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 Gold Barbs (Puntius semifasciolatus var. schuberti)
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| Cyprinus sophore Hamilton, 1822 |
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About 110, see text |
Puntius[1] is a genus of ray-finned fishes in the family Cyprinidae of the order Cypriniformes. Fishes of this genus are known as the spotted barbs for the predominant pattern, though many have vertical black bands instead. Also, the Spotted Barb proper is one particular species, Puntius binotatus. The name Puntius comes from pungti, a Bangla term for small cyprinids. The type species is the Pool Barb (Puntius sophore), first described as Cyprinus sophore by Hamilton in 1822.
Historically, many species of Puntius have been classified in several genera, including Barbus. Despite the reclassifications, the specific epithet remains the same in these - except in cases of homonymies -, as Barbus and Puntius have the same grammatical gender. The closest living relatives of the spotted barbs are the Cyprinion barbs, the Assamese Kingfish (Semiplotus semiplotus), and perhaps the Capoeta barbs[2]
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Description
Fishes of the genus Puntius are found in Southeast Asia and India, including Sri Lanka. The maximum size for an adult of this genus is less than 25 cm (10 in), typically 15 cm (3 in), and many species only achieve around 5 cm (2 in) adult length. In appearance they may resemble miniature carp and are often brightly coloured or patterned. Those species of the Puntius conchonius (Rosy Barb) subgroup are notably high-bodied.
These fishes are omnivorous; their diet includes small invertebrates and plant matter. Breeding is by egg scattering and takes place close to the bottom, near or within areas of dense plant growth. They do not show parental care, and adults may eat the young.
In the aquarium
These small tropical barbs are commonly kept as inhabitants of a warm water aquarium, and many species are commercially available. They are easy to feed, taking a wide variety of foods including dried food. Note that these inquisitive fish are active and unafraid, and many species have a reputation as "fin-nippers". These are unsuitable for aquaria with slow-moving, long-finned species.
Commonly-kept Puntius species include:[3]
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Species
There are many species:[5]
Puntius cochonius subgroup
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Footnotes
- ^ FishBase (2006)
- ^ See Haaramo (2008a) for sources
- ^ Lambert (1997): p.14, Mills (2002)
- ^ a b Sometimes called "Punticus odessae" or similar nomina nuda in error. May be related to P. didi, P. tiantian or P. manipurensis.
- ^ See Haaramo (2008b)
References
"Puntius". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. 05 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
- Haaramo, Mikko (2008a): Mikko's Phylogeny Archive - Cyprinidae. Version of 2008-MAR-17. Retrieved 2008-JUN-29.
- Haaramo, Mikko (2008b): Mikko's Phylogeny Archive - Puntius. Version of 2008-MAR-11. Retrieved 2008-JUN-29.
- Lambert, Derek J. (1997): Freshwater Aquarium Fish. Chartwell Books, Edison, New Jersey. ISBN 0-7858-0867-1
- Mills, Dick (2002): The Bumper Book of Tropical Aquarium Fishes (2nd ed.). Interpet Publishing. ISBN 1842860747
External links
- Article on P synderi and comparison with P semifasciolatus, see: http://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/45.2/149.pdf
- Genetic studies of some South Asian Puntius species, see:
- http://www.journalarchive.jst.go.jp/jnlpdf.php?cdjournal=pjab1977&cdvol=53&noissue=6&startpage=231&lang=en&from=jnltoc
- http://www.journalarchive.jst.go.jp/jnlpdf.php?cdjournal=pjab1977&cdvol=53&noissue=7&startpage=282&lang=en&from=jnltoc
- Puntius stoliczkanus http://nels.nii.ac.jp/els/contents_disp.php?id=ART0006479298&type=pdf&lang=en&host=cinii&order_no=Z00000014593846&ppv_type=0&lang_sw=&no=1203405309&cp=
- Puntius phylogenetic tree http://www.bmnh.org/PDFs/FB_04_Science.pdf
