Edit Pethia cumingii
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Name
Scientific name
Pethia cumingii
Described by
Authority Günther, Year 1868, Bracketed
Family
Cyprinidae
Common names
Cuming's Barb
Photograph credits
All 3 credited
Summary
Cuming's barb, Pethia cumingii, is a small cyprinid endemic to southwestern Sri Lanka, apparently only in the Bentara and Gin river drainag…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
41mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 20–27°C, pH 5.5–7
Hardness
1–12dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Sri Lanka, Bentara, Gin
Writing
Etymology
Pethia: the generic vernacular name for small cyprinids in the Sinhala language. cumingii: named in honour of British natural history collector Hugh Cuming (17…
Distribution
Endemic to southwestern Sri Lanka where it appears to occur only in the Bentara and Gin river drainages. Historical records from the Kelani and Mahaweli rivers…
Habitat
Apparently displays a preference for flowing streams and tributaries with substrates of sand, gravel, or rocks.
Aquarium size
Base dimensions of at least 60 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent are required.
Maintenance
Choice of décor is not especially critical though it tends to show better colouration in a heavily-planted set-up with a dark substrate. The addition of some f…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Wild fish are foragers feeding on diatoms, algae, organic detritus, small insects, worms, crustaceans, and other zooplankton. In the aquarium it's easily-fed b…
Behaviour and compatibility
Generally very peaceful making it an ideal resident of the well-researched community aquarium. As it places no special demands in terms of water chemistry it c…
Sexual dimorphism
Adult males are noticeably smaller, slimmer, and more colourful than females, especially when in spawning condition.
Reproduction
Like most small cyprinids Pethia spp. are egg-scattering free spawners exhibiting no parental care. When in good condition they will spawn often and in a matur…
Notes
This species was for many years considered to occur in two colour forms with yellow or red dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins, respectively, but the red-finned vari…
References
References
7 on this profile