Edit Puntius sahyadriensis
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Name
Scientific name
Puntius sahyadriensis
Described by
Authority Silas, Year 1953
Family
Cyprinidae
Common names
Maharaja Barb
Photograph credits
All 8 credited
Summary
The maharaja barb, Puntius sahyadriensis, is a cyprinid endemic to the northern and central Western Ghats mountains of India. It lives in h…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
65mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 80 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 18–24°C, pH 6–7.8
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, Aghanashini, Bedti, Bhadra, Koyana, Krishna, Sharavathi, Sita, Tunga, Yenna
Writing
Etymology
sahyadriensis: named for the Western Ghats mountains which are also known by the alternative name 'Sahyadri'.
Distribution
Described from streams of the Yenna river basin, close to the city of Mahabaleshwar, in the Western Ghats mountain range, Satara district, Maharashtra state, I…
Habitat
This species'l stream habitats are generally shaded by the forest canopy and dense marginal vegetation. Substrates are typically composed of boulders, smaller …
Aquarium size
Base dimensions of at least 80 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent are required.
Maintenance
Not difficult to keep in a well-maintained set-up, though we recommend aquascaping the tank to resemble a flowing stream or river with a substrate of variably-…
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. Silas (1953) noted th…
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 develop a more intense colour pattern than females, possess white-tipped pelvic fins, and exhibit noticeable tubercules on the head when in spawnin…
Reproduction
Possibly unrecorded but recommendations for related species are as follows: Like most small cyprinids Puntius spp. are egg-scattering free spawners exhibiting …
Notes
This species is occasionally traded under the alternative name 'Khavli' barb but not a great deal has been written about it or its captive care. It's difficult…
References
References
4 on this profile