Swamp barb (Puntius chola)

Scientific name: Puntius chola Hamilton, 1822

The Swamp barb (Puntius chola) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 20–25°C (68–77°F). Native range: Asia, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Reported from Bhutan.

Swamp barb care at a glance

Temperature: 20–25°C (68–77°F)

Biology

Body deep and compressed; single maxillary pair of barbels present; last simple dorsal ray moderately strong and smooth; lateral line complete with 24-28 scales; scales from dorsal fin origin to lateral line 6 and those from lateral line to pelvic fin origin 4; predorsal scales 11, circumpeduncular scales 14, pre-pelvic scales 11, pre-anal scales 19.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Puntius chola
Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order: Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 15.0
Common length: 8.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 6.5; dH range: 8 - 15 benthopelagic; potamodromous
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Asia: Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Reported from Bhutan.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=1.00-1.10)