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Spotted barb (Pethia punctata) — Cyprinidae

Spotted barb

Pethia punctata
Family: Cyprinidae

The Spotted barb (Pethia punctata) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Spotted barb is a small cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of clear rivers of southern India. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a stocky, silvery body. The body bears a few small dark spots. As a schooling fish it lives in clear streams and rivers and eats small invertebrates, insects, algae and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted barb?

The Spotted barb has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Spotted barb live?

The Spotted barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Spotted barb get?

The Spotted barb grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Spotted barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted barb is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Stip-barbeel sourced
English name
Spotted barb sourced
Scientific name
Pethia punctata
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pethia

More from the family Cyprinidae

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