Edit Opsarius gatensis
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Name
Scientific name
Opsarius gatensis
Described by
Authority Valenciennes, Year 1844, Bracketed
Family
Cyprinidae
Common names
Malabar Baril
Photograph credits
All 5 credited
Summary
The Malabar baril, Opsarius gatensis, is a cyprinid endemic to the Western Ghats of southern India, in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Oc…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
130mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 150 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 18–26°C, pH 6–7.5
Hardness
2–10dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
India, Bhagra, Bharatapuzha, Cauvery, Chalakudy, Periyar, Sharavathi, Tambraparni
Writing
Etymology
Opsarius: apparently from an Ancient Greek word meaning 'small fish'. gatensis: named for the type locality which is given as 'Mountain of Gates' in the origin…
Distribution
Current records suggest it to be endemic to and occur throughout the Western Ghats mountains, southern India, with records from both east and west-flowing rive…
Habitat
Inhabits well-oxygenated, low-to-medium gradient, moderate to fast-flowing rivers and streams with substrates of gravel, cobbles, larger boulders and exposed b…
Aquarium size
Requires a large aquarium with minimum surface area of 150 ∗ 60 cm or equivalent.
Maintenance
The aquarium should ideally be designed to resemble a flowing stream or river with a substrate of variably-sized rocks, sand, fine gravel, and some larger wate…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Barilius spp. are predominantly surface-feeders preying on aquatic and terrestrial insects in nature, with some small fishes and benthic invertebrates probably…
Behaviour and compatibility
Unsuitable for the general community due to its environmental requirements, and likely to outcompete or intimidate slow-moving and less bold species at meal ti…
Sexual dimorphism
Adult females are less-brightly-coloured, tend to grow a little larger and are thicker-bodied than males, especially when gravid. Nuptial males develop breedin…
Reproduction
Unreported.
Notes
This species is occasionally seen in the ornamental trade, sometimes under the alternative vernacular names of 'river baril, 'river carp-baril', or 'striated h…
References
References
7 on this profile