Edit Puntius mahecola
You can suggest changes to this profile. A moderator will review each change.
Name
Scientific name
Puntius mahecola
Described by
Authority Valenciennes, Year 1844, Bracketed
Family
Cyprinidae
Common names
Not recorded
Photograph credits
All 11 credited
Summary
Puntius mahecola is a cyprinid from rivers draining much of the Western Ghats mountains in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states, souther…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
75mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 90 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 18–24°C, pH 6–7.5
Hardness
5–15dGH
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, Achankovil, Cauvery, Chalakudy, Kali, Kallada, Meenachil, Periyar, Thamirabarani
Writing
Etymology
mahecola: apparently named for the type locality, Mahé, an enclave forming part of the Union Territory of Puducherry located within the state of Kerala, southw…
Distribution
Described from 'Mahé, Kerala, India', but currently considered to occur in rivers draining much of the Western Ghats mountains in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil …
Habitat
According to Pethiyagoda and Kottelat it inhabits shallow (less than 2 metre deep), slow-flowing sections of rivers over substrates of sand or mud, but flow ra…
Aquarium size
Base dimensions of at least 90 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent are required.
Maintenance
Fairly easy to maintain provided a dedicated maintenance routine is adhered to, with choice of décor is more-or-less down to personal taste. A natural-style ar…
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
This species is generally peaceful and an ideal resident of the well-researched community aquarium. As it places no special demands in terms of water chemistry…
Sexual dimorphism
Adult males are likely to be slightly smaller, slimmer, and display more intense colour pattern than females.
Reproduction
Unrecorded.
Notes
This species is uncommon in the international aquarium trade but quite popular among enthusiasts of native species in India. It has a chaotic taxonomic history…
References
References
9 on this profile