Two spot barb (Puntius cumingii)

Scientific name: Puntius cumingii G?nther, 1868

The Two spot barb (Puntius cumingii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–27°C (72–81°F).

Two spot barb care at a glance

Temperature: 22–27°C (72–81°F)

Biology

Yellow finned variety usually occurs in flowing water and stays close to the substrate. Red finned variety inhabits slow flowing waters of marshes in the Kelani Valley foothills, associated with mud or silt bottoms. Forms medium sized shoals. Matures at 3 cm and spawns during rainy season. Feeds on green algae, plankton and detritus. Population with strongly bifurcate caudal fin from introduced Mahaweli stock.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Puntius cumingii
Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order: Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 5.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 5.5 - 6.5; dH range: ? - 15 benthopelagic
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Asia: endemic to Sri Lanka. Occurs mainly at the south western wet zone, from the Kelani to the Gin basins. Range extends north of the Kelani, into the swamps around Gampaha and northwards. Introduced into the Perdeniya Gardens in the Mahaweli basin and is well established between Gampola and Ginigathena.
Conservation status (IUCN): Lower Risk: conservation dependent (LR/cd)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)