Blackspot barb (Puntius filamentosus)

Scientific name: Puntius filamentosus Valenciennes, 1844

The Blackspot barb (Puntius filamentosus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows to about 15 cm (5.9 in). It is easy to keep and peaceful, needs carefully chosen tank mates and needs a tank of at least 210 L (55 US gal) and water at 20–24°C (68–75°F). Native range: Mainland South Asia, streams and rivers in southern India and Sri Lanka.

Blackspot barb care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Peaceful
Community tank
With caution
Adult size
15 cm (5.9 in)
Minimum tank
210 L (55 US gal)
Temperature
20–24°C (68–75°F)

Biology

Adults differ from all other South Asian Puntius by a combination of the following characters: branched dorsal-fin rays prolonged into filament-like extensions in adult males only; a black band about as wide as the eye near tip of each caudal-fin lobe; lower lip continuous; a caudal blotch on 2-5 scales, commencing posterior to anal-fin origin; no distinct markings on body in advance of anal-fin origin. Distinguished from P. assimilis by possessing a subterminal mouth (vs. Inferior); maxillary barbels shorter, 0.5-2.2 of SL % (vs. 5.5-9.3%); post-orbital head length 11.0-12.1% of SL (vs. 8.7-10.4%); and interorbital width 11.2-12.2% of SL (vs. 10.0-11.1%).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Puntius filamentosus
Family
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
18.0
Common length
11.0
Environment
Freshwater; brackish;; pH range: 6.0 - 6.5; dH range: ? - 15 benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Asia: India
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

More barbs, danios & rasboras

See all barbs, danios & rasboras

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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