Asoka barb (Puntius asoka)

Scientific name: Puntius asoka Kottelat & Pethiyagoda, 1989

The Asoka barb (Puntius asoka) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 25–30°C (77–86°F). Native range: Asia, upper reaches of the Sitawaka River and its tributaries, and Kelani near Kitulgala, Sri Lanka.

Asoka barb care at a glance

Temperature
25–30°C (77–86°F)

Biology

Found in relatively deep (1-2 m) fast-flowing water, in areas with gravel or sand substrates. Juveniles (1-3cm TL) shoal together in schools of 30-100 individuals in very shallow water (5-25 cm), downstream. Adults occupy deeper water (1-2m), upstream. Usually occupies unshaded areas. Fast swimmers and not easily identified from water surface. Declining numbers due to intensive fishing by fish exporters.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Puntius asoka
Family
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
17.0
Common length
10.0
Depth range
1–2 m (3–7 ft)
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 6.5 - 7.5; dH range: 1 - 18 benthopelagic; depth range 1 - 2 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Asia: upper reaches of the Sitawaka River and its tributaries, and Kelani near Kitulgala, Sri Lanka.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Endangered (EN) (A1c, B1+2c)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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