Edit Pethia sharmai
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Name
Scientific name
Pethia sharmai
Described by
Authority Menon & Rema Devi, Year 1993, Bracketed
Family
Cyprinidae
Common names
Not recorded
Photograph credits
All 4 credited
Summary
Pethia sharmai is a small cyprinid known only from a handful of localities around Chennai in Tamil Nadu, India. It mostly inhabits ponds an…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
40mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement Low: still or sluggish water
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 20–26°C, pH 5.5–7.5
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, Chembarambakkam Lake
Writing
Etymology
sharmai: named for Bharat R. Sharma of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
Distribution
Described from 'Mogappair, West Annanagar, Madras, Tamil Nadu, India' and currently known only from a handful of localities in the vicinity of Chennai (formerl…
Habitat
Mostly inhabits freshwater ponds and lakes, many of which are in urban areas and under pressure from urbanisation and other anthropogenic influences. At Chemba…
Aquarium size
Base dimensions of at least 60 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent are required.
Maintenance
Best kept in a densely-planted tank and is an excellent choice for the carefully-aquascaped set-up. The addition of some floating plants and driftwood roots or…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Probably a micropredator feeding on small insects, worms, crustaceans and other zooplankton in nature. In the aquarium it will accept dried foods of a suitable…
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
Mature females are noticeably rounder-bellied, often a little larger and less-intensively coloured than males.
Reproduction
Unrecorded.
Notes
This species is almost unheard of in the aquarium hobby outside of India but is maintained by some private collectors. It's distinguished from similar species …
References
References
4 on this profile