Edit Eirmotus octozona

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Name

Scientific name

Eirmotus octozona

Described by

Authority Schultz, Year 1959

Family

Cyprinidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 4 credited

Summary

Eirmotus octozona is a small cyprinid with eight dark body bars, known from Johor state in Peninsular Malaysia. The type series came from a…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

36mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 22–26°C, pH 5–7

Hardness

1–8dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Malaysia, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia

Writing

Etymology

Eirmotus: from the Ancient Greek εἱρμός (eirmós), meaning 'train, continuity', in reference to the series of sensory pores on the head. octazona: from the Anci…

Distribution

The type series consisted of aquarium specimens apparently originated from a lake named Bueng Boraphet in western Thailand, but despite extensive sampling of t…

Habitat

Unconfirmed. Other members of the genus variously inhabit shady, slow-moving forest streams with dense marginal vegetation, leaf litter or mud substrates and s…

Aquarium size

An aquarium with a base measuring 60 ∗ 30 cm or larger is recommended.

Maintenance

Will thrive in a heavily-planted or forest stream-type set-up, the latter comprising a soft substrate, dim lighting, roots, branches and leaf litter as décor. …

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Likely to feed on small invertebrates, algae and other zooplankton in nature. In the aquarium it will accept dried foods of a suitable size but should not be f…

Behaviour and compatibility

Unsuitable for most community aquaria as it may be intimidated or outcompeted for food by larger or more boisterous tankmates. Small, peaceful cyprinids such a…

Sexual dimorphism

Adult males are noticeably slimmer than females and exhibit a pale red colouration in the unpaired fins when in good condition.

Reproduction

Unrecorded as far as we know.

Notes

Prior to revision in 2008 the genus Eirmotus was monotypic for almost half a century, with E. octozona the sole representative. There currently exist four spec…

Prior to revision in 2008 the genus Eirmotus was monotypic for almost half a century, with E. octozona the sole representative. There currently exist four species, all of which are similar in appearance.

E. octozona can be told apart from congeners by the following combination of characters: bar 1 present; presence of a large and distinct black mark anterior to anus, visible in lateral and ventral views; simple dorsal-fin rays black, sometimes extending onto first branched ray; other rays hyaline or with diffused chromatophores on last dorsal-fin ray, adjacent to upper extremity of bar 6; 25-31 serrae on last simple dorsal-fin ray; uppermost ray of pectoral-fin with faint black margin; width of bar 5 equal to 1-1½ lateral row scales; mouth terminal, lower jaw wide, rounded anteriorly.

The numbered bars mentioned here refer to the black body bars which the authors ordered from 1 to 8 beginning with the anteriormost across the snout and ending with the small bar across the caudal peduncle. This patterning also gave rise to the english vernacular name of 'false eight-banded barb', under which both E. insignis and E. octozona appear to be offered for sale in the ornamental trade.

Members of this genus possess rows of sensory papillae on the snout, cheeks, throat, opercle and interorbital area that are lacking in most other cyprinids but present in a few other genera including Oreichthys, Cyclocheilichthys, Neobarynotus and a handful of other species. They are further characterised by a small adult size of less than 36 mm SL, body patterning consisting of eight dark bars on a red to yellowish background, relatively large scales, an incomplete lateral line with only 2-6 perforated scales, serrations on the last simple dorsal ray and a lack of barbels.

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My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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References

3 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References