Asoka barb (Puntius asoka) fish species and information / pictures of Asoka barb - Puntius asoka

Asoka barb (Puntius asoka) fish species information

Scientific Name
Puntius asoka

Common Name
Asoka barb

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.

Classification

Classified By

Kottelat & Pethiyagoda, 1989

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Carps (Cypriniformes)

Family

Minnows or carps (Cyprinidae)

Distribution

Region

Asia

Distribution

Asia: upper reaches of the Sitawaka River and its tributaries, and Kelani near Kitulgala, Sri Lanka.

Range

8°N - 7°N

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

25 °C

Water Temperature To

30 °C

Depth From - meters

1 m

Depth To - meters

2 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 6.5 - 7.5; dH range: 1 - 18 benthopelagic; depth range 1 - 2 m

Trophic Level

2.78 s.e. 0.31 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

17.0 cm

Common Length

10.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (27 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Endangered (EN) (A1c, B1+2c)