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Malabar baril (Barilius gatensis) — Cyprinidae

Malabar baril

Barilius gatensis
Family: Cyprinidae

The Malabar baril (Barilius gatensis) is a fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

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Description

The Malabar baril is a cyprinid (Danionidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of the Western Ghats in southern India. The species grows to about 14 cm and has a slender, streamlined, silvery body with a row of blue cross-blotches or bars on the flank. As a fast, schooling surface fish it swims in clear mountain streams and snaps at insects falling on the water, and at larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Malabar baril?

The Malabar baril is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Malabar baril live?

The Malabar baril is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Malabar baril get?

The Malabar baril grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Malabar baril dangerous to humans?

No, the Malabar baril is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Malabar baril (Barilius gatensis) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) sandeep sujit Seelam, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Malabar baril (Barilius gatensis) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Sujay G, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Malabar baril (Barilius gatensis) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) stanrenoldo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Malabar baril (Barilius gatensis) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) sumanjumani, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Malabar baril sourced
Scientific name
Barilius gatensis
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
River-carp baril

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
14 sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Barilius

More from the family Cyprinidae

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