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Males of this species occur in a wide range of colour forms depending on locality, with blue variants being found predominantly (but not exclusively) towards the north of the lake and yellow in the south. This variation, alongside its relatively extensive distribution, has resulted in some taxonomical issues, several of which have not yet been resolved. For example, two forms from the southwest of the lake are referred to as A. sp. "stuartgranti maleri" and A. sp. "stuartgranti mbenji", respectively, and may turn out to be distinct species given their colour patterns an...

This species is much rare in the hobby than its congener A. stigmatias, presumably a reflection of its more remote, restricted natural range. The red pigmentation on the body can vary in both extent and intensity, and apparently begins to fade when the fish have been maintained in aquaria for a period.

The genus Bagarius is distinguished from all other genera in the putative subfamily Sisoridae by having markedly heterodont teeth in the lower jaw. Teeth are present in two or three outer rows of relatively numerous, close-set conical teeth, and one or two inner rows of less numerous, widely separated, and much larger conical teeth (vs. dentition of the lower jaw consisting of only small conical teeth, or a roughened bony plate).

May also be seen on sale under the trade names 'Bala shark' or 'tricolor shark minnow' and perhaps among the most commonly-encountered ornamental fish species. It is unfortunate that the vast majority of those traded are juveniles and tend to come supplied with little to no information provided regarding their potential size and requirements, a fairly ironic situation given the apparently precarious status of wild populations.

Barilius spp. are near-exclusive surface-feeders preying mostly on flying insects in nature with some small fishes and benthic invertebrates probably taken as well but in the aquarium they're largely unfussy and will accept most foods.

Prior to description this species was traded under the DATZ code L047 or the alternative vernacular name 'magnum pleco'. It can be distinguished from congeners by a combination of the following characters: presence of a broad, light-coloured (usually yellowish) distal band on the dorsal and caudal fins throughout life, slightly reduced in adults. The only other member of the genus to possess such bands is B. xanthellus but in that species they are reduced to small markings at the fin tips in adults, and the body is covered in pale, normally yellowish, spots.

Batasio havmolleri (Smith, 1931) is currently considered a junior synonym of B. fluviatilis. Members of the genus Batasio are characterised by the following combination of characters; laterally-compressed body shape; presence of large sensory pores on the head; a narrow mental region; a pair of prominent posterior proces...

Members of the genus Batasio are characterised by the following combination of characters; laterally-compressed body shape; presence of large sensory pores on the head; a narrow mental region; a pair of prominent posterior processes on the anterior portion of the vomer; a transversely elongated, bar-like entopterygoid; close contact between the metapterygoid and quadrate.

This species is also referred to by the vernacular name 'Malay combtail'. In terms of external characters it differs most obviously from its only congener, B. signata by its overal brownish grey (vs. reddish) body colouration and presence of a mosaic-type patterning in the unpaired fins (vs. absence). The position of relatedness of the genus Belontia with respect to other anabantoids remains somewhat...

This species is also traded/referred to by the vernacular name 'Ceylon fighting fish'. It differs from its only congener, B. hasselti, by its overall reddish (vs. brownish-grey) body colouration, and absence (vs. presence) of a mosaic-like patterning in the unpaired fins. At least three putative phenotypes have been recorded. The nominative, and commonest, mostly inhabits clear streams in rainier zones...

Likely to prey on insects and other small invertebrates/zooplankton in nature. Captive fish will normally accept dried products once they're recognised as edible, but should be offered plenty of small live or frozen foods such as Daphnia, Artemia or bloodworm regularly to ensure development of optimal colour and condition. Small insects such as crickets or Drosophila fru...

Presumed endemic to the geographically-isolated Maliau basin, a roughly circular plateau enclosed by hills in Sabah state, Malaysia, Borneo. The Maliau River is part of the much larger Kinabantangan watershed, Malaysia's second longest river. The type series was collected from heath forest alongside 'Puntius' sealei and Hemibagrus cf. baramensis in acidic water with a pH of 4.2-4.8. Adult individuals were spaced around a metre apa...

The easiest way to distinguish these is by examining the throat markings, which vary according to species, and in the case of B. hipposideros form a black horse-shoe shape. It can also be separated from other group members by the following suite of characters: dark blotch on throat joined to black lower lip; presence of transverse bars in dorsal and caudal fins; absence of dark margin in anal-fin; opercle usually with gold scales, without iridescrent green scales; ventral margin of opercle brown; 6.5-7 subdorsal scales (mode 6.5); 9-10 postdorsal scales (mode 9.5); 31-32 lateral scales (mode 32).

It can be told apart from other members of the B. pugnax group by the following characters: caudal fin rounded in both males and females; chin bar and second postorbital stripe absent; adult males possess intensive blue or bluish-green iridescent (blackish in preservation) colouration on the sides of the head and throat extending from the snout tip to posterior edge of opercle; possession of two central body stripes, the upper extending from the pec...

It can be told apart from other members of the B. pugnax group by the following characters: chin bar absent; prsence of transverse bars in the dorsal-fin; no transverse bars in caudal-fin; green iridescent scales present on opercle and body; anal fin with iridescent, light blue distal band; a pair black markings below the postorbital stripe on the opercle of females and juveniles; anal-fin rays 25-29 (mode 28); lateral scales 28-30 (mode 29); postdorsal scales 10-11 (mode 12); pelvic-fin length 34.8-50.6% SL; head length 33.4-36.8% SL; inter-orbital width 31.7-37.4% HL.

Known only from a handful of localities in Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram and Samut Prakan provinces in central Thailand, all of which lie on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Most habitats are in close proximity to Bangkok, which continues to expand rapidly, are considered under extreme threat, and recent surveys have failed to confirm that the fish is still present in Samut Songkhram and Samut Prakan.

B. persephone can be told apart from other members of the group by the following characters: no lateral blotch; body blackish; dorsal surface of head posterior to eye sloping gently; no parallel vertical iridescent gold opercle bars; pelvic-fin falcate with white filamentous tip, remainder black to reddish; median fins covered diffusely with light green iridescence; dorsal fin-rays 9; anal-fin rays 24-27; subdorsal scales 6-7; lateral scales 27-29; predorsal scales 17-18.

This species was previously included in the Betta foerschi group of closely-related species within the genus, but following its redescription in 2012 now lends its name to the B. rubra group. It was first placed into its own species group by Witte and Schmidt (1992), primarily on the basis of a triangular marking that appears below the eyes of the fish, although Tan and Ng (2005) suggested that this feature is insufficient to warrant the fo...

This species was considered a colour form of the closely-related B. imbellis and commonly-referred to as 'black imbellis' prior to description due to its blackish opercle and body. It's also previously been confused with B. splendens due to the colour of the vertical opercular bars which tend to be reddish (but may also be pale red, greenish-silvery, plain silvery or without colour in some populations), but DNA analysis has demonstrated it...

Appears endemic to southern Borneo. The type specimens were collected from the Jelai Bila river basin at Nataik Sedawak, presumably a settlement of some kind, near the town of Sukamara in the Indonesian province of Kalimantan Tengah (Central Kalimantan). Its range extends westwards from the Jelai Bila watershed whereas that of the congener B. brigittae, with which it may occur sympatrically there (see 'Notes'), extends east.