Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822)
Pool barb
Puntius sophore
photo by Khan, M.M.

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Smiliogastrinae
Max. size:  20 cm NG (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; pH range: 8, amphidromous
Distribution:  Asia: Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Yunnan, China (Ref. 4832), Bhutan (Ref. 40882) and Afghanistan (Ref. 41034)
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal soft rays: 8-8
Biology:  Adults inhabit rivers, streams and ponds in plains and submontane regions (Ref. 41236). Collected from a large river with high turbid monsoon flow and with diverse substrate consisting of sand, mud, gravel, pebble, cobble, and boulders (Ref. 85713). A very plentiful shoaling fish. They remain small in domestic aquaria and become mature at 7 to 8 cm (Ref. 4832).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 March 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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