Edit Pethia punctata
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Name
Scientific name
Pethia punctata
Described by
Authority Day, Year 1865, Bracketed
Family
Cyprinidae
Common names
Not recorded
Photograph credits
All 2 credited
Summary
Pethia punctata is a small cyprinid endemic to the Western Ghats of southwestern India, where it appears restricted to west-flowing rivers.…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
55mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 75 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 21–26°C, pH 6–7.5
Hardness
2–12dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
India
Writing
Etymology
Pethia: the generic vernacular name for small cyprinids in the Sinhala language. punctata: from the Latin punctatus, meaning 'punctuated, dotted'.
Distribution
Described from 'Cochin, India' which corresponds to the city of Kochi in Ernakulam district, Kerala state, southwestern India and endemic to the Western Ghats …
Habitat
Apparently most abundant in shallow streams and minor tributaries, sometimes at relatively high altitudes, and apparently shows a preference for substrates of …
Aquarium size
Base dimensions of at least 75 ∗ 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
Likely to be a foraging omnivore feeding on worms, insects and other small invertebrates, as well as plant material and organic detritus. In the aquarium it's …
Behaviour and compatibility
Generally very peaceful making it an ideal resident of the well-researched community aquarium. Fishes inhabiting similar biotopes in nature, especially compara…
Sexual dimorphism
Adult males are noticeably slimmer and more colourful than females, especially in the unpaired and ventral fins.
Reproduction
Possibly unrecorded but recommendations for related species are as follows: Like most small cyprinids Pethia spp. are egg-scattering free spawners exhibiting n…
Notes
This species is poorly-known in the aquarium hobby and has a confusing taxonomic history having been considered both synonymous with or a subspecies of the con…
References
References
6 on this profile