Edit Pethia phutunio
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Name
Scientific name
Pethia phutunio
Described by
Authority Hamilton, Year 1822, Bracketed
Family
Cyprinidae
Common names
Dwarf Barb
Photograph credits
All 6 credited
Summary
The dwarf barb, Pethia phutunio, is a small cyprinid from the lower Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins in Bangladesh and India. Frequently…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
30mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 21–26°C, pH 6–7
Hardness
3–12dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Bangladesh, India, Brahmaputra, Ganges
Writing
Etymology
Pethia: the generic vernacular name for small cyprinids in the Sinhala language. phutunio: appears to follow a local vernacular name for the fish.
Distribution
Described from 'ponds of northeastern Bengal' which according to changes in the region should now refer to Bangladesh or possibly the extreme north of West Ben…
Habitat
Inhabits sluggish rivers, streams, ponds and swamps which are often choked with algae or aquatic plants at certain times of year. It's often associated with de…
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
Primarily a micropredator feeding on small insects, worms, crustaceans and other zooplankton in nature. In the aquarium it will accept dried foods of a suitabl…
Behaviour and compatibility
Very peaceful but does not make an ideal community fish due to its small size and rather timid nature. It will do best when maintained alone or with other dimi…
Sexual dimorphism
Adult males tend to be noticeably slimmer than females and possess more intense colour pattern. The ventral fins are reddish in males, yellow in females.
Reproduction
Possibly unrecorded, but recommendations for related species are as follows: Like most small cyprinids Pethia spp. are egg-scattering free spawners exhibiting …
Notes
This frequently misidentified species is sometimes referred to as 'spotted-sail barb' or 'spotted-tail barb' and is quite rare in the aquarium trade. It was fo…
References
References
10 on this profile