Edit Esomus danrica

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Name

Scientific name

Esomus danrica

Described by

Authority Hamilton, Year 1822, Bracketed

Family

Cyprinidae

Common names

Flying Barb

Photograph credits

All 2 credited

Summary

The flying barb, Esomus danrica, is a cyprinid with an enormous range across Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, most of India, Myanmar and Sri La…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

70mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 20–26°C, pH 6–8

Hardness

1–12dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Brahmaputra, Chilka, Ganges, Hooghly, Karnali, Koshi

Writing

Etymology

Esomus: from the Latin preposition e-, meaning 'out of', and Ancient Greek σῶμα (sôma), meaning 'body', presumably in reference to the extremely long maxillary…

Distribution

This species is currently-accepted to have an enormous distribution covering parts of Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, most of India, and Sri Lanka. Type …

Habitat

Found in various types of habitat but shows a marked preference for shallow, slow-moving and standing waters such as rice paddies and other temporally-inundate…

Aquarium size

An aquarium with base dimensions of 120 ∗ 30 cm should be the smallest considered.

Maintenance

Choice of décor is not as critical as water quality although this species does look particularly effective in a well-planted tank with a dark substrate. The ad…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Feeds on terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates and their larvae in nature. In the aquarium it will accept dried foods of a suitable size but should also be off…

Behaviour and compatibility

There exist mixed reports on this species' suitability for community aquaria. Some have observed a pronounced tendency to nip the fins of tankmates while other…

Sexual dimorphism

Adult males are noticeably slimmer and usually a little smaller than females.

Reproduction

Unreported.

Notes

There currently exist a dozen described Esomus specie,s although few are seen in the ornamental trade and none are especially popular. Most are commonplace in …

There currently exist a dozen described Esomus specie,s although few are seen in the ornamental trade and none are especially popular. Most are commonplace in their native countries but are generally overlooked by collectors due to their relatively plain colouration. Their most common use in some areas is actually as a feeder fish in the aquaculture of larger species. They are characterised by greatly-enlarged pectoral fins and two pairs of barbels, of which the maxillary pair are extremely long and usually reach the pectoral fins.

In recent years a number of phylogenetic studies involving Esomus and its near relatives have been conducted and conflicting results published. For example a 2003 study by Fang et al. concluded that the genus is the sister group, i.e., most closely-related to, Danio whereas Mayden et al. (2007) placed the genera Chela, Microrasbora, Devario and Inlecypris as sisters to Danio with Esomus as a basal sister group to that larger clade.

A further analysis by Fang et al. published in 2009 recovered Esomus as sister to Danio but noted that its exact placement is uncertain due to conflicting results depending on the type of analysis performed. The authors go on to state that more detailed studies into the molecular and morphological characters of the genus are needed in order to identify its exact relationships with its closest relatives.

Some aquarium hobbyists have recorded a type of wasting disease that can appear in Esomus spp. characterised by a rapid reduction in body mass of affected specimens. The problem manifests itself as an initial thinning of the ventral part of the body just behind the gills and usually results in death within a couple of weeks. As yet no treatment is known.

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Where does this come from?

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

7 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