Edit Esomus metallicus

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Name

Scientific name

Esomus metallicus

Described by

Authority Ahl, Year 1923

Family

Cyprinidae

Common names

Striped Flying Barb

Photograph credits

All 3 credited

Summary

The striped flying barb, Esomus metallicus, is a cyprinid found from the Salween basin in Myanmar east across Thailand to Laos and Cambodia…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

75mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 20–26°C, pH 6–7

Hardness

1–12dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, Chao Phraya, Dong Nai, Mae Klong, Mekong, Phetchaburi, Salween, Tonlé Sap, Xe Bang Fai, Xe Kong

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

Described from 'Phet Buri' which corresponds to modern-day Phetchaburi Province, southwestern Thailand, but currently understood to be distributed from the Sal…

Described from 'Phet Buri' which corresponds to modern-day Phetchaburi Province, southwestern Thailand, but currently understood to be distributed from the Salween River basin, Myanmar, eastwards across Thailand in the Mae Klong, Chao Phraya and Mekong watersheds. In the latter of which it's also been recorded in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Also known from the Tonlé Sap lake and river system in Cambodia, peninsular Thailand and the northern tip of Peninsular Malaysia.

It's abundant across the majority of this range with one interesting population existing on Don Khong island, the largest of the famous Si Phan Don or four thousand islands and situated in the main Mekong river channel, just below the Khone waterfalls in Champasak Province, Laos, while feral populations exist on the islands of Singapore and Borneo.

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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.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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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

We're unsure whether it's been bred in captivity, although it has been induced via the use of hormones for experimental purposes.

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 …

References

6 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