Pethia gelius
Pethia gelius (Hamilton, 1822)
Golden barb
photo by Mahalder, B.

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Smiliogastrinae
Max. size:  5.1 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 0.6 g
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6 - 7; dH range: 10
Distribution:  Asia: Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Widely transported around the world and quite popular with aquarists.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal soft rays: 8-8. This species can be diagnosed from all congeners by the combination of the following characters: lateral line incomplete, with 3-4 pored scales; 21-22 + 1 scales in lateral series, ½4/1/2½ scales in transverse line on body; 8 predorsal scales; last unbranched dorsal-fin ray thick, straight, serrated, with 20-25 serrae on posterior margin; barbels absent; a broad black band around the caudal peduncle covering scales 19-21 in the longitudinal series. Three diffuse black blotches on the body, first behind opercle, second below dorsal-fin origin, third above anal-fin origin. Black spot at base and origins of dorsal, anal and pelvic fins (Ref. 94011).
Biology:  Adults occur in rivers and standing water over silt and mud (Ref. 41236). They feed on small crustaceans and insects (Ref. 7020). Migratory behaviour is undetermined (Ref. 126106).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 March 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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