Edit Puntius bimaculatus
You can suggest changes to this profile. A moderator will review each change.
Name
Scientific name
Puntius bimaculatus
Described by
Authority Bleeker, Year 1863, Bracketed
Family
Cyprinidae
Common names
Two-spotted Barb
Photograph credits
All 9 credited
Summary
The two-spotted barb, Puntius bimaculatus, is a small cyprinid from Sri Lanka and southern India. It lives in flowing hill streams and quie…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
50mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 18–24°C, pH 6–7.5
Hardness
2–15dGH
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, Sri Lanka, Bedti, Cauvery, Chalakudy, Ekachi, Hemavathi, Kaveri, Kundlakamma, Moyar, Nilwala, Paleru, Phansad, Tambraparni
Writing
Etymology
bimaculatus: from the Latin bi, meaning 'two', and macula, meaning 'spot', in reference to this species' colour pattern.
Distribution
Described from Sri Lanka where it's known from the Nilwala River drainage but also widely-distributed throughout river basins of southern India in the states o…
Habitat
Inhabits a variety of habitat-types, from flowing hill streams to quieter stretches in the middle reaches of rivers, but tends to be absent from lowland enviro…
Aquarium size
Base dimensions of at least 60 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent are required.
Maintenance
Best kept in a densely-planted tank and an excellent choice for the carefully-aquascaped set-up. The addition of some floating plants and driftwood roots or br…
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 females are larger and bulkier than males whereas males are more colourful.
Reproduction
Like most small cyprinids Puntius spp. are egg-scattering free spawners exhibiting no parental care. When in good condition they will spawn often and in a matu…
Notes
This species is sometimes referred to by the alternative vernacular name 'redside barb'. Following Menon and Devi (1992)[3] it can be told apart from other Ind…
References
References
5 on this profile