence indicates healthy water quality. Source
What is the IUCN conservation status of the Ganges shark (Glyphis gangeticus)?
Critically Endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Near Threatened
The Ganges shark is classified as Critically Endangered due to extremely low sightings, overfishing, and habitat degradation in South Asian river systems. Conservation measures are challenged by lack of awareness and data. Research continues to locate remnant populations. Source
Saltwater crocodiles have specialized glands to help them osmoregulate in marine environments. Where are these glands located?
On their tongue
In their tail
In the nostrils
Behind their eyes
Saltwater crocodiles possess lingual salt glands located on the surface of their tongue that excrete excess salt, enabling them to live in marine and brackish waters. These glands are more active when the animal ingests saltwater. Source
Olive ridley sea turtles primarily feed on which group of organisms in Indian coastal waters?
Crustaceans and mollusks
Sea grasses
Plankton
Small fish exclusively
Olive ridley sea turtles are omnivorous but show a strong preference for crustaceans (such as crabs) and mollusks in their diet. They also consume jellyfish and plant material opportunistically. Diet studies help inform coastal management. Source
Which molecular marker is most commonly used to assess genetic diversity in wild and hatchery populations of Tor mahseer in India?
Mitochondrial DNA control region
Allozyme electrophoresis
Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)
Chromosome banding patterns
The mitochondrial DNA control region is widely used to study genetic diversity and population structure of mahseer species because of its high mutation rate and maternal inheritance. It provides insights into lineage differentiation important for management. Source
How many rostral teeth are typically found on each side of the saw in the Ganges sawfish (Pristis microdon)?
23 to 27
10 to 14
40 to 45
5 to 9
Pristis microdon typically bears between 23 and 27 teeth on each side of its elongated rostrum. These lateral teeth are used for sensing and incapacitating prey. Precise counts aid taxonomic identification and age estimation. Source
What is the diploid chromosome number (2n) reported for the Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica)?
42
44
50
36
Cytogenetic studies on Platanista gangetica have determined a diploid chromosome number of 42. This karyotype helps compare evolutionary relationships among river dolphins. Chromosome counts are vital for conservation genetics. Source
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand aquatic biodiversity -

    Gain insight into the diverse aquatic animals in India, from riverine species like the Ganges dolphin to coastal inhabitants such as olive ridley turtles.

  2. Identify iconic species -

    Recognize key members of Indian aquatic fauna through distinguishing traits and common habitats across freshwater and marine ecosystems.

  3. Recall engaging trivia -

    Master fun and surprising facts about aquatic wildlife India, enhancing your retention through memorable quiz questions.

  4. Analyze habitat challenges -

    Evaluate the environmental threats and conservation issues facing water animals in India, fostering a deeper understanding of ecosystem health.

  5. Apply quiz strategies -

    Develop effective recall and test-taking techniques tailored to India water animals quiz formats.

  6. Appreciate ecological importance -

    Recognize the critical roles that Indian marine life trivia plays in promoting conservation awareness and sustainable practices.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Biodiversity of Indian Aquatic Fauna -

    India hosts over 2,000 freshwater fish species and more than 1,200 marine fish species, according to the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). This rich diversity extends to amphibians, reptiles, and mammals like the Ganges river dolphin. Mnemonic tip: "FAR M" reminds you of FAuna, Amphibia, Reptilia, Mammalia in water.

  2. Conservation Status & IUCN Listings -

    The Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is listed as Endangered and the Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Understanding their status helps prioritize conservation efforts under India's Wildlife Protection Act. Example source: IUCN.org and the Zoological Survey of India.

  3. Osmoregulation in Freshwater vs. Marine Species -

    Freshwater fish actively uptake salts, while marine fish excrete excess salts via gills and kidneys. The van 't Hoff equation (Ï€ = iMRT) helps calculate osmotic pressure across membranes - key to understanding aquatic physiology. Remember: "Euryhaline" species tolerate wide salinity ranges.

  4. Ecological Roles & Indicator Species -

    Bivalves and sponges act as natural filters, sharks occupy apex-predator niches, and amphibians signal ecosystem health. The presence of the Indian softshell turtle in rivers, for instance, indicates good water quality (source: Freshwater Biology Journal). Use "Filter, Apex, Indicator" as your triad for ecological roles.

  5. Threats: Overfishing, Pollution & Climate Impact -

    Overfishing (FAO data), plastic pollution, coastal development, and rising temperatures threaten aquatic wildlife India-wide. Recall the mnemonic FOCUS: Fishing, Oil spills, Climate change, Urban runoff, Shoreline loss. Effective management strategies stem from research by CMFRI and the National Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources.

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