Edit Puntius vittatus

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Name

Scientific name

Puntius vittatus

Described by

Authority Day, Year 1865

Family

Cyprinidae

Common names

Greenstripe Barb

Photograph credits

All 7 credited

Summary

The greenstripe barb, Puntius vittatus, is a small cyprinid widely distributed in India, with further populations in Pakistan and Sri Lanka…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

45mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 75 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 18–26°C, pH 6–7.5

Hardness

2–12dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indus

Writing

Etymology

vittatus: from the Latin vittatus, meaning ‘striped, banded’.

Distribution

Described from 'Cochin, India' which corresponds to the city of Kochi in Ernakulam district, Keral state, southwestern India and according to current thinking …

Habitat

Most commonly occurs in lowland streams, minor tributaries, pools, irrigation channels, and rice paddies, displaying a preference for substrates of mud or silt…

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…

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 floating plants and driftwood roots or branches to diffuse the light entering the tank also seems to be appreciated and adds a more natural feel.

Filtration does not need to be particularly strong though it does seem to appreciate a degree of water movement and will also do well in a hill stream-type set-up.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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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, and nuptial individuals develop rows of tiny t…

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

Though widely-distributed in nature this species is not an especially popular aquarium fish and is sometimes referred to as 'kooli barb'. It can be told apart …

References

5 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References